Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two very different contenders against each other: the Xiaomi Black Shark 3S, a gaming-focused powerhouse, and the Samsung Galaxy A50s, a mid-range champion known for its value. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Black Shark 3S is the clear winner for gamers, boasting a Snapdragon 865 and blazing-fast charging. However, the Galaxy A50s offers excellent value with a decent camera and reliable performance for everyday tasks, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 31. Released 2020, August 04 | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.7 x 77.3 x 10.4 mm (6.64 x 3.04 x 0.41 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 222 g (7.83 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@1920fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, 100% in 38 min
18W magnetic wireless | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4729 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Cloud Black, Crystal Blue | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | - | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 600 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Black Shark 3S
- Exceptional Gaming Performance
- 120Hz AMOLED Display
- Blazing-Fast 65W Charging
- Aggressive Cooling System
- Less Versatile Camera
- Higher Price Point
- Bulky Design
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Excellent Value for Money
- Good Camera Performance
- Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
- Sleek Design
- Lower Performance for Gaming
- Slower Charging
- 60Hz Display
Display Comparison
The Black Shark 3S features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering incredibly smooth visuals perfect for gaming. The Galaxy A50s has a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, also vibrant, but capped at 60Hz. The Black Shark's higher refresh rate gives it a noticeable edge in responsiveness and fluidity.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A50s generally has a more versatile camera system. It features a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP depth sensor. The Black Shark 3S has a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. While both offer decent image quality, the A50s often produces more natural-looking photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Black Shark prioritizes speed over ultimate image quality.
Performance
Here's where the Black Shark 3S truly shines. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset and ample RAM (typically 12GB) deliver exceptional performance, easily handling demanding games and multitasking. The Galaxy A50s' Exynos 9611 is capable for everyday use, but struggles with graphically intensive games. Expect significant lag and reduced frame rates on the A50s when gaming.
Battery Life
The Black Shark 3S boasts a 4,700mAh battery and 65W fast charging, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups. The Galaxy A50s has a 4,000mAh battery and 15W charging. While the A50s offers decent battery life, the Black Shark 3S's faster charging provides a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Black Shark 3S is ideal for mobile gamers who prioritize performance, high refresh rates, and aggressive cooling. The Samsung Galaxy A50s is a great choice for users seeking a well-rounded mid-range phone with a good camera and long battery life, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Black Shark 3S worth the extra cost for gaming?
If you're a serious mobile gamer, the Black Shark 3S's superior performance and high refresh rate display make it a worthwhile investment. However, for casual gamers, the Galaxy A50s offers a more budget-friendly option.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both offer decent battery life, the Black Shark 3S's larger battery and faster charging give it a slight edge.
