Even before the invention of smartphones, we were playing games on mobile phones — think back to solitaire, snake, and blackjack.
The concept is nothing new. But with smartphones getting better equipped every year, things have evolved.
Today’s smartphones have specs and crisp screen resolutions that rival home consoles and tablets. Because of the tech boost, gamers are reaching for their phones like never before.
If you want to get in on the gaming action from your smartphone, you need two things:
- Solid equipment to be competitive.
- A VPN download to keep safe and secure while gaming.
To point you in the right direction, we’re breaking down 5 of the top gaming phones for 2022 — in no particular order.
Best Gaming Phones of 2022
1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Specs, pros, and cons
- Dimensions – 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm
- CPU – Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888
- RAM – 12/16GB
- Storage – 128/256/512GB
- Screen size – 6.8-inch
- Resolution – 1440 x 3200
- Battery – 5,000mAh
- OS – Android
- Released – January 2021
Pros
- Supports a stylus
- Solid cameras
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a microSD card slot
- The phone is on the pricey side for a gaming phone
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers amazing tech specs that make it a natural choice for any smartphone gaming list. Although our list is in no particular order, we started with this one because it has a lot of functionality outside of gaming.
Regardless, the display size, raw processing power, and ability to get up to 16GB of RAM make the phone a perfect choice for gamers. You also get a 120Hz refresh rate on the screen for a clean display.
And with some of the best smartphone cameras on the market, you’re getting a lot of extra perks when you buy the phone.
The only real downside is the high price point. But if you can afford it, this phone is an all-star for gamers and non-gamers alike.
2. iPhone 13 Pro Max
Specs, pros, and cons
- Dimensions – 160.8mm x 78.1mm x 7.7mm
- CPU – A15 Bionic
- RAM – 6GB
- Storage – 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
- Screen size – 6.7-inch
- Resolution – 1284 x 2778
- Battery – 4,352mAh
- OS – iOS
- Released – September 2021
Pros
- Top of the line battery for an iPhone
- Has tons of power backing the CPU
Cons
- It still has the notorious notch on the display
- Few changes from the iPhone 12
For a mainstream phone, the iPhone 13 Pro Max packs a lot of punch for gaming. And with such an enormous selection in the App Store, you might convert to Apple before you know it.
You’ll be able to play games on a clean, crisp display with a wonderful resolution. And with the processing power in the phone and 120Hz refresh rate, you’ll be playing at remarkable speeds with no lag to speak of.
Plus, Apple finally did some upgrades to the battery power, so you’ll have a lot of gaming time before you have to recharge. However, they still didn’t get rid of that pesky notch that cuts into the display viewing area.
3. Black Shark 3
Specs, pros, and cons
- Dimensions – 168.7 x 77.3 x 10.4mm
- CPU – Snapdragon 865
- RAM – 8/12GB
- Storage – 128/256GB
- Screen size – 6.67-inch
- Resolution – 2080 x 2440
- Battery – 4,720mAh
- OS – Android
- Released – March 2020
Pros
- Surprisingly affordable for a gaming phone
- You would want to buy the phone for the cameras alone
Cons
- Slower refresh rate than the competition
- The phone might be bulky for some
As the top gaming phone model from Xiaomi, the Black Shark 3 makes its mark — though other phones on this list have better specs. The phone’s design is flashy and bold with LED lights and plenty of space to hold it.
It has all the high-end specs found in today’s dedicated gaming phones with the Snapdragon 865 CPU. Plus, the cameras are solid. They really work well with low lighting.
The only thing that might make this phone rank below others on the list is its 90Hz refresh rate and lack of dedicated gaming features.
4. Asus ROG Phone 5
Specs, pros, and cons
- Dimensions: 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3mm
- CPU – Snapdragon 888
- RAM – 8/12/16GB
- Storage – 128/256GB
- Screen size – 6.78-inch
- Resolution – 1080 x 2448
- Battery – 6,000mAh
- OS – Android
- Released – April 2021
Pros
- Highest performing gaming smartphone on the market
- Unrivaled speakers and display
Cons
- The phone is on the heavier side
- Lacks a telephoto lens for the camera
If you weren’t already impressed by the Asus ROG Phone 3, the developers would like you to hold their drink. The ROG 5 is simply sensational.
The phone’s chip power is unrivaled in its class and handles up to 16GB of RAM. Plus, the refresh rate on the screen goes at 144Hz with touch sampling at 300Hz. That’ll give you a faster gaming experience than any other phone on the market.
It comes with a gigantic screen backed by two front-facing speakers that integrate nicely with the performance speed. All-in-all, you’ll have trouble finding a better gaming phone — even on this list!
5. Nubia Red Magic 5G
Specs, pros and cons
- Dimensions: 168.6 x 78 x 9.8mm
- CPU – Snapdragon 865
- RAM – 8/12GB
- Storage – 128/256GB
- Screen size – 6.65-inch
- Resolution – 1080 x 2340
- Battery – 4,500mAh
- OS – Android
- Released – March 2020
Pros
- Has a 144Hz screen that’s the ultimate for gaming
- Offers shoulder triggers like on a console controller
Cons
- Can’t really customize the OS
- The display has high refresh but low resolution
With the first 144Hz display, the Nubia Red Magic 5G had the competition beat at release. It’s now the ideal gaming refresh rate that makes games run smoothly. But just because the competition caught up doesn’t make it any less of an amazing gaming phone. Plus, the display is super bright with a decent resolution.
The developers put gamers first with the list of gaming features on the phone. It has shoulder triggers and a ‘4D shock’ feature to enhance the gaming experience. And it also comes with a liquid cooling system and fan to keep your hands from getting sweaty when things get intense.
However, low resolution can be a downside for some gamers. So make sure to test it in the store before making a purchase.
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