Best Gaming Smartphones 2022 | Top Gaming Smartphones

Best Gaming Smartphones 2022 – Top Gaming Smartphones

In fact, the best gaming smartphones can now be considered the best consoles. Seriously – even though phones weren’t originally invented for gaming, at the moment mobile gaming is one of the fastest growing areas of the industry. There’s always something new coming out, and the power of today’s devices is enough to play three-dimensional games with beautiful graphics.

There are a huge number of options, from Apple to unknown brands, so to understand all the variety and choose the best smartphone is very difficult. And here we are ready to help you. We have considered the best in terms of gaming smartphones on the market and are ready to share with you our conclusions.

To give a general recommendation – for the best gaming experience it is worth choosing the largest possible screen size. Of course, it’s not necessary, but it’s always nice to strain your eyes less to see what’s going on under your fingers (if it’s still hard, it’s worth looking at tablets). A large amount of memory will also be useful – you’ll be able to install more games and apps. At a minimum, we recommend 128 GB – if you don’t cram the phone with photos or videos, even that will be enough for enough mobile games.

Contents

The best gaming smartphones of 2022

Realme GT

Realme GT is the new flagship of the fast-growing and one of the most popular brands. It is one of the top 10 most powerful smartphones in the world as of September 2021, and fully justifies its presence in the ranking, offering impressive performance, which is achieved thanks to the processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.

There is no mobile game that the realme GT can’t handle. It handles all applications with ease, and titles demonstrate high frame rate and excellent responsiveness – the local sensor works with a frequency of 360 Hz, which provides an instant response to touch.

In addition, the smartphone also looks very stylish, sounds chic and is a very good shooter. The only complaint about the modest battery life, which, however, is compensated by a really fast charge – from zero to a hundred percent in some 40 minutes.

The realme GT is the most affordable smartphone based on the Snapdragon 888, but if you do not need uncompromising power, pay attention to the realme GT Master Edition – slightly less productive (on Snapdragon 778G), but even more stylish model with a unique design.

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming, according to its name, is designed for gamers. For them, engineers have not only installed an advanced chipset MediaTek Dimensity 1200, an impressive amount of RAM and high-capacity battery, but also equipped the smartphone with a number of unique “gimmicks”.

First and foremost, these are retractable triggers – special side buttons for more comfortable control in games. In fact, a partial replacement for the gamepad, which can not do without in many mobile games. The next feature is an advanced cooling system, which combines graphene, graphite and evaporation chamber. It perfectly removes heat from the processor, preventing it from overheating and trotting.

In addition, the creators have provided RGB-lighting near the camera module, which also serves as a notification indicator, fast 67-watt charging, stereo speakers, support for 5G and Wi-Fi 6, as well as, which is not typical for gaming smartphones, did not forget to install a good camera. And about the design, of course, they took care – the device looks stylish and aggressive.

The Lenovo Legion 2 Pro

The Lenovo Legion 2 Pro is expensive, but in the case of this model, you know what you’re paying for. A powerful processor, a large amount of RAM and permanent memory, a capacious battery – this is the usual set for a gaming smartphone.

But the thickening on the back panel with camera modules and cooling system outputs is something new. Underlining its gaming purpose, the device is oriented to use in a horizontal orientation – this is evidenced by a retractable front camera module, which is hidden in the side panel of the smartphone.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor remains one of the most productive current chipsets. The display is huge – almost seven inches. It has HDR 10+ support, which provides a bright, juicy picture in games and other types of content.

In the list of disadvantages of the Lenovo Legion 2 Pro can be noted only its dimensions: the smartphone is very large and quite weighty. Otherwise, it is an excellent option for gaming, although you will have to part with an impressive amount of money when buying it.

The realme GT NEO 2

The realme GT NEO 2 is a model for if you need a smartphone with characteristics close to the flagship, but you’re ready for some compromises for a more affordable price.

