The iPhone SE 2022 trumps the M1-equipped iPad Air 5 and both Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra models in gaming tests

The iPhone SE 2022 may be one of the smallest smartphones on the market but bigger isn't always better and the US$429 compact lays a strong claim to being one of the most powerful devices on sale right now. A new gaming test has proven as much, with the iPhone SE 2022 outperforming heavy hitters like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. 

As tested by Golden Reviewer, the iPhone SE 2022 sees an average frame rate of 54.0 FPS on Genshin Impact, which is quite a bit better than other tested flagships. Tested flagships include the iPad Air 5, the Snapdragon Galaxy S22 Ultra, and the Exynos Galaxy S22 Ultra. Those three only saw average frame rates of 52.9, 42.1, and 36.1 FPS respectively.

Seeing as the M1 on the iPad Air 5 is a lot more powerful than the A15 on the iPhone SE 2022, one could question the accuracy of the test. There's a simple answer for the iPhone SE outperforming the iPad Air, though: the smaller phone is limited to 720p, while the iPad Air 2022 has a resolution of 1640 x 2360. The tablet has heavier lifting to do. A similar argument could be made for the Galaxy S22 Ultra models.

That said, the iPhone SE 2022's showing remains impressive, as it's by far the most efficient of the lot and also manages to be the second-coolest device by the end of the test, despite its considerably smaller chassis.

Buy the iPhone SE 2022 on Amazon.