Best Gaming Phones 2022: Some smartphones are built for playing games and feel like gaming consoles in your hands. These phones are very different from regular phones in terms of performance, design, features, and cooling mechanism. Granted, there are some regular phones that can play games but phones designed for playing games are better gaming phones.
In this post, our experts have picked the top 6 best gaming smartphones you can buy in 2022. To make it easier, we’ve placed these phones into categories ranging from the overall best gaming phone to the most budget gaming phone. Also, in each category, we included the best alternative for that gaming phone that is cheaper but retains similar features and performance.
See Also: Best camera phones 2022: Phones with the best camera quality and features
Three years back, there were very few gaming phones on the market. But now, more companies are making more gaming phones and this is because the interest in gaming phones is increasing every year. Remember, whatever your budget, there is a gaming phone that fits your need and budget. And to get the best from this post, it’s good you go through all gaming phones in this best gaming phones 2022 list.
Best Gaming Phones 2022
1. Asus Rog Phone 6 Pro (Overall Best)
Asus Rog Phone 6 Pro Key features
Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
GPU | Adreno 730 |
Software | Android 12, ROG Gaming X UI 5.0 |
Display | 6.78-inch, AMOLED, 165Hz |
Triggers | Physical Gaming triggers |
Cooling Features | External Fan(AeroActive Cooler) 3D vapor-chamber |
Battery | 6,000mAh (65W) |
The Rog Phone 6 Pro is the overall best gaming phone of 2022 and for good reasons. The performance of this phone is fueled by one of the best chipsets of 2022. And to further improve its performance, the device is paired with an external fan that efficiently cools down the temperature of the phone and allows it to play games for a very long time without throttling or dropping frame rates. It also has a very fast display with a 165Hz and very fast touch sampling rate.
See Also: Buy Rog Phone 6 or Phone 6 Pro using Coupon Codes and save money
The display is very responsive and its gaming triggers are very easy to reach to use. Rog Phone 6 Pro also comes with its own custom gaming settings to customize your gaming experience. It’s powered by a massive 6,000mAh battery that has support for a 65W fast charge and you can simultaneously charge the device using two USB Type-C ports. However, the Rog Phone 6 Pro is not cheap because it comes in a single 18GB RAM and 512GB storage and it’s sold for $1,599 (the white version is more expensive).
Buy Asus Rog Phone 6 Pro
Rog Phone 6 Pro | Price | Coupon |
Buy on Giztop | $1,599 | ALEXWANG |
Asus Rog Phone 6 (Best Rog Phone 6 Pro alternative)
The non-PRO version of the Rog Phone 6 is the best alternative to buy if you can’t get the Rog Phone 6 Pro. The regular Asus Rog Phone 6 has the same chipset, the same display, the same software, the same gaming triggers, the same cooling, the same battery, and the same charging features as the PRO version. But, it has a smaller RAM and storage size. So, if you want the same performance as the PRO version but want to save money, you’ll have to compromise on RAM and storage and get the regular Rog Phone 6.
Buy Asus ROG Phone 6
ROG Phone 6 | Price | Coupon |
Buy on Giztop | $749 | ALEXWANG |
2. Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro (Best Affordable Gaming Phone)
Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro Key features
Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
GPU | Adreno 730 |
Software | Android 12, RedMagic OS 5.5 |
Display | 6.8-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz |
Triggers | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing) |
Cooling Features | Built-in cooling fan Aviation aluminum middle frame |
Battery | 5,000mAh (135W) |
The Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro is the most affordable premium gaming phone you can buy in 2022. This device has the same level of performance as the Rog Phone 6 Pro above but is at least $400 cheaper than that phone. The Red Magic 7S Pro has a built-in cooling fan, an air duct that sucks in the fresh air, and another air duct where the fan blows out warm air. The performance of this phone is incredible and it can play any type of game you throw at it. It does not lag, throttle, or drop frame rates quickly.
See Also: Asus Rog Phone 6 Pro vs Red Magic 7S Pro: which is a better gaming phone
Its front camera is under the screen and this gives you access to use the full screen. It has pressure-sensitive zones that serve as gaming triggers and it also features a dedicated Nubia chipset that helps the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. Its gaming UI is highly customizable to fit your need. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and has a whooping 135W fast charge. All these features and performance you can get for just $1,099 (16GB + 512GB). The model with 12GB + 256GB is sold for $939.
Buy Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro
Red Magic 7S Pro | Price | Coupon Code |
Buy on Giztop | $939 | ALEXWANG |
Nubia Red Magic 7S (Best Red Magic 7S Pro alternative)
The regular Red Magic 7S is a perfect gaming phone to buy if you want to save even more money on a premium gaming phone. It is affordable (the price starts at $729) and has the same performance as the PRO version. Even the model with 16GB + 512GB is sold for $1,039 making it a very good alternative if you can’t get the PRO version above. But, it has a smaller 4,500mAh battery, and its base model comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage.