Such a compromise here was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset, which is slightly weaker than the unrivaled Snapdragon 888, but at the same time energy efficient and ready to handle any modern innovations. And also very “cool”: steam cooling system effectively dissipates heat, not allowing the smartphone to heat up.

It uses a medium-sized display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, has dual stereo speakers and a tactile vibration motor – all for a comfortable experience in video games. And the realme GT NEO 2 also shoots amazing photos and video, so it will be a versatile device for gamers and beyond.

POCO X3 Pro

Xiaomi smartphones are justifiably called “top for their money”: apart from some models, for the most part they provide the perfect price/performance ratio.

The same applies to the POCO sub-brand, which is focused on gamers. There is a great emphasis on performance, while on other parameters, such as camera, engineers make compromises.

A typical representative of the line was the smartphone POCO X3 Pro: equipped with a chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 combined with 120 Hz display, fast memory class UFS 3.1 and endurance battery, it will give game lovers all they need: the ability to play for many hours without interruption and with high frame rate. The processor and video chip handle any challenge, and the battery can be charged in minutes.

Alas, the main and front camera capabilities here are quite modest – this is worth considering before buying.

Infinix HOT 11 Play

For example, the Infinix HOT 11 Play is an affordable gaming gadget, equipped with the MediaTek Helio G35 gaming processor and an impressive 6000 mAh battery.

Of course, given the price, “gaming” device can be called with reservations: it will not compete with the top models on Snapdragon 888, but if you compromise some graphics settings, any modern game, including from the AAA category, he will be up to the task. Especially if you consider the HD+ display, which reduces the load on the “iron”. The best choice for those who like to play, but do not have a big budget to buy a smartphone.

OnePlus 9 Pro

OnePlus 9 Pro – advanced model with top hardware and stunning design. The smartphone is very powerful: the chipset can handle any task, and there is always enough RAM. The display with rounded edges (this feature has both fans and haters) and 1440p + resolution produces a picture in HDR quality, and for games there is a mode with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

There is a full set of features for a flagship smartphone, including an under-screen fingerprint scanner, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, 5G support, moisture protection and more. In addition, the device features an advanced camera developed in collaboration with Swedish brand Hasselblad.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apple smartphones are characterized by a touch of “premium” (partly justified) and outstanding performance at, alas, a high price. One of the key advantages of the line is a good optimization of the OS: the Apple ecosystem does not have a large variety of devices, as in the case of Android devices, so the iOS operating system is characterized by high performance and stability.

This also applies to the work of applications, including games. Multi-platform and exclusive titles show excellent performance on Apple devices. Especially on the flagship, which includes the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max – a smartphone with the most powerful iPhone chip, a very high-quality display and recognizable design.

One of the best smartphones for gaming, if you prefer Apple technology, but not everyone can afford it – the cost of the top model tends to infinity.

Infinix Zero X Pro

The flagship smartphone from the brand Infinix, which combines a bright “space” design with a gaming chipset Mediatek Helio G95 and a large AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

The device is very thin – only 7.8 mm, at the same time in the body fit a performance processor, a large stock of RAM and flash memory, a high-capacity battery with fast charging support and a set of modern communication modules. There’s also a 108-megapixel camera that takes truly stunning pictures, especially in night mode.

Among the disadvantages of the model – not the most advanced type of memory UFS2.2 and a rather large weight. Otherwise, we have in front of us an excellent gaming smartphone with a very competitive price tag.

ASUS ROG Phone 5

ASUS’ ROG Phone 5 could be a winner in the “Most Outstanding Smartphone Design” category, if we had one. A horizontal camera unit is a rarity in today’s phones, but what surprises most is not that, but the additional screen on the back of the device, on which you can display various notifications and funny animations.

Inside the smartphone is the flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset combined with 16 GB of fast RAM and 256 GB of no less fast internal memory, and for the picture is responsible display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz.

But that’s not all: ASUS engineers have a few aces up their sleeve especially for gamers. First of all, a gesture-based touchpad, placed on the sides of the device, and used for more comfortable operation in games. Secondly, there is a quality audio system with stereo speakers. Finally, the smartphone comes with a clip-on cooler, which improves cooling and adds a couple more physical buttons for easier control.

