Bring Game Time Anywhere With the Best Gaming Phones

Who would have thought mobile gaming would become a mainstream phenomenon? Nowadays, you do not have to own a bulky computer or console to start playing video games. The best gaming phones let you play the high-end titles anytime and anywhere.

A quick Google search would reveal thousands of results for the most powerful gaming smartphones. However, it will take too long to check each option. Fortunately, this article will give a quick overview of each of the most popular gaming phones currently available.

As a seasoned gamer, you would probably recognize many of these brands. Otherwise, you might be surprised to see regular brands offer gaming phones. After that, we will discuss choosing the best options and alternatives yourself.

Here are the ten top-rated gaming phones of 2022:

1. Asus ROG Phone 5 – Overall best gaming phone
2. Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 – The best choice for quick charging
3. Black Shark 4 – A great gamer phone for your budget
4. Nubia Red Magic 7 – Another excellent budget gamer phone
5. OnePlus 10 Pro – A top-rated and well-rounded gaming smartphone
6. iPhone 13 Pro Max – An ideal smartphone for iOS gaming
7. Samsung Galaxy S22 – One of the best phones for casual gaming

1. Asus ROG Phone 5 – Overall best gaming phone

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ROG stands for “Republic of Gamers,” so you would expect the best features from this device. Fortunately, the Asus ROG Phone 5 delivers results with flying colors.

The Taiwanese brand merges the power of the SnapDragon 888 chip with the smoothness of 16GB RAM to provide a seamless experience. Expect a buttery 144Hz each time you game.

The ROG Phone 5’s design improves the visuals by giving the user a large screen. It also keeps you in the zone by blaring sound with its two front-facing speakers.

More importantly, this blows the other best gaming phones out of the water with its responsive shoulder buttons. You can map them to whatever function you want in your favorite video games.

For example, you could map the right shoulder button to the “Fire” button of Call of Duty: Mobile. As a result, the Asus ROG Phone 5 allows you to play like it is on a PS4 or Xbox Series X.

Additionally, this ROG Phone follows the aesthetic of its laptop brothers. You may tweak the settings so that your phone flashes various colors.

Another significant feature is its massive 6,000mAh battery. Expect to play longer with the Asus ROG Phone 5 than the other gaming phones. It also charges at 65W, so you can restart game time as soon as possible.

Note that the ROG Phone 5 is a dedicated gaming phone. Its other non-gaming features, such as its front and rear cameras, might be lacking.

Expect this gaming phone and others to be heavier than regular phones. These devices must fit larger parts to provide beefier graphics, performance, and battery life.

You will not mind this trade-off if you want a gaming phone. You can get the utmost benefits if you pick the Asus ROG Phone 5.

Asus ROG Phone 5 features

• Screen: 6.78 inches
• CPU: Snapdragon 888
• RAM: 8GB or 16GB
• Storage: 128GB or 256GB
• Front camera: 24MP
• Rear camera: 5MP, 13MP, and 64MP
• Battery: 6,000mAh
• Price: $999.99

2. Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 – The best choice for quick charging

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Modern phones typically run out of battery life daily, even for regular tasks like instant messaging and web browsing. Mobile gaming demands more energy from smartphones!

That is why you want a gaming phone that can recharge as soon as possible. Fortunately, the Lenovo Legion Phone Dual 2 has you covered. It charges more power than the ROG Phone.

The Legion’s fast charging provides 90W, while the Asus only gives 65W. Unlike the ROG phone, it also has two cooling fans that work in tandem with a vapor chamber.

They help lower the gamer phone temperature so that you can preserve your batteries. As a result, the Lenovo Legion Phone will likely maintain constant daily battery life.

Like the ROG, this gamer phone also has shoulder buttons. However, it provides more control by giving the user two rear capacitive touchpoints and four ultrasonic shoulder keys.

The Lenovo Legion Phone lets you focus on the action instead of constantly making sure you are tapping the right on-screen buttons. The solid buttons make it easier to “get a feel” for the controls.

This gaming phone is also an excellent choice for streaming. The selfie camera pops out from the side, so you can immediately start a Twitch stream whenever and whenever.

It also lets you take photos with a 44MP camera, and the selfie camera has 5MP, 13MP, and 64MP lenses. However, the Asus ROG remains in the number one spot because it performs better.

