Introduction
Gaming on your smartphone can be immensely fun if you’re got the right equipment – but it can also be immensely frustrating if your handset hasn’t got the chops to deal with your favourite games.
That’s why we’ve assembled this list of the very best gaming phones around, some of which were built exactly for that purpose and some of which are non-specialists that still acquit themselves very well when running popular mobile games.
We’ve included devices at a range of price points, and have included one iOS device along with the Android handsets to ensure a variety of choice to suit different customers’ needs.
Every single one of these phones has been put through a series of benchmarking tests, along with real-world experience, so that we know they can deliver the optimal gaming performance for their category.
If you’re after the best all-round phones that are excellent at a range of other skills besides just gaming, then you should check out our best phones guide. If you’re on a tighter budget, then take a glance at our best mid-range phones and best cheap phones articles for a selection of more affordable handsets.
How we test
Learn more about how we test gaming phones Every phone we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality, screen accuracy, battery life, performance and camera prowess.These include formal synthetic benchmarks and scripted tests, plus a series of real world checks, such as how much battery it loses per hour streaming video. For gaming phones, we pay particular attention as to how well they run some of the most popular mobile titles.We also make sure to use every phone we review as our primary handset for at least 4 days to ensure our review is as accurate as possible. You can see a more detailed breakdown of our testing methodology in our how we test phones guide.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
Best gaming phone
Pros
Muscular performanceSmooth and responsive screenGood battery life and fast-charging
Cons
Cameras aren’t the bestNot for non-gamersExpensive
The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is our choice for the best gaming phone around, and if you take a glance at the specifications then it won’t take you more than a few seconds to see why.
From a screen with a 165Hz refresh rate and 720Hz touch sampling rate, to a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset that’s complemented by 18GB of RAM, this device was built from the ground up to deliver excellent gaming performance, and fortunately we can confirm that it does exactly that.
We were incredibly impressed by the speedy processing power of this device, while the super smooth and reactive screen helped us to feel more immersed than ever before in the games that were unfolding in front of us.
This handset delivered the best gaming performance we’ve seen in a phone, and its beefy 6000mAh battery ensures that your session won’t suddenly be cut short. What’s more, the 65W fast-charging saw it get fully topped up in just 40 minutes, so you’re soon ready to get up and go again.
If you’ve got a never-ending appetite for gaming, and a similarly limitless wallet, then this handset is the best we’ve tested for that purpose.
Reviewer: Peter Phelps
Full Review: Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
Nubia Redmagic 7S Pro
Best mid-range gaming phone
Pros
Stellar PerformanceResponsive gaming controlsNot the gaudiest design for a gaming phone
Cons
Awful, buggy UIIn-display selfie cam an odd choiceBattery not huge for a gaming phone
Not everyone is lucky enough to have fistfuls of cash to throw at a phone, especially if it’s a secondary phone that you’re just using to satisfy your gaming needs. That’s why a device like the Redmagic 7S Pro comes in handy. It costs a lot less than the flagships on this list, but don’t let that fool you: it still delivers blistering performance.
This phone rocks the same formidable Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset as the ROG Phone 6 Pro, and this ensures that it is one of the fastest Android phones on the market. You can run Genshin Impact on its very highest settings on this device, and the processor – working in tandem with the heat dissipation system – will still maintain great performance.
The 6.8-inch display is a very good canvas for gaming, offering a 120Hz refresh rate, a dizzying 960Hz touch sampling rate, and a 1080p resolution. However, you might find that it’s not quite as bright as some of its competitors and we sometimes had to top it up to maximum brightness even when indoors. The unmistakable gaming-centric design also incorporates two 520Hz touch buttons which give you a real competitive edge.
Unfortunately, however, Nubia’s user interface is cluttered and clunky and there are even some translation mistakes to be found as well, which hardly makes for an enjoyable experience. But if you can look past this flaw (and the sub-par camera system), then you’ve got yourself a highly capable gaming phone.
Reviewer: Jon Mundy
Full Review: Nubia Red Magic 7S Pro
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Best Android flagship for gaming
Pros
Stunning display with fantastic detail and brightnessVersatile camera system with impressive zoomGood low-light camera performanceFast charging Promise of many years of updates
Cons
Battery life should be betterDesign a step backwardYou need to buy the fast charger separately
While the previous two entries in this list are dedicated gaming phones, built expressly for that purpose and nothing else, this one is a flagship smartphone that boasts excellent gaming performance as just one of its many accomplishments. If you pick this device, you’ll be able to play the best games in style – but you’ll get more than that, too.
In terms of its gaming capabilities, you’ll find a truly excellent performer here that is among the speediest Android phones around. It’s also got an utterly brilliant screen, arguably the best on any smartphone you can buy, and it makes games a joy to play.
You won’t get some purist gaming enhancements, such as shoulder trigger buttons, but you will get some advantages that other gaming phones may miss out on, including a guaranteed five years of software updates and a brilliant camera system that is head and shoulders above the others on the market when it comes to its zoom capabilities.
If you’re looking for an Android device that can handle games with aplomb but offer so much more, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is an easy recommendation.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best iPhone for gaming
Pros
Huge screen is gorgeousThree very good camerasReally impressive battery lifeProMotion finally on an iPhone
Cons
Selfie camera needs an upgradeNotch feels tiredOther phones have better zoom
If Android isn’t your style and you’re a dyed in the wool Apple fan, then there are still good options for you to indulge in your gaming obssession.