Infinix Note 10 Pro

The Infinix Note 10 Pro is the flagship smartphone of the Infinix brand, but its status does not mean that you have to shell out three of your paychecks for the device. A worthy trump card for a model with a high-performance MediaTek Helio G95 chipset.

The next advantage of the Note 10 Pro is a huge display with an impressive diagonal of 6.95 inches. And it was not as oversized as it may seem, and also very thin and light. From such a screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and FHD resolution is very convenient to consume content, and the smartphone does not disappoint in this respect.

Not counting the performance of the processor and graphics subsystem, this model has a special gaming mode, which cuts off unnecessary processes and improves the performance of the device when running gaming applications. In addition, the Infinix Note 10 Pro supports all modern communications, and the night mode shooting of its main camera will impress you with detail and beauty.

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro

Another representative of the top most powerful smartphones, the evolution of the gaming lineup Xiaomi, which is based on the chip Snapdragon 888 combined with a graphics processor Adreno 660.

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro also boasts a 144 Hz display, the presence of liquid cooling system and fast charging 120W, which charges the battery of the device to 100% in just 17 minutes!

In addition, Xiaomi has prepared its own smartphone shell JOYUI 12.5, based on MIUI 12.5 and Android 11, which contains many exclusive gamer features. Finally, there are special physical trigger keys, to which you can hang different commands and thus improve your gaming experience.

This smartphone is not cheap, but it pays off every $.

POCO F3

POCO F3 from Xiaomi belongs to the class of smartphones in the mid-price segment – it is more affordable than the flagship devices, and it offers similar performance, albeit with some compromises.

Inside the device works processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 – a productive solution, which is enough for everyday work and for demanding games. The screen runs at 120 Hz refresh rate, and the sensor is updated at 360 Hz for better responsiveness in games. Engineers created a clever cooling system that keeps the smartphone from getting hot, and added stereo speakers for better sound positioning.

On top of that, the POCO F3 shoots really well, and it also looks cool. It’s one of the best offerings in its price range.

ASUS ZenFone 8

ASUS ZenFone 8 – smartphone, which seems to go against all modern trends. In contrast to the fashionable “shovels” this device has a display diagonal of a modest 5.9 inches, and in spite of the companies, which are chasing the number of cameras, cramming three- and four-module designs, here is used a dual main camera.

However, this does not make the smartphone a “black sheep”; on the contrary: it is ideal for those looking for a compact gadget that can fit in a small pocket or a nifty handbag, and the lack of a third and fourth camera has not affected its photo capabilities.

At the same time, ASUS ZenFone 8 is equipped with a processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, and therefore ready to cope with absolutely any task. And its display has realistic color rendering due to HDR 10+ technology.

Xiaomi Mi11T

Mi11T – the latest in the line of affordable flagships Xiaomi, marked with the letter “T”. This is a performance device, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset, which handles gaming and everyday tasks equally well.

The series also includes the Xiaomi Mi11T Pro model on the Snapdragon 888 – an uncompromising solution that can handle any load.

Both models have a display with a 120Hz panel refresh rate and a record 480Hz sensor refresh rate, Harman Kardon stereo speakers, and super-fast charging. Finally, the outstanding features are complemented by quality cameras with a main module of 108 MP, with which Xiaomi offers to create “Cinemagic”.

ZTE Nubia Red Magic 6 Pro

Red Magic 6 Pro shouts “I’m a gaming smartphone! This device cannot be confused with any other: aggressive, “gamer” design immediately declares its positioning.

In addition to the cool design there is no less cool stuffing: the usual for gaming devices Snapdragon 888, as much as 16 GB of RAM, an advanced cooling system, as well as a display with a refresh rate of 165 Hz. The battery capacity of the smartphone – 5050 mAh, and thanks to the rapid charging it gains capacity in minutes, replenishing 50% of the charge in just 5 minutes!