You have a higher chance of experiencing lag on the Lenovo Legion than the Asus Phone. Still, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is one of the best gaming phones.

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 features

• Screen: 6.92 inches
• CPU: Snapdragon 888
• RAM: 12GB, 16GB, or 18GB
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB
• Front camera: 44MP
• Rear camera: 5MP, 13MP, and 64MP
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Price: $824.00

3. Xiaomi Black Shark 4 – A great gaming phone for your budget

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The best gaming phones often come with the highest prices. That is why many people struggle to get their first gaming smartphone. Fortunately, the Black Shark 4 is one of the most affordable options.

This gaming phone costs $679.00, which is lower than the prices of similar alternatives. You will see above that the ROG phone costs a thousand bucks, while the Legion Phone is worth $824.

Like the previous entries, the Black Shark 4 has physical triggers. You can pop them out while gaming, then hides them once you finish.

Even the best gaming phones need to take a break from mobile games, except the Xiaomi gaming phone. You could get its clip-on charger so that you can play nonstop.

You may also get the gamepad accessory that lets you play mobile games without touching the screen. Unfortunately, the other gaming phones we discussed provide this convenience without an extra accessory.

The Xiaomi Black Shark 4 also has a much weaker CPU than the earlier options. Those have a Snapdragon 888, but this one only has the inferior Snapdragon 870.

Additionally, this baby shark only has a battery capacity of 4,500mAh. Expect this gamer phone to have a shorter battery life than the other best gaming phones.

This gamer phone also has 120W fast charging, which allows this to refill the juice within 15 minutes. However, the short battery life doesn’t make that worth it.

If you want one of the cheaper dedicated gaming phones, then the Xiaomi might be for you. You might need to curb your expectations for a mobile gaming experience.

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 features

• Screen: 6.67 inches
• CPU: Snapdragon 870
• RAM: 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB
• Storage: 256GB or 512GB
• Front camera: 20MP
• Rear camera: 5MP, 8MP, and 48MP
• Battery: 4,500mAh
• Price: $679.00

4. Nubia Red Magic 7 – Another excellent budget gaming phone

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It is a lot easier to play games on Android phones nowadays. You can find numerous gaming phones that can fit your budget. Besides the Xiaomi Black Shark, you might want to try the Nubia Red Magic 7.

It costs roughly $699, which is close to the Xiaomi phone’s price. Yet, it has a larger screen that is 6.8 inches. It also delivers a refresh rate of 165Hz so you can expect a smooth gaming experience.

You might be surprised that it can handle demanding mobile games with little to no issues. The secret of the Red Magic lies in its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU.

It also has 65W fast charging like the ROG Phone. Despite its top-notch hardware, various flaws keep it from becoming the ultimate gaming phone.

The design makes it seem like a gleaming blue and purple crystal. If you are not fond of flashy smartphones, you might not like the Nubia Red Magic 7.

It has dedicated gaming features like the previous entries. Unfortunately, you may find it bulky in your hands. After a few hours of gaming, you might feel the Red Magic becoming too warm.

It has cooling fans that take longer to reduce the phone’s temperature. The Nubia has fast charging capabilities similar to the ROG, but it has a smaller battery capacity.

It can only handle 4,500mAh, so do not expect long battery life for your daily gaming experience. Recharging this powerful gaming phone requires a longer duration.

Aside from the lackluster battery life, it has some of the weakest cameras in the gaming phone market. Still, avid mobile gamers may not mind if they just demand a hardcore gaming experience.

Besides the Xiaomi Black Shark 4, The Nubia Red Magic 7 is still the best gaming smartphone for tight budgets. However, other future brands provide more powerful gaming-focused phones.

Nubia Red Magic 7 features

• Screen: 6.8 inches
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• RAM: 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB
• Storage: 256GB or 512GB
• Front camera: 8MP
• Rear camera: 2MP, 8MP, and 68MP
• Battery: 4,500mAh
• Price: $699.00

5. OnePlus 10 Pro – A top-rated and well-rounded gaming smartphone

Photo Credit: www.forbes.com

Maybe you are not looking for dedicated gaming phones. Perhaps you want one that is also great for regular tasks such as taking high-quality photos.

