Top 5 Gamer-Focused Smartphones : Expert Review by ZDNet

Top 5 Gamer-Focused Smartphones : Expert Review

If you’re a mobile gamer, having the best smartphone can make a massive difference in your gaming experience. Today’s best gaming phones can deliver smooth playing experiences that compete with popular consoles and gaming systems – all from the convenience of your smartphone.

With so many options on the market, how do you choose the right gaming phone? You’ll want to look for something robust and reliable, with high resolution, a fast refresh rate display, and plenty of power. Each of the options below checks these boxes, so keep reading to find the best gaming phone for you.

Show less

View now at Nubia

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links

If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro

Best gaming phone overall

Nubia RedMagic, the gaming arm of Chinese manufacturer ZTE, has been churning out value-driven gaming phones since 2015. Its latest, the RedMagic 7 Pro, is one of the most complete devices that we’ve tested to date.

From the get-go, the phone looks and feels like a true gaming phone, with a bold design and edgy aesthetics. The Supernova variant sports a transparent back that showcases the bevy of gaming-centric features within the device, like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 16GB of RAM, Octa-core CPU, a massive 5,000mAh battery, and the RedMagic’s key selling point: a 20,000 RPM Turbofan. That fan, along with a series of cooling elements within the phone keeps it from overheating and the battery from degrading as fast – both of which are common issues with gaming phones.

The RedMagic 7 Pro fields a massive 6.8-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display to visualize all the animations and stylistic icons of its Android 12-based software. Turn on any game and Nubia’s Game Space (and the Turbofan) kicks into high gear, providing you with an ample amount of in-game controls, toggles, and plugins. One of which lets you map the shoulder triggers of the phone, giving you an added dimension of inputs no matter what game you play.

More: Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro full review

Pros	Cons
16GB of RAM powers through any app or game20,000 RPM Turbofan keeps the phone running efficiently5,000mAh battery with 65W fast charging	No IP ratingCameras are mediocreNo wireless charging

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro

Best value

Black Shark, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, is another contender within the gaming phone market. While costing significantly less than the competition, Black Shark phones tend to carry specs and features that rival that of the very best.

The latest Black Shark 4 Pro is no different. It starts at just $569 – close to half the cost of the aforementioned picks – but comes equipped with a 6.67-inch, 144Hz AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, up to 12GB of RAM, and a 4,500mAh battery that’s capable of 120W fast charging. Basically, the Black Shark is a gaming flagship killer.

Even then, the highlights of the device are the magnetic, retractable shoulder triggers. Unlike the touch capacitive ones on the Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro, these physical buttons can pop up from the device. That way, the phone stays sleek and uniform when they’re not in use and becomes a full-on gaming device when they are.

More: Black Shark 4 Pro full review

Pros	Cons
Exceptionally good value for a gaming phone120W fast charging is stupendously quickRetractable shoulder triggers are a gamer’s dream	No MicroSD card slotSoftware update cadence can be better4,500mAh battery is not the best

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon

ASUS ROG Phone 5S

Best battery life

The ASUS ROG Phone 5S is another comparable gaming flagship, from the sizeable screen to the high-quality audio to the powerful hardware.

This phone offers a top-notch player experience, thanks to the lightning-fast refresh rate (144Hz), GameFX audio system, and gamer-friendly design. Inside, there’s last year’s Snapdragon 888 processor, which remains a champion for computing power and can operate all types of games. There’s also a huge 6,000mAh battery that’s designed for extended sessions. At that size, the ASUS ROG Phone 5S is our top pick if you seek a gaming phone with high endurance.

While short of the extra fans and buttons, the ASUS ROG Phone 5S is still a worthy second option to the Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro. There’s a global version of this gaming smartphone available, but it is only compatible with GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint customers can look to our other picks for a similar gaming experience.

Pros	Cons
6,000mAh battery tops the leaderboard for enduranceSleek curved design is comfortable to hold144Hz refresh rate	Dull design with some RGB on the backNot compatible with CDMA networksOnly one shoulder trigger

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Samsung View now at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Best mainstream phone for gaming

While the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra isn’t marketed solely toward gamers, it’s one of the best mainstream phones that can handle graphics-intensive titles.

On the surface, the Galaxy S22 Ultra fields a spec sheet that competes with traditional gaming phones. With a large 6.8-inch, 120Hz AMOLED screen, the latest Qualcomm processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery, gamers will feel at home with a device of this caliber.

