The market for gaming phones is shrinkingโbut gamers on a budget may actually be better off.
With ASUS exiting the smartphone business, one of the biggest names in gaming phones has effectively stepped away from the scene. The Republic of Gamers (ROG) series once defined high-end mobile gaming, but its departure underscores a broader shift: dedicated gaming phones are becoming rarer, while powerful midrange devices are stepping in to fill the gap.
The upside? You no longer need to spend flagship-level money to get a capable gaming phone.
In 2025, the sub-โฑ25,000 segment became surprisingly competitive, with brands offering hardware once reserved for premium devices. Features like UFS 4.0 storage and LPDDR5X RAMโstill uncommon in midrange phonesโbegan appearing in more affordable models, setting the tone for what gamers can expect heading into 2026.
Here are some of the standout midrange gaming phones worth considering this year:
Infinix GT 30 Pro (โฑ16,999)
Infinix raised the bar with the GT 30 Pro, positioning it as one of the most gaming-focused phones in its price range. It offers up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, a Dimensity 8350 processor, and capacitive side triggersโfeatures typically seen in higher-end gaming phones.
The device also supports magnetic accessories, including an external cooler that doubles as a wireless charging and bypass charging solution to help manage heat during extended gaming sessions.
TECNO POVA 7 Ultra (โฑ16,999)
Sharing the same Dimensity 8350 chip as the GT 30 Pro, the POVA 7 Ultra focuses on battery life and charging speed.
Its 6,000mAh battery aligns with the growing trend toward larger power cells, while 70W fast charging allows the phone to fully charge in under an hourโminimizing downtime between gaming sessions.
POCO X7 Pro (โฑ17,599)
POCO continues to dominate the value-for-money category with the X7 Pro.
Powered by the Dimensity 8400, itโs one of the most powerful phones in its class and among the first midrange devices to pair UFS 4.0 storage with LPDDR5X RAM. While it lacks wireless charging, its 90W fast charging can refill the 6,000mAh battery in around 40 minutes.
OnePlus Nord CE5 (โฑ19,990)
The Nord CE5 takes a different approach. While its 8GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage are more modest on paper, it stands out with a massive 7,300mAh battery paired with 80W charging.
Combined with the efficiency of OxygenOS, the phone delivers long gaming sessions without frequent rechargingโeven for demanding titles like Genshin Impact.
POCO F7 (โฑ21,600)
For gamers willing to stretch their budget slightly beyond โฑ20,000, the POCO F7 offers flagship-level performance at a lower price. Itโs the most affordable phone powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, outperforming the Dimensity 8400 found in cheaper rivals.
The device also features a larger display, faster UFS 4.1 storage, and a 6,500mAh battery with 90W charging.
As dedicated gaming phones become less common, midrange devices are increasingly doing the heavy lifting. For 2026, that means more choices, better specs, and stronger performanceโwithout the flagship price tag.
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