If these qualities apply to you, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a highly-recommended option. Like the mobile phones on this list, it has a triple camera setup. Yet, it offers a much higher resolution with its 8MP, 48MP, and 50 MP lenses.

The OnePlus 10 Pro is ideal for playing games thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU. You could even choose the model with 12GB of RAM.

What makes this gamer phone special is its upgraded Gaming Mode. The OnePlus 10 Pro automatically activates when you open any mobile game. It blocks notifications so that nothing messes with your gaming prowess.

Additionally, the Gaming Mode increases App launch speed and improves network data. As a result, you gain performance and reduce lag while playing.

You might want to be aware of important messages while playing, though. You could toggle this feature in the Game Space App if that is the case. Also, you can choose which games will run on Gaming Mode.

Unfortunately, the OnePlus 10 Pro does not have excellent battery life. It has a 5,000mAh capacity with 60W fast charging but a poor cooling system.

The phone is more likely to accumulate heat that damages the battery over time. As a result, you might find yourself charging the OnePlus 10 Pro often.

Nevertheless, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a good gaming phone that handles regular smartphone tasks. It can take the most demanding games while providing excellent picture quality.

OnePlus 10 Pro features

• Screen: 6.7 inches
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• RAM: 8GB or 12GB
• Storage: 128GB or 256GB
• Front camera: 32MP
• Rear camera: 8MP, 48MP, and 50MP
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Price: $899.00

6. iPhone 13 Pro Max – An ideal smartphone for iOS gaming

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Did you expect one of the mainstream phones on this list? You will not often hear Apple fans clamor for the next gaming phone, but perhaps it is because the iPhone 13 Pro Max covers their needs.

It brings the gaming performance you need with Apple’s signature sleek design. It uses the powerful A15 chip to provide a refresh rate of 120Hz.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a stunning 6.7-inch OLED display to show your favorite mobile games in crisp high resolution. 

Depending on your choice, your iPhone 13 Pro Max can have 1TB of storage for all your favorite titles. Fortunately, the Apple App store has excellent options nowadays.

You couldn’t play the most popular smartphone games on iPhones years ago. Now, you can play hit titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Valorant, and Call Of Duty: Mobile.

Unfortunately, most phones on this list can outclass the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s gaming specifications. For example, it lacks the physical buttons of the other entries.

Most mobile gamers expect to have the convenience of having shoulder buttons for haptic feedback. Otherwise, they will have to keep peeking at the controls while playing.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max does not have a feature like the OnePlus 10 Pro’s gamer mode. As a result, it may heat up faster than other gamer phones. You might also reduce its battery life earlier than expected.

Worse, it costs roughly $1,099, which is leagues higher than the other recommendations on this list. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is still a great option for Apple fans.

If you want better quality, you may wait until next year for the iPhone 14. It will offer better camera quality while replacing the old screen notch with a small punch-hole notch. Additionally, you could get the iPhone SE as a budget phone for iOS.

iPhone 13 Pro Max features

• Screen: 6.7 inches
• CPU: Apple A15 Bionic chip
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
• Front camera: 12MP
• Rear camera: 12MP, 12MP, and 12MP
• Battery: 4,374mAh
• Price: $1,099.00

7. Samsung Galaxy S22 – One of the best phones for casual gaming

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We cannot forget the worldwide king of mobile devices, Samsung. Its Galaxy S22 is a great choice if you just play for a few hours to take a break.

It has an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate that is bright enough to retain image quality under direct sunlight. The Samsung Galaxy S22 also boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor.

It also has a powerful rear camera that delivers 100x Space Zoom. The Samsung Galaxy S22 also has S-Pen support and houses the stylus in its body.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a Game Launcher and Game Tools if you want dedicated gaming capabilities. The former lets you optimize your phone’s performance for each game.

Meanwhile, the Game Tools allows you to adjust the resolution, record videos conveniently, and take screenshots. This feature is excellent if you regularly post gaming-related content.

Unfortunately, this jack-of-all-trades does not meet typical high-quality gaming specifications. It might be a great phone if you want similar performance to the iPhone 13 Pro Max for only $799.

However, the Samsung Galaxy S22 has the smallest battery capacity out of all the other entries. It only has 3,700mAh, so intensive gaming action can quickly drain battery life.