The best part? Being a flagship that’s tailored towards the masses, buying the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra means that you’re getting more than just a capable phone for gaming. You’re getting one of the highest-end mobile experiences on the market, with a feature set that will carry you through any task. And with the new, but familiar, S Pen built-in, you can relive the Nintendo DS days.

More: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra full review

Pros	Cons
Latest Snapdragon processor with up to 16GB RAMBest-in-class AMOLED displayCamera and S Pen puts the S22 Ultra above traditional gaming phones	Boxy, all-glass design is not the most durableVery expensive at $1,199Battery life can be better

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy

OnePlus 10 Pro

Best mainstream value

Another recommendation among the mainstream options is the new OnePlus 10 Pro. While not as RAM and storage heavy as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the OnePlus offers a similar gaming experience for $300 less.

The phone comes with a 6.7-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery with 65W fast charging (80W outside of North America), and runs on OxygenOS based on Android 12. Like previous OnePlus devices, the 10 Pro sticks to the brand’s strengths: Ultra smooth performance and speed. From navigating around apps to loading high-demand games, the OnePlus 10 Pro provides a flagship Android experience. It also features the iconic alert slider, so you can toggle off notifications as you game on.

At $899, the phone isn’t cheap per se, but it undercuts the best that Samsung and Apple have to offer while matching the levels of output. There’s also the new second-generation Hasselblad camera system, which captures excellent photos and videos in various environments.

More: OnePlus 10 Pro full review

Pros	Cons
$899 price tag undercuts mainstream flagshipsSmooth and snappy software experience5,000mAh battery and 65W SuperVOOC charging	No IP certification (besides US T-Mobile version)Lack of mmWave 5G bandsNo MicroSD card support

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Apple

iPhone 13 Pro Max

Best iPhone for gaming

As you’ve probably noticed, Android phones make up a majority of the best gaming phones on the market. However, some Apple products hold their own, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max being the best iOS option for gamers.

Even though the 6GB of RAM seems laughable compared to the double digit specs of other options on this list, the iPhone is notorious for its class-leading efficiency and performance optimizations. To add, there are still plenty of iPhone perks for gamers. Most notably, this phone is built with Apple’s industry-leading A15 Bionic chipset, beating out most flagships in synthetic benchmark tests. And, of course, graphics look incredible on the 6.7-inch OLED display, now with a 120Hz refresh rate to keep things smooth.

With a starting price of $1,099, you might be wondering: is the iPhone 13 Pro Max worth it for gamers? We think so – as long as you’re okay with giving up a few best-in-class gaming features in exchange for the other fantastic benefits included with Apple phones such as the spectacular front and rear camera features. If the Max is too big, there’s also the regular iPhone 13 Pro, which has proven to be just as capable for mobile gaming.

More: iPhone 13 Pro Max full review

Pros	Cons
Best-in-class iPhone experienceLong-lasting battery lifeIndustry-leading software update policy	iPhone App Store is not as expansive as Google’sNo sideloading apps or plug-insLightning port is not as universal

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

View now at Walmart

Pros

An innovative engineering marvel Armor Aluminum material for a lighter and sleeker phone High IPX8 water resistant design Extensive S Pen support Software optimized for foldables

Cons

An innovative engineering marvel Armor Aluminum material for a lighter and sleeker phone High IPX8 water resistant design Extensive S Pen support Software optimized for foldables

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Best foldable for gaming

By virtue of its design, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a great pick for gamers. When opened, the display expands to a whopping 7.6 inches, which is far more screen space than you’ll get from a traditional phone.

Excitingly, this foldable phone also has powerful hardware to complement its spacious screen design. Not only does it offer 5G connectivity (thanks to the Snapdragon 888 processor), but it also has a gamer-friendly 120Hz refresh rate. On top of that, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 supports the Samsung S Pen stylus, which offers even more ways to use this versatile phone.

Also: The 5 best stylus phones out right now

As you might expect, all of this extra screen space is reflected in the phone’s cost. Prices start at $1,780 for the 256GB model, so you’ll need to consider whether or not the larger size and folding functionality are worth the money. Fortunately, the phone has been out for a couple of months now, so you can pick one up brand new for as little as $1,499.

More: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 full review

Pros	Cons
Folding form factor provides gaming versatility7.6-inch display is as big as a phone screen getsS Pen stylus support	More delicate than slab smartphonesVery expensive4,400mAh battery is lackluster for how big the phone is

Show Expert Take Show less

How did we choose these products?