Buy Nubia Red Magic 7S
Red Magic 7S | Price |
Buy on Giztop | $729.00 |
3. Redmi K50 Gaming (Best Budget Gaming Phone)
Redmi K50 Gaming Key features
Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
GPU | Adreno 730 |
Software | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
Display | 6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz |
Triggers | Physical magnetic pop-up gaming triggers |
Cooling Features | VC cooling area of 4860mm². |
Battery | 4,700mAh (120W) |
The Redmi K50 Gaming phone is the best budget gaming smartphone you can buy in 2022. This phone is currently sold for $599 (12GB + 256GB) and it features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip that has incredible performance. Redmi K50 Gaming has an impressive 6.67-inch AMOLED display with support for a 120Hz smooth refresh rate. It also has Physical magnetic pop-up gaming triggers on the frame to aid in gaming.
See Also: Best Chinese Phones 2022: Top 6 Smartphones to buy in China
Its 4,700mAh battery features a 120W fast charge and it also has a CyberEngine ultra-wideband motor. The motor has a large volume of 560mm³ and also brings support for ultra-wide frequencies of 50Hz to 500Hz. The fact this device has all these features and its 12GB model is priced below $600 makes it worthy to be on the best gaming phones 2022 list (the Redmi K50 Gaming is also known as POCO F4 GT in some regions).
Buy Redmi K50 Gaming (POCO F4 GT)
Redmi K50 Gaming | Price |
Buy on Giztop | $499 |
Buy on Amazon | $604.99 |
Buy on Amazon UK | £674.85 |
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (Best Redmi K50 Gaming alternative)
The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is another good gaming phone to buy if you can’t get the Redmi K50 Gaming. But, it features a less-performing Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and has a slightly smaller 4,500mAh battery. However, it has the same display features and the same charging solution. It also has an impressive Sandwich liquid-cooled system made of two 100mm liquid cooling units placed on the two sides of the motherboard.
Buy Black Shark 5 RS
Black Shark 5 RS | Price |
Buy on Giztop | $599.00 |
4. Xiaomi 12S Ultra (Best regular gaming phone)
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Key features
Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
GPU | Adreno 730 |
Software | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
Display | 6.73-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz |
Cooling Features | Vapour Chamber liquid-cooling |
Battery | 4,860mAh (67W) |
If you prefer a regular phone that can play games without throttling, lagging, or dropping frame rates, then the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the best option for you. This device might not have any of the gaming triggers in other phones but it gives you an incredible cooling system that makes it possible for the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 to perform incredibly well.
See Also: Best Xiaomi Phones 2022: Top 6 Xiaomi Phones you can buy in 2022
Another reason why you might want to buy the Xiaomi 12S Ultra ahead of other gaming phones is that it gives you other added bonuses. You get to enjoy wireless fast charge, take incredible photos, record wonderful videos, and also get similar performance as you would in the other gaming phones above. Plus, its price starts at $1,039 (12GB + 256GB) making it a very good bargain.
Buy Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Price | Coupon |
Buy on Giztop | $1,199 | 12SU50 |
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Best Xiaomi 12S Ultra alternative)
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is only sitting as an alternative to the Xiaomi 12S Ultra on this best gaming phone 2022 list because of its chipset. The chipset used in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is an enhanced version of the one used in the Galaxy S22 Ultra. And this gives the Xiaomi 12S Ultra a boost in performance in heat efficiency. Otherwise, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has more features like the S-PEN and a bigger 5,000mAh battery.
Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra
Galaxy S22 Ultra | Price |
Buy on Amazon | $1,199.99 |
5. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (Best Gaming iPhone)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max key features
Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic |
GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) |
Software | Apple iOS 15 |
Display | 6.7-inch, XDR OLED, 120Hz |
Cooling Features | Vapor chamber |
Battery | 4,352mAh (27W) |
The best gaming phones 2022 list won’t be complete without an Apple iPhone. Apple iPhones are the best-performing and power-efficient smartphones you can buy in the market. So, if you’re not an Android fan, then the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best gaming iPhone you can in 2022. It is equipped with an Apple GPU that has 5-core graphics and it is the best battery smartphone of 2022.
As a bonus, you’ll get to enjoy all its camera features when taking photos and recording videos. Its fast display is another reason why the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best gaming iPhone of the year. If you have the money (because it’s not cheap), you should buy this iPhone as your gaming device otherwise, you can pick from the list of available Android phones above.
Buy Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro Max | Price |
Buy on Amazon | $1,199.00 |
Buy on Amazon(UK) | £1,049.00 |
Apple iPhone 13 (Best iPhone 13 Pro Max alternative)
If you can’t afford the iPhone 13 Pro Max, then you should buy the Apple iPhone 13. You’ll get similar performance and it’s cheaper but you’ll have to sacrifice a little bit of battery and get a standard 60Hz refresh rate display.
Buy Apple iPhone 13
iPhone 13 | Price |
Buy on Amazon | $814.99 |
Buy on Amazon(UK) | £729.00 |
Best Gaming Phones 2022: Conclusion
There is a gaming smartphone for you no matter your budget. If you need phones just for playing games, then buy any of the phones that are designed for gaming on this list. However, if you need a little bit of both worlds, then buy any of the regular phones listed above.
This is our best gaming phones 2022 list and it includes the latest phones released by each company. Most of the phones on this list were released in 2022. Did we miss any phones? Please leave a comment below or use the Contact Us page to send us a message.