Our top choice would have to be the iPhone 13 Pro Max. That’s not just because of its incredibly powerful A15 Bionic chip, which you’ll find across Apple’s last range of smartphones, but also because of its large, smooth screen. The 6.7-inch display is enormous, often requiring two hands for ease of use, and the ProMotion display can expertly switch from 120Hz all the way down to 10Hz depending on the activity you’re undertaking, so is very well attuned for getting the most out of your games. There’s always the smaller iPhone 13 Pro if you prefer a phone with a smaller display.
The enduring battery life is another key feature that makes this ideal for gaming on the go, with our reviewer Max Parker going far enough as to describe it as “the best on any mainstream flagship phone I have reviewed this year.”
On top of that of course you’ll have Apple’s brilliant and well-supported iOS software, and a fantastic triple camera system that’s on par with the Galaxy S22 Ultra and comfortably ahead of the bespoke gaming handsets. You won’t get a better gaming experience (or all-around experience) than this if you’re limiting yourself to Apple products.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: iPhone 13 Pro Max
Poco X4 Pro 5G
Best cheap phone for gaming
Pros
Great screenVery good main camera67W fast-chargingStrong battery life
Cons
Unsubtle designNot the most powerful processorSecondary cameras aren’t brilliant
If you can’t get enough of your mobile gaming but don’t have a large disposable income to spend on one of the all-singing all-dancing flagships that we’ve listed above, then don’t worry; you can still get a great gaming experience at a lower price.
For this purpose, we’d especially recommend the Poco X4 Pro 5G. Despite the sub-$300/£300 price, this screen boasts some highly advanced features, including a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, and a claimed 1200 nits peak brightness. The battery is also exceptional, lasting up to two days of conservative usage. Performance standards aren’t on the same level as flagship models, but they should be good enough to see you through your gaming sessions without too many problems.
This great value handset is well worth a look if you want to game to your heart’s content but can’t splash out on some of the bank-breaking options that excel in this area.
Reviewer: Peter Phelps
Full Review: Poco X4 Pro 5G
FAQs
What is the best gaming phone? Overall, we’d pick the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro as the best gaming phone you can buy Which iPhone should I buy if I like gaming? We’d recommend the iPhone 13 Pro Max if you love gaming but want to stick with an iPhone
Best Gaming Phones: Specifications Comparison
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Storage Capacity
Rear Camera
Front Camera
Video Recording
IP rating
Battery
Wirless charging
Fast Charging
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
Operating System
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Resolution
HDR
Refresh Rate
Ports
Chipset
RAM
Colours
Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
£1099
–
€1299
–
–
Asus
6.78 inches
512GB
50MP+13MP
12MP
Yes
IPX4
6000 mAh
–
Yes
77 x 10.3 x 173 MM
239 G
Android 12
2021
–
2488 x 1080
–
165 Hz
USB-C x2, 3.5mm headphone jack
Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
–
White, Black
Nubia Redmagic 7S Pro
£669
$729
€779
Unavailable
Unavailable
ZTE Corporation
6.8 inches
256GB
64MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro
8MP under display
Yes
IP57
5000 mAh
–
Yes
166.3 x 77.1 x 10 MM
235 G
Redmagic 5.5
2022
26/07/2022
1080 x 2400
–
120 Hz
USB-C 3.5mm Headphone jack
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
12GB
–
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
£1149
$1199.99
€1259
–
–
Samsung
6.8 inches
128GB
108-megapixels
40-megapixels
Yes
IP68
5000 mAh
Yes
Yes
77.9 x 8.9 x 163.3 MM
229 G
Android 12, OneUI 4.1
2022
17/02/2022
1440 x 3080
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C
Exynos 2200
8GB
Burgundy, Gree, Black, White
iPhone 13 Pro Max
£1049
$1099
€1259
CA$1549
AU$1849
Apple
6.7 inches
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
12MP + 12MP + 12MP
12MP
Yes
IP68
–
Yes
Yes
78.1 x 7.65 x 160.8 MM
238 G
iOS 15
2021
–
2778 x 1284
Yes
120 Hz
Lightning
A15 Bionic
6GB
Black, Gold, Blue, Silver
Poco X4 Pro 5G
£299.99
–
€299
–
–
Pioneer
6.67 inches
128GB
108MP + 8MP + 2MP
16MP
Yes
IP53
5000 mAh
–
Yes
76.1 x 8.1 x 164.2 MM
206 G
–
2022
–
2400 x 1080
–
120 Hz
USB-C
Snapdragon 695 5G
6GB
Blue, Black, Yellow
Best Gaming Phones: Tests Comparison
Geekbench 5 single core
Geekbench 5 multi core
sRGB
Adobe RGB
DCI-P3
Max brightness
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
30 minute gaming (intensive)
30 minute gaming (light)
1 hour music streaming (online)
1 hour music streaming (offline)
Time from 0-100% charge
Time from 0-50% charge
3D Mark – Wild Life
3D Mark – Wild Life Stress Test
3D Mark – Sling Shot Extreme
Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
1323
4204
–
–
–
–
6 %
6 %
–
–
–
40 min
17 Min
7070
–
–
Nubia Redmagic 7S Pro
1314
4124
–
–
–
600 nits
–
–
–
–
–
35 min
–
–
2832
–
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
1159
3514
99.8 %
90.2 %
97.4 %
770 nits
6 %
–
–
2 %
1 %
59 min
23 Min
6930
6179
–
iPhone 13 Pro Max
1727
4453
99 %
67 %
70 %
545 nits
7 %
6 %
6 %
1 %
1 %
91 min
31 Min
–
–
–
Poco X4 Pro 5G
617
1897
–
–
–
–
4 %
–
–
2 %
–
–
–
1201
–
2817
