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Best Budget Gaming Phones for 2025: Top Picks for Every Gamer
What if someone gave you two choices—a top-of-the-line gaming console or one of the best budget gaming phones on the market? For many, the answer is obvious. After all, owning the latest PS5 Pro or Xbox sounds great. But honestly, unless you’re a heavy gamer, most game lovers can make do with a good gaming smartphone—it’s portable and convenient, giving us much-needed relief between a hard or stressful work day.
However, with the tech world moving so fast, picking the best gaming smartphones can be difficult, especially if you’re on a budget. In this blog, we’ll be covering the top cheap gaming phones of 2025. Without wasting more time, let’s dive in!
Overview
Samsung Gaming Phones
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Specs at a Glance
- Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X
- Processor: Exynos 2400e
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- Battery: 4700mAh
- Cameras: 50MP (main), 12MP (ultrawide), 8MP (telephoto)
- Front Camera: 10MP
- OS: Android 14 with One UI 6
Why You’ll Love It
- It is an affordable flagship with premium features at a $650 price tag.
- Great camera performance for stunning photos and videos.
- 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display delivers bright, clear visuals.
- Galaxy AI features such as Circle to Search and Sketch to Image enhance user experience.
- Long software support with regular updates from Samsung.
Why You Might Pass
- No Snapdragon processor, which might be a dealbreaker for some users.
- It has a slightly weaker display and performance compared to the Galaxy S24.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE offers a flagship experience without the price tag. The 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display, with vibrant colours and sharp details, is perfect for gaming. You can even game non-stop for hours with the 4700mAh battery. The 50MP main camera is perfect for photos and videos if you stream gaming content on your phone.
Although it doesn't have a Snapdragon processor like most phones in the Galaxy S Series, the Exynos 2400e still delivers smooth day-to-day performance. You’ll appreciate Galaxy AI features, which will take your gaming experience to the next level. The affordable price tag and premium construction make it a solid choice for gamers looking for a well-rounded device without spending a fortune.
iPhone Gaming Phones
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Specs at a Glance:
- Display: 6.9-inch OLED (2868 x 1320), 120Hz refresh rate
- Chipset: A18 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (No expandable storage)
- Cameras: 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x telephoto (Rear) /
- Front Camera: 12MP
- Battery Life: 4685mAh
- OS: iOS 18
Why You’ll Love It:
- Biggest iPhone screen ever
- Much better battery life
- Blazing-fast performance
Why You Might Pass:
- Only the wireless charging saw an upgrade
- The bigger screen makes it tougher to use one-handed
Apple doesn’t exactly market the iPhone 16 Pro Max as a cheap gaming phone, but that does not mean it cannot game like a pro. Games look and run smoothly with the A18 Pro chip and the huge 6.9-inch display. It offers incredible battery life, so you can keep gaming for hours without worrying about running out of juice.
Beyond gaming, the Apple Intelligence AI features are slowly expanding, making this phone smarter and smarter. Whether you're gaming, watching videos, or just enjoying iOS, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is an absolute powerhouse.
Realme Gaming Phones
Realme 12X
Specs at a Glance
- Display: 6.67-inch FHD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm)
- RAM: 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB Dynamic RAM
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Battery: 5000mAh, 45W SUPERVOOC charging
- Cameras: 50MP main, 2MP depth (rear); 8MP front
- OS: Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Why You’ll Love It
- Smooth performance with Dimensity 6100+ chipset.
- 120Hz display for fluid gaming.
- 5000mAh battery with 45W SUPERVOOC charging.
- Stylish design and durable build.
Why You Might Pass
- Low-light camera performance could be better.
- The depth sensor doesn’t add much to photos.
The Realme 12X is one of the best cheap gaming phones 2in 025. With the Dimensity 6100+ processor and 120Hz display, you get lag-free and responsive gaming, even with relatively graphics-heavy games. The 8GB Dynamic RAM lets you open multiple apps and games without lag.