In addition, the creators of the device provided an interesting design feature: they added a small frame at the top of the display, symmetrical with the bottom frame, and placed in it the eye of the front camera. Thus, the screen is completely rid of unnecessary elements.

Motorola Edge 20 Pro

Motorola Edge 20 Pro – in equal measure and gaming, and photo-smartphone: for gaming there is a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, and for the shooting is responsible main camera module with 108 MP.

The device displays an OLED display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz and support for HDR10 +, which together give a stunningly smooth and beautiful picture. Games run with high graphics settings, and the battery with support for fast charging saves you from having to be at the socket for a long time.

Realme 8 Pro

Realme 8 Pro – an inexpensive gaming smartphone, equipped with a high-performance for its price segment processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (where G – gaming), combined with a graphics subsystem Adreno 618. It provides a steadily smooth frame rate in most modern games, though not always at maximum graphics settings.

In addition, the smartphone shoots very well: the main 108 MP camera has many preset modes and produces good pictures in all conditions, day and night. And the ultra-wide auxiliary camera will allow you to capture large-scale scenes.

Realme narzo 30 5G

The realme narzo 30 5G is a hit of the summer season 2021, attracting attention with its design with a characteristic “arrow” on the back of the body, and running on a fast MediaTek Dimensity 700 combined with a 90 Hz FHD+ display. Despite the relatively low cost, the smartphone supports 5G networks.

As for gaming performance, owners of this model can expect high and maximum settings in modern hits at a compromised 30-60 fps. The chip is made on a 7-nm process, so it is not prone to heat and trotting, and with such characteristics realme narzo 30 5G confidently competes not only “classmates”, but also more expensive devices.

Blackview BL5000 5G

This model was included in our selection for its outstanding features: Blackview BL5000 5G – not only a gaming smartphone, but also protected, with an armored body, moisture protection and other attributes of this category of devices.

Its “heart” was the chip MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700, which is quite good even with demanding games, produces a stable and smooth frame rate in projects such as Genshin Impact.

You can drop the BL5000 on the floor and it will be fine. You can accidentally drop a cup of water on it and it’ll be fine. You can take it on a hike, you can take it skydiving, you can work in extreme conditions and it won’t let you down. If you’re not just looking for a gaming device, but also an enduring one, here it is.

The best gaming smartphones of yesteryear

ROG Phone 2

There aren’t many phones designed specifically for gaming, but one of them is head and shoulders above all others – the ROG Phone 2. In addition to the included extra cooler and powerful hardware that puts all the competition to shame, it has a very handy unique feature: the “ultrasonic” buttons Air Triggers. These are touch-sensitive buttons on the side that work similarly to the LB/RB buttons on PS4 or Xbox controllers.

In the horizontal position of the device, they allow you to implement simpler and more precise control schemes that would otherwise be impossible without additional devices. By linking to on-screen commands using a simple drag-and-drop method, they can easily be assigned to, for example, shooting or precise aiming in games like Call of Duty Mobile. This provides a more traditional gaming experience and convenience by freeing up your thumbs to move or reload. As you’ve probably guessed by now, in combat, when speed is critical, it provides a significant advantage. Tired of inaccurate touch controls? There’s a way out!

Just as practical are the overclocking capabilities and an optional cooler that can cool the smartphone in the midst of a long gaming session. And do not worry about the fact that because of this will suffer everyday tasks – all the gaming chips complemented by an amazing performance in normal use, not to mention the stylish design and redesigned OS, based on Android. The AMOLED HDR Delta-E screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time also pleases.

OnePlus 7 Pro

Few phones are truly game-oriented – more often than not, only timid steps are taken in this direction. But OnePlus 7 Pro is an exception to this rule. Its special mode “Fnatic Mode”, developed in cooperation with cyber-sportsmen, promises “aggressive operation of the processor with the use of all available resources for the game”. This is achieved by blocking other apps from accessing the network and rejecting all calls and notifications – the game gets everything it needs. In other words, it’s PC-style overclocking, which is rarely seen on mobile devices.

