The Asus ROG Phone 3 Strix and Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the gaming phone market. The ROG Phone 3 Strix, while older, remains a strong contender due to its established gaming ecosystem. The Black Shark 4 Pro, leveraging the newer Snapdragon 888, promises a significant performance leap and blazing-fast charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the ultimate mobile gaming experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage, and the 120W charging is a game-changer, minimizing downtime. While the ROG Phone 3 Strix remains capable, the Black Shark 4 Pro’s speed and convenience outweigh its predecessor’s established features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 4.0 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 22. Released 2020, July 23 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78 x 9.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.39 in) | 163.8 x 76.4 x 9.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 240 g (8.47 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| | RGB light panel (on the back)
Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) | Physical pop-up gaming triggers |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~79.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 650 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 10, ROG UI | Android 11, Joy UI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2 (China), 5.0 (Global), A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (China only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD3.0, QC4
10W reverse wired | 120W wired, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black Glare | Shadow Black, Misty Grey, Cosmos Black, Dark Blue, Silver |
| Models | ASUS_I003DD | SHARK PAR-H0 |
| Price | About 1400 EUR | About 500 EUR |
Asus ROG Phone 3 Strix
- Established gaming ecosystem and accessories
- Potentially more comfortable screen for flicker-sensitive users
- Refined software experience (historically)
- Older Snapdragon 865 chipset
- Slower 30W charging
- Potentially lower peak performance in demanding games
Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Blazing-fast 120W charging
- Improved graphics processing with Adreno 660
- Snapdragon 888 can run hotter, requiring effective cooling
- Software experience may be less polished
- Potentially less mature accessory ecosystem
Display Comparison
While both phones feature high refresh rate displays, the specifics aren't provided. However, given the ROG Phone's history, it likely boasts a higher PWM dimming rate, potentially making it more comfortable for users sensitive to screen flicker. The Black Shark 4 Pro, being newer, may benefit from advancements in panel technology, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The absence of LTPO information means we can't assess dynamic refresh rate efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn't the primary focus of gaming phones, but the Black Shark 4 Pro likely benefits from the newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 888. Without sensor size details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the 888’s ISP generally offers improved noise reduction and dynamic range. The ROG Phone 3 Strix likely prioritizes a more color-accurate profile, while the Black Shark 4 Pro may lean towards more vibrant, social media-friendly images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) represents a significant architectural upgrade over the Asus ROG Phone 3 Strix’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core delivers superior single-core performance, while its Adreno 660 GPU provides a substantial boost in graphics processing power. The 5nm process node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, the Snapdragon 888 is known to run hotter, so Xiaomi’s cooling solution is critical. Both phones utilize Octa-core CPUs, but the 888’s newer core designs offer a clear advantage.
Battery Life
The Black Shark 4 Pro’s 120W charging is a standout feature, capable of charging the phone from 0-100% in just 15 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime compared to the ROG Phone 3 Strix’s 30W charging. While the ROG Phone 3 Strix may have a slightly larger battery capacity (information not provided), the Black Shark 4 Pro’s charging speed effectively negates any potential advantage in endurance. The faster charging allows for quick top-ups during breaks, keeping gamers in the action longer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Asus ROG Phone 3 Strix if you prioritize a mature gaming ecosystem with extensive accessory support and are comfortable with a slightly slower processor. It’s ideal for users who value long-term software support and a more refined user experience. Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro if you demand the fastest possible performance, incredibly rapid charging, and are willing to accept a potentially less polished software experience. This is the phone for gamers who want to maximize their frame rates and minimize charging breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Black Shark 4 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than its predecessors. However, Xiaomi likely implemented an advanced cooling system (vapor chamber, multiple graphite layers) to mitigate throttling. Real-world performance will depend on the effectiveness of this cooling solution and ambient temperature. Monitoring temperatures during extended gameplay is recommended.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the Black Shark 4 Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Xiaomi employs multiple safety mechanisms to protect the battery during 120W charging, including temperature monitoring and optimized charging algorithms. While fast charging can theoretically contribute to battery degradation over time, the benefits of reduced downtime often outweigh the potential risks for most users. The phone's software manages the charging process to minimize stress on the battery.
❓ Can the Asus ROG Phone 3 Strix still run demanding games like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865 in the ROG Phone 3 Strix is still a capable chipset and can run most mobile games at high settings. However, you may experience slightly lower frame rates and potentially more noticeable throttling compared to the Black Shark 4 Pro, especially during extended gaming sessions. Lowering graphics settings can help maintain smoother performance.