The 5000mAh battery lets you play for hours without reaching for the charger every few minutes. And if you need to charge, the 45W SUPERVOOC charging gives you 50% power in just 30 minutes so you won’t miss too much playing time.
Though the camera performance is decent, it’s not the phone’s forte. The low-light shots can be grainy, and the depth sensor has little to add for those who wish to capture high-quality portraits.
Xiaomi Gaming Phones
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Specs at a Glance
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1080
- Display: 6.67-inch OLED, 120Hz refresh rate
- RAM: 6GB, 8GB or 12GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro (rear); 16MP front
- Dimensions: 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.5mm
Why You’ll Love It
- Amazing display – 120Hz OLED is perfect for smooth gaming and vibrant visuals.
- Great performance for the price – Handles games like Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact easily.
- Premium look and feel – Gorilla glass back gives it a stylish, high-end vibe.
Why You Might Pass
- No expandable storage – You’re stuck with what you’ve got.
- No wireless charging – Not the most convenient for quick charging.
- Android support is slow – Updates can lag behind other brands.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is a top choice for gamers on a budget. The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip can easily run graphics-heavy games like Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact. The 120Hz OLED display is gorgeous, and the games look crisp and vibrant even in intense sunlight.
Despite the absence of expandable storage and wireless charging, the 5000mAh battery lasts long enough to allow hours of gaming. The Game Turbo feature enables you to optimize graphics to get the best from your games. With stereo speakers and the option to have external audio through Bluetooth or a headphone jack, the audio is also exceptional.
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If you're looking for a top-budget gaming phone for 2025 with an amazing display and solid performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is worth considering!
Oppo Gaming Phones
Oppo Reno 12 FS 5G
Specs at a Glance
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300
- Display: 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz
- RAM: 8GB or 12GB
- Storage: 256GM or 512GB
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro (rear); 32MP front
- OS: ColorOS 14
- Dimensions: 163.05 x 75.75 x 7.76mm
Why You’ll Love It
- Impressive display – 120Hz refresh rate gives a smooth and vibrant experience.
- Excellent value for money – 12GB RAM and 512GB storage at a budget-friendly price.
- Great battery life – 5000mAh lasts all day with good standby performance.
Why You Might Pass
- Inconsistent performance – While good for everyday tasks, it’s not the fastest in gaming or multitasking.
- The cameras aren’t amazing – The performance is decent but not great for serious photography.
The Oppo Reno 12 FS 5G offers excellent value for buyers on a budget. The 12GB RAM and 512GB storage are ample, and the phone runs most mobile games effortlessly, making it suitable for casual gamers. The 120Hz FHD+ display adds value, creating a smooth and enjoyable viewing experience.
The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip is sufficient for gaming, and although it won't be breaking any performance records, it’s more than capable of running games at medium settings. The 5000mAh battery will let you play for a pretty long time before you'll need to recharge.
Conversely, the camera is somewhat disappointing, especially in low light. If you’re after a gaming phone but don’t need the absolute best possible camera performance, the Oppo Reno 12 FS 5G is an excellent choice.
OnePlus Gaming Phones
OnePlus 10T 5G
Specs at a Glance
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
- RAM: 8GB or 16GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Battery: 4800mAh
- Cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro (rear); 16MP front
- OS: Android 12, OxygenOS 13
Why You’ll Love It
- Solid performance – The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip can handle any mobile game smoothly.
- Bright, smooth display – 120Hz AMOLED screen makes everything look great.
- Great value for the price – Offers flagship features without the flagship price.
Why You Might Pass
- Disappointing cameras – Good in daylight but grainy in low light.
- No wireless charging – A bit of a letdown in 2025.
- Only splash-resistant – Not the most durable for water exposure.
The OnePlus 10T 5G is an excellent value for anyone who wants a solid gaming phone without shelling out too much. Driven by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, it’s more than a match for demanding games like Genshin Impact or Black Clover M. Whether you go for the 8GB or 16GB RAM variant, the 120Hz AMOLED display ensures lag-free gaming and vivid graphics.