Another diamond in the crown of this smartphone is its speed. Quite frankly, it is one of the fastest gadgets out there. And the 3120×1440 resolution display is just the cherry on the cake. And yes, that retractable front-facing camera is really cool.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

The 2019 iPhones came out with great pomp – and perhaps they are still some of the best, especially the iPhone 11 Pro with three cameras. At first glance, you might not notice much difference between it and the older iPhone XS, but take a closer look and you’ll be amazed. For starters, there’s a much longer battery life – very useful if you like to play Pokemon Go on the way to work. And the 5.8-inch OLED display will make your games look great.

However, the most significant step forward is the trio of high-quality cameras. There’s a 12-megapixel wide-angle, super-wide-angle and telephoto cameras at your disposal, not to mention a front camera of the same resolution and a night mode for shooting in the dark. That’s why the iPhone 11 Pro is head and shoulders above previous models, even if it has nothing to do with gaming.

Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus is a significant step up from the S9 (and even the standard S10) in almost everything. With the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor as the OnePlus 7 Pro discussed above, the performance will be more than enough. The beautiful Super AMOLED screen with vivid graphics and the truest blacks will be on point in realistic games or movies, and thanks to the 6.4-inch diagonal you won’t miss a single detail, whether it’s Mario Kart Tour, Fallout Shelter or The Elder Scrolls: Blades.

Also worth noting are a few non-gaming features – the Wireless Powershare feature that lets you charge other devices from your phone, the in-display fingerprint sensor, 12-megapixel main, telephoto and ultra-wide-angle cameras, and a usable screen area of 93.1% of the front surface.

Honor 20 Pro

Honor 20 Pro is a powerful gaming smartphone. The device is based on the Kirin processor and has 8 GB of RAM. This is quite enough for even the most demanding games. Honor 20 Pro runs Fortnite Mobile at 60 FPS. It also has special functionality that provides a more stable internet connection, increases battery life, and optimizes system resources for smoother app performance.

The Honor 20 Pro has 256GB of internal memory, which means you can store all the apps, music and photos you need on your smartphone without much trouble. In addition, it has a large 6.26-inch screen on which it is convenient to play or work.

Honor 20 Pro is the most universal device. The main camera with a resolution of 48 MP and an excellent macro lens ensures the most clear and high-quality pictures. The front-facing camera also deserves special attention.

The main drawback of the Honor 20 Pro is the lack of a 3.5 mm headphone jack. So during games you have to rely on a wireless Bluetooth connection or speakers. In addition, it does not have a QHD display, so you can’t play ultra-HD content.

Nevertheless, it is a great smartphone, which is ideal for gaming and everyday use.

Razer Phone 2

The Razer Phone 2 is really impressive when it comes to gaming performance. The smartphone has a 5.7-inch screen with HDR support and refresh rate of 120 Hz. Considering that most other gaming smartphones have this indicator does not exceed 90 Hz.

The device is based on the Snapdragon 845 processor and supports Dolby Atmos. Therefore, the smartphone easily runs all modern games and applications at high graphics settings. Razer Phone 2 is quite a massive device. The case does not backlash and feels sturdy. It is not afraid of accidental falls from a small height, strong pressure, squeezing.

Razer Phone 2 runs on an operating system Android, so many settings can be adjusted to your liking. For example, if you want you can reduce the refresh rate of the screen from 120 Hz to 60-90 Hz, to set the priority of processes. All this allows you to fully control the consumption of system resources. The battery with support for fast charging technology also pleases. It takes two hours to fully charge the smartphone from 0%. At the same time, the battery lasts for about 10 hours of active use (running games, resource-intensive applications, camera, media player). That’s really a lot, especially compared to the competition.

The only drawback of the Razer Phone 2 is that it is not quite suitable for everyday use by ordinary consumers, not gamers: too bulky, and also without a 3.5 mm headphone jack. But if you’re looking for a powerful gaming smartphone from a gaming brand, the Razer Phone 2 is one of the best in its category.

