Realme Q5 Pro vs. Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown

The mobile gaming scene is booming, and with it, the demand for powerful phones that can handle demanding titles. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Realme Q5 Pro and the Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro. Both offer impressive specs, but which one truly reigns supreme?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster charging (120W), the slightly more powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset, and dedicated gaming features. However, the Realme Q5 Pro offers excellent value with its Snapdragon 870 and competitive price.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme Q5 Pro	Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 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	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, April 20	2021, October 13
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 28	Available. Released 2021, October 16

Body
Dimensions	162.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)	163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	194.5 g (6.88 oz)	220 g (7.76 oz)
	-	Physical pop-up gaming triggers

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)	Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 660
OS	Android 12, Realme UI 3.0	Android 11, Joy UI 12.8

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 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	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm
Video	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	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

Battery
Charging	80W wired	120W wired, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Yellow	Black, White
Models	RMX3372	-
Price	About 330 EUR	About 650 EUR

Realme Q5 Pro

Excellent value for money
Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
Fast 80W charging
Likely a more compact design

Less powerful than the Black Shark 4S Pro
Charging speed slower than the Black Shark
Camera details less readily available
Potentially less robust cooling

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro

Blazing-fast 120W charging
Powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
Potentially better display
Robust cooling system

Higher price point
Larger and heavier design
May not offer significant performance gains over the Q5 Pro for casual users

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz or higher, though specific details for the Q5 Pro are less readily available). The Black Shark 4S Pro likely has a slightly brighter display and potentially better color accuracy due to Xiaomi's display technology. The Q5 Pro may offer a more compact form factor.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not fully detailed for the Q5 Pro. The Black Shark 4S Pro typically features a versatile triple-camera system with a high-resolution main sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. Image quality on the Black Shark is generally considered very good, though Realme phones often offer competitive camera performance at a lower price point.

Performance

The Black Shark 4S Pro's Snapdragon 888+ holds a slight edge over the Q5 Pro's Snapdragon 870. While both are powerful, the 888+ offers better sustained performance and handles demanding games with slightly higher frame rates. The Black Shark's cooling system is also likely more robust, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Black Shark 4S Pro's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times. The Realme Q5 Pro's 80W charging is still fast, but not as impressive. Battery capacity is likely similar between the two devices (around 4500-5000 mAh), but the Black Shark's charging speed gives it a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

The Realme Q5 Pro is ideal for gamers on a budget who still want a powerful and smooth gaming experience. The Black Shark 4S Pro is for hardcore gamers who prioritize blazing-fast charging, top-tier performance, and dedicated gaming features like shoulder triggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 870 good for gaming?

Yes, the Snapdragon 870 is a very capable chipset for gaming, offering smooth performance in most titles. It's a step down from the 888+, but still provides an excellent gaming experience.

❓ Are the Black Shark shoulder triggers worth it?

If you're a serious mobile gamer, the shoulder triggers can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, providing more precise control in games that support them.