The 4800mAh battery isn’t the biggest, but it’s sufficient for a full gaming session, and the super-fast wired charging gets you back in action in no time.
Sadly, the camera is not that great, especially in low light, so if you're in the market for a phone that excels at photography and gaming, you might have to search elsewhere. But if you're solely interested in gaming and performance, the OnePlus 10T 5G is a bargain at this price!
Motorola Gaming Phones
Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Specs at a Glance
- Display: 6.7-inch P-OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB, expandable via MicroSD
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Cameras: 50MP main, 13MP ultra-wide (rear); 32MP front
- OS: Android 14, up to 1 major Android upgrade
Why You’ll Love It
- Stylus is included for a fraction of the price compared to high-end devices.
- Beautiful AMOLED display with vibrant colours and great viewing angles.
- Solid performance with Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and 8GB of RAM.
- Excellent battery life that lasts all day.
- MicroSD card slot and 3.5mm headphone jack for more storage and audio options.
Why You Might Pass
- Software support is limited, with only one major Android upgrade.
- Slow fingerprint sensor, which can be frustrating at times.
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a well-rounded phone with a budget price tag. It offers a seamless gaming experience thanks to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip, and games look great on the 120Hz AMOLED display. The 5000mAh battery also lets you play for hours on a single charge.
In addition, the stylus adds extra utility, and it's great for sketching or jotting down notes when taking a break from gaming. It's not perfect, especially regarding software support, but for the price, it's a solid option for anyone looking for a stylus device on a budget. Refurbished Motorola phones offer a more affordable way to enjoy all these features.
ASUS Gaming Phones
Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro
Specs at a Glance
- Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 185Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Cameras: 50MP main rear, 13MP ultra-wide, 32MP telephoto; 32MP front
- Storage: 512GB or 1TB
- RAM: 16GM or 24GB
- Battery: 5800 mAh
- OS: Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Why You’ll Love It
- Incredibly powerful – Handles any mobile game without breaking a sweat
- 185Hz AMOLED display – Super smooth visuals for the best gaming experience
- Anime Vision back display – A cool LED feature for extra flair
- Touch triggers – Still the best in the business for responsive gameplay
Why You Might Pass
- Expensive – This is a top-tier phone with a premium price tag
- Off-center USB-C port – A bit inconvenient when using a mobile controller
The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro is one of the best 5G gaming phones of 2025, and it has everything a gamer could ever desire. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, up to 24GB of RAM, and an 185Hz AMOLED screen, it offers flawless performance for any mobile game. This phone can handle anything, whether diving into competitive shooters or high-end RPGs.
It has all the power you need, Air Trigger controls, and a set of touch-sensitive buttons that make controlling games like Call of Duty Mobile a breeze. The AniMe Vision rear screen adds a unique touch, with customizable LED lights showing game-related animations or other cool effects.
With a 5,500mAh battery, the ROG Phone 9 Pro will get you around 5.5 hours of heavy gaming before needing to be topped up, which isn't bad. The Armory Crate app also gives you access to performance modes, in-game overlays, and AI-powered features like noise cancellation and automatic gameplay recording. And with our refurbished ASUS phones, you can enjoy all of this and more at a more affordable price.
Final Thoughts
These gaming phones are some of the best available, but the market is always evolving, with new models hitting the shelves. Whether you are interested in refurbished Samsung Galaxy phones or other options, there’s always something fresh to consider.
So be sure to revisit regularly to stay updated on the latest options. If you’re after something more general-purpose, don’t forget to check out our extensive collection of second-hand phones.
Posted by Liam Harris
Liam Harris
I’m Liam Harris, a tech writer at Phonebot with a passion for technology. I provide trusted insights on refurbished phones, tablets, and accessories, focusing on quality, sustainability, and affordability. With a solid understanding of the refurbished market, I offer practical tips, product comparisons, and the latest tech updates to help you make informed decisions. My goal is to connect you with high-quality devices that fit your budget and lifestyle. Stay tuned for more on the best in refurbished tech here at Phonebot.
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