To curate this list of the best phones for gaming, we searched the market for a well-rounded range of products, making sure to include options for every shopper. In most cases, ZDNet’s team of subject matter experts have spent up to months testing and reviewing the devices to discern the best from the worst. Our research process also takes into account pricing, technical specifications, customer reviews, and product availability. Each of our picks can be purchased through the manufacturer’s website or from popular retailers like Amazon or Walmart.

What is the best gaming phone?

We know that different people might be looking for different things when shopping for the best gaming phone. For example, if you want the fastest and most powerful gaming phone on the market, look for products built on innovative processors (like Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and A15) with fast refresh rates and high storage capacity. After evaluating the seven gaming phones above, we concluded that the Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro was the best gaming phone to buy.

However, if you’re on a budget, then price will probably be your biggest consideration. In that case, we’d recommend an affordable option like the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro or the OnePlus 10 Pro. While they might be slightly less powerful than the best gaming phone, they’ll still offer the essential functionality that you’d need.

Model	Display size	Refresh rate	Processor	Battery	Price
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro	6.8-inch AMOLED	120Hz	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	5,000mAh	$899
Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro	6.67-inch AMOLED	144Hz	Snapdragon 888	4,500mAh	$569
ASUS ROG Phone 5S	6.78-inch AMOLED	144Hz	Snapdragon 888	6,000mAh	$1,099
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra	6.8-inch AMOLED	120Hz	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	5,000mAh	$1,199
OnePlus 10 Pro	6.7-inch AMOLED	120Hz	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	5,000mAh	$899
iPhone 13 Pro Max	6.7-inch AMOLED	120Hz	Apple A15 Bionic	4,352mAh	$1,099
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3	7.6-inch and 6.2-inch AMOLED	120Hz, 60Hz	Snapdragon 888	4,400mAh	$1,749

What is a gaming phone?

Technically, any phone that allows you to play games could be considered a gaming phone. However, there are a handful of phones that have been designed and marketed as “gaming phones,” such as the ASUS ROG Phone 5S. For the purposes of our review, we’ve highlighted some of these products, as well as more mainstream options that would work well for gamers (like the iPhone 13 Pro Max).

Do you need a dedicated gaming phone?

Not necessarily. Some popular non-gaming phones are powerful enough to support rigorous mobile gaming. Plus, these phones often outperform dedicated gaming phones when it comes to other features (like camera quality and design).

Still, if you love mobile gaming and want a product that’s designed for that specific purpose, then a gaming phone might be the right choice.

What should you look for in a gaming phone?

There are several things to look for when shopping for the best gaming phone. First, you’ll want to look for a phone with a fast, modern processor. The processor is the central technical component of a smartphone, overseeing every command and ensuring your phone performs the tasks you ask of it. Right now, the best processors include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Apple A15 Bionic.

Additionally, you’ll also want to look for a phone with a high screen refresh rate. Measured in Hertz (Hz), this number is an expression of how many times your screen refreshes every second. As you might expect, a higher refresh rate is essential for a smooth gaming experience with less lag. Today’s best gaming phones have refresh rates of at least 120Hz.

Finally, keep an eye out for phones with ample storage, Random Access Memory (RAM), and battery life. Simply put, the more storage, RAM, and battery capacity your phone has, the better it will be for mobile gaming. You’ll be able to enjoy longer, uninterrupted gaming sessions without slowing down your phone or draining the battery.

Are gaming phones worth it?

A gaming phone can absolutely be worth it if you are someone who primarily uses your phone for portable gaming. A dedicated gaming phone is not necessary if you prefer to game on a console or PC and use your phone for more every day activities such as calls, emails, camera capabilities, and more.

Can I use a gaming headset with my phone?

Most gaming headsets are compatible with phones, if the phone uses a standard 3.5mm audio jack. Many phones today have moved away from the 3.5mm jack, to allow for the phone itself to be thinner and not have to accompany the traditional headphone jack. Several phones on this list, such as the iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22, use USB-C or lightning cables, however, the easy fix to this problem is to use a dongle that converts from 3.5mm jack to USB-C.

Are there alternatives worth considering?

We think that the phones listed above are your best bet for gaming. However, some other well-known phones can get the job done. Although they didn’t make our final list, they’re still impressive and capable products.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus $674.99 at Amazon

OnePlus 9 Pro $462.23 at Amazon

Nubia RedMagic 7 View now at Amazon