Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro vs Black Shark 4: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