You might not mind the limited battery life if you just play for a couple of hours. Otherwise, you could choose the other entries for better performance.

Samsung Galaxy S22 features

• Screen: 6.1 inches
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB or 256GB
• Front camera: 10MP
• Rear camera: 10MP, 12MP, and 50MP
• Battery: 3,700mAh
• Price: $799.00

How to choose the right gaming phone

We just discussed some of the top-rated gamer phones of the year, but you can find more on the internet. You could easily find alternatives if these suggestions do not meet your expectations.

Selecting the best among them will require more effort, though. You must know the criteria for the best gamer smartphones, so you can approach your search as an iOS or Android user.

You can easily find the best gamer phone if you are an Apple fan. Look for the latest iPhone, which will have the most current gaming specifications for iOS.

What makes the iPhone interesting is that the Apple App Store curates its library. You do not have to worry about unintentionally installing a poorly optimized title.

What’s more, the Apple Arcade boosts your selection. For $4.99 a month, you gain access to over 200 mobile titles such as NBA 2K22.

As a result, the Apple Arcade subscription service may seem like great value. Phone games typically cost $4.99, but the service provides hundreds more for the same price.

Check the Display quality.

If you use Android, you will need to pay more attention to the options. That is because you can find numerous brands offering various Android phone models.

Look above and see that this list included various specifications for each phone. You should start by looking at the Display specs since it determines how well your games would look.

Brands convey the display quality in terms of resolution. It expresses this metric in pixels (p), and the best ones provide QHD or UHD resolution.

The former means Quad High Definition, delivering 1440p or 2K resolution. On the other hand, UHD stands for Ultra High Definition, offering 2160p or 4K resolution.

Look at the CPU.

You must also verify the quality of a gamer phone’s central processing unit or CPU. It is the chips that we kept mentioning with each recommendation.

You may think of it as the smartphone’s brain. It handles all the processes of your device, from power management to game operation. Smartphones have become so powerful thanks to their advanced chipsets.

Like regular computers, modern smartphones can have CPUs that run multiple cores. Unfortunately, the rule of thumb of looking for higher numbers is not likely to apply to mobile CPUs.

For example, an octa-core CPU has eight cores, but you may find hexa-core CPUs that can outperform it. Instead of looking for bigger numbers, it is easier to look for phones that at least have last year’s chipset.

Check for RAM.

Random Access Memory handles temporary processes to processes that a computer undergoes for specific tasks. Once the work finishes, the device immediately gets rid of RAM data.

You need the highest RAM to handle the most demanding game titles. It will allow your phone to load high-definition graphics without slowing down or crashing your games.

At the time of writing, the largest amount of RAM for gamer phones is 16GB. Looking at the previous list, you will notice that the top recommendations have that much capacity.

Conclusion

Modern phone games can rival the quality of many PC and console games. That is why you can find several smartphones designed to run them with the best graphics and highest frame rates.

You can easily read about them in articles like this, but it is best to test gaming phones yourself. Try heading to your local smartphone retailer to choose a suitable device.

You may also want to keep up to date with the latest smartphone models. In that case, follow the leading digital publisher Inquirer USA for the most recent tech news.

Frequently asked questions

Which phones are used by gamers?

Here are some of the best phones used by video game enthusiasts. Note that other choices exist, such as the Sony Xperia 1 III and the other Xiaomi Black Shark phones:

1. Asus ROG Phone 5
2. Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2
3. Black Shark 4
4. Nubia Red Magic 7
5. OnePlus 10 Pro
6. iPhone 13 Pro Max
7. Samsung Galaxy S22

What is the best gaming phone?

The best smartphone for gaming so far is the Asus ROG Phone 5. It delivers high-quality graphics and aesthetics that most hardcore gamers want.

What is the cheapest gaming phone?

The Xiaomi Black Shark 4 is the best gaming phone for people on a limited budget. The price starts at $679.00, which is significantly lower than others on the market.

What should I look for when buying a gamer phone?

Prioritize the CPU, Display, and RAM when looking for the best gaming phone. They determine the image quality and refresh rate of your games.

What phone is suitable for Call of Duty?

Most modern phones can run Call of Duty: Mobile, but you might want to choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. It is the top-rated choice right now as it can run that game in crisp and smooth detail.