It’s the final circle. You’re 1v1, you have the perfect angle, you pull the trigger… and your gaming phone stutters. A single frame drop, and you’re back in the lobby.
In 2025, “phone gaming” isn’t a casual hobby; it’s a competitive sport. Games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact demand high refresh rates, instant touch response, and, most importantly, zero lag.
But the Pakistani market is a minefield of confusing options. You have overpriced flagships, cheap phones with “gaming” stickers, and a chaotic used market.
We’ve cut through the noise. This is your no-nonsense guide to the 5 best gaming phones you can actually buy in Pakistan right now, for every budget.
Quick Guide: What Actually Matters for Gaming?
Before we start, ignore 90% of the marketing. You only need to care about four things:
- Processor (Chipset): This is the engine. It’s the only thing that determines your frame rate (fps).
- Elite: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Gen 3.
- Great: MediaTek Dimensity 9200 or 8200 series.
- Good: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (from used flagships).
- Refresh Rate (Screen): This is how “smooth” the game looks. A 120Hz or 144Hz screen is a massive advantage over a standard 60Hz.
- Cooling: A powerful chip gets hot. When it gets hot, it throttles (slows down), and you lag. Good cooling (like a vapor chamber or a built-in fan) is essential.
- Battery & Charging: You need at least 5000mAh and fast charging (65W+) to get back in the game quickly.
The 5 Best Gaming Phones in Pakistan (Late 2025)
Here are the top picks, from the ultimate beast to the best-value-for-money.
1. The Undisputed King: Red Magic 9 Pro
If money is no object and gaming is your life, this is your weapon. The Red Magic 9 Pro is not a “phone that can game”; it is a portable console that can also make calls.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Screen: 6.8″ AMOLED, 120Hz (completely flat, no notch)
- Why it Wins: It has a built-in, high-speed cooling fan. This is the ultimate trump card. While an iPhone 15 Pro will overheat and throttle after 30 minutes, the Red Magic 9 Pro will never drop frames. It also has capacitive shoulder triggers, giving you a controller-like advantage.
- The Catch: It’s a specialist tool. The cameras are average, and it’s a bulky device.
- Approx. Price: PKR 260,000 – 300,000 (Non-PTA)
2. The Flagship Killer: Poco F7 Pro
This is the phone for the 99%. Poco single-handedly defined the “flagship killer” market, and the F7 Pro continues that legacy. It gives you 95% of the performance of a 4-lakh Samsung for less than half the price.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or Gen 2, depending on the model you find)
- Screen: 6.67″ 2K AMOLED, 120Hz
- Why it Wins: Pure value. You get the best (or second-best) Snapdragon chip, a gorgeous 2K 120Hz screen, and insane 90W HyperCharge (0-100% in ~35 mins). It also has great cooling (LiquidCool Technology 4.0). For serious, competitive gamers on a high-end budget, this is the smartest buy.
- The Catch: The software (HyperOS) isn’t for everyone, and camera performance is good, but not S-series level.
- Approx. Price: PKR 185,999
3. The Mid-Range Beast: Infinix GT 20 Pro
Infinix has shocked the market with its “GT” series, and the GT 20 Pro is no exception. This phone is an absolute beast for its price, punching way above its weight and becoming the new king of the sub-100k segment.
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate
- Screen: 6.78″ AMOLED, 144Hz
- Why it Wins: A 144Hz screen and a dedicated gaming chip for under 1 lakh is an insane deal. The Dimensity 8200 is a highly capable chip that can easily handle PUBG and COD at 90fps. Its “Cyber Mecha” design also screams “gamer.”
- The Catch: 45W charging is a bit slow compared to competitors, and its cameras are just “okay.”
- Approx. Price: PKR 97,900
4. The Dark Horse (Used): iPhone 13 Pro Max
(Yes, I’m referencing my other guide). Listen—a 2-3 year old flagship is often more powerful than a brand new mid-range phone. The A15 Bionic chip in the 13 Pro Max is still an absolute powerhouse that easily outperforms new mid-range Androids.
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- Screen: 6.7″ Super Retina XDR, 120Hz ProMotion
- Why it Wins: Unbeatable optimization. Games on iOS are incredibly well-built. You get a stable, high frame rate, a 120Hz screen, and fantastic battery life. You can find a clean, used (kit) 13 Pro Max for the price of a new mid-range phone.
- The Catch: You must follow a used-buying guide to check for battery health (85%+) and avoid scams.
- Approx. Price: PKR 190,000 – 230,000 (Used, Non-PTA Kit)
Check out our old iPhone buying guide here.
5. The Best Budget Option: Poco X7 Pro 5G
If you’re on a tight budget and just want a reliable gaming experience without any frills, Poco’s X-series is the answer.
- Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (or similar-tier Dimensity)
- Screen: 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz
- Why it Wins: It brings the most important gaming features—a 120Hz AMOLED screen and a capable, modern processor—down to an unbeatable price point. You also get a 5100mAh battery and 67W fast charging. It’s the best all-around package for gaming if you’re under 1.5 lakh.
- The Catch: At max settings on very heavy games, you might see some frame drops, but for 90% of your COD/PUBG matches, it’s more than enough.
- Approx. Price: PKR 139,999
Final Verdict
- Money No Object: Red Magic 9 Pro.
- Best Value Flagship: Poco F7 Pro.
- Best Under 1 Lakh: Infinix GT 20 Pro.
- Best Used Deal: iPhone 13 Pro Max.
- Best All-Rounder Budget: Poco X7 Pro.
Stop blaming the lag. For the price of a few in-game skins, you can get a phone that actually keeps up with your skills.
What phone are you currently gaming on? Did I miss a budget beast? Let me know in the comments.