Does it still make sense to buy a gaming phone in 2022?

Just a few years ago, Android OEMs launched a new concept called gaming smartphones. These devices came with a flagship processor (bundled speed), a higher refresh rate screen, and a robust battery. As brands like Asus continue to make gaming smartphones, they might become slightly irrelevant.

Take the Asus ROG Phone 6 as an example, the latest flagship gaming smartphone with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, 165Hz refresh rate display and 6000mAh battery. The device currently costs Rs. 71,999, making it an expensive deal.

Likewise, if you look at devices like the OnePlus 10T 5G and iQOO 9T 5G, those phones also come with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC with a 120Hz AMOLED display. Again, not on par with the spec. technical, but they have the same chip, probably offering a similar experience.

Gaming phones are thick and bulky

One of the main reasons why I simply wouldn’t recommend a gaming smartphone to a normal user is the fact that it’s heavy and bulky, and can even tire your hands with continuous use. The added extra weight adds a bit of value to the device, for example in terms of battery life or cooling solution, but a regular user might not get much out of it.

Let’s talk about games

Gaming smartphones come with a few physical attributes that we usually won’t see on a regular smartphone. These devices will mostly have features like a physical/capacitive shoulder button as well as things like a dedicated headphone jack, and some phones even offer LED lighting for some extra bling.

Most popular games like COD: Mobile, BGMI and PUBG New State only support a maximum of 90 frames per second. Therefore, phones like the ROG Phone 6, despite having a higher refresh rate display, will feel like a phone with a 90Hz display. Yes, some games support a higher refresh rate . However, they are mostly arcade-style games that don’t require high-end hardware.

We’re not even talking about iPhones

If you want a gaming smartphone, Apple’s latest iPhone is probably your best bet. Games will be better optimized for iPhones and users can also expect smooth gameplay even on the most demanding games like Genshin Impact and COD: Mobile.

So who should buy a gaming phone?

Gaming phones aren’t bad, they just aren’t as appealing as their predecessors. Most gaming phones now focus on looks rather than practicality and offer something a regular smartphone doesn’t. If you want a phone with good speakers, a big screen, and good battery life, then a gaming phone is the one you should go for.

If you want a device that’s as powerful as a gaming smartphone, easy to handle, and has a good camera setup, you might need to start looking for performance-oriented devices. Phones like the OnePlus 10T 5G and iOOQ 9T are some of the best performance-centric devices currently available in India.

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