Sony Xperia XZ2

If you are looking for a quality smartphone for gaming, it is not unreasonable to pay attention to the company, which is behind the creation of consoles PlayStation – Sony. The model Sony Xperia XZ2 can be called in a sense experimental. It is unlikely to be worthy competition to other smartphones, but thanks to some features will definitely push most of them to the “back burner”.

The first-class Snapdragon 845 chipset fully powers the powerful HDR display with a resolution of 1080 by 2160 pixels and a screen diagonal of 5.7 inches. At least because of this, the smartphone is ideal for running even the most demanding games.

While a huge number of other phones offer similar power characteristics, Xperia XZ22 stands out from them with the presence of stereo speakers. The dual front-facing speakers are something to really admire, especially if you’re running apps not designed for headphone gaming. Combined with haptic feedback using Dynamic Vibration System technology, the smartphone offers the closest console-like experience that other models can’t boast.

Google Pixel 3 XL

Google Pixel 3 XL is a smartphone from the creators of the Android operating system, so the device runs on a “native” shell, without extra apps. Compared to the Google Pixel 2 XL, the new version of the smartphone has more powerful iron and a larger screen. This is a great smartphone for gaming and everyday use.

The Pixel series is the spiritual successor to the Google Nexus line, with the Google Pixel being a premium mobile device with a corresponding price tag. The camera used in the Pixel 3 XL is in many ways superior to the iPhone, and the high-quality OLED display boasts high clarity and good color reproduction.

If money doesn’t matter to you and you’re looking for a pure Android phone, then be sure to check out the Google Pixel 3 XL. All devices from Google are among the first to receive most updates, so the smartphone will remain relevant for years to come.

iPhone XR

If you are choosing between two “apple” smartphones: iPhone X and iPhone XR, it is the iPhone XR that is suitable for gaming. It is inferior to its predecessor in terms of camera and screen quality, but significantly outperforms in terms of performance. The iPhone XR is based on the A12 Bionic processor, which is also in the iPhone XS and XS Max. Therefore, its power is enough to run even the most resource-intensive applications.

Another undeniable advantage of the XR compared to other “apple” smartphones of the last generation is the lower price. In terms of performance, it is just as good as the iPhone XS, but it costs less. While some Android smartphones outperform iOS devices in terms of performance, iOS games are much better optimized. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about FPS slumps.

The main disadvantage of the iPhone XR is a closed iOS environment. Therefore it is not possible to customize the operating system. In addition, problems can arise with the streaming of PC games to the smartphone. The only available source of applications is the AppStore. Therefore, before buying think about whether the iPhone XR is worth it to completely abandon all the advantages that the operating system offers Android.

Nokia 6.1

Great price for any budget.
Decent “stuffing” for its price
Good processor
Features lower than other gaming smartphones
Little RAM, compared to similar models
If the brightest novelties of mobile technology you little interested in, and you’re just looking for a device with a powerful “stuffing” that would be suitable for running games, then pay attention to Nokia 6.1. The model is excellent for mobile gaming and will appeal to those who are looking for a more budget-friendly option among the existing novelties on the market. And although the smartphone gives up some features in favor of a low price, it still has a stable performance.

The stylish Nokia 6.1 comes with the Snapdragon 630 chipset, which, as you understand, is far from the latest in the line of these processors. But when it comes to computing power, it shows excellent performance. True, the lack of RAM still weighs heavily on overall performance and can cause a couple of problems if you plan to run more resource-intensive games. Still, it’s not that critical. You won’t be able to crank the graphics settings to ultra high, but if you want an affordable smartphone that’s good for playing the popular Play Market or App Store novelties with friends, to play with friends, then it’s up to the task.

As a result, you get a smartphone with quite good technical characteristics and an affordable price. And it is worth paying special attention to it, because the device is still among the best on the market, which at the same time is suitable for running games. This is far from a top model, especially if you consider the “stuffing” of the smartphone. But its price really pays off, allowing Nokia 6.1 to compete with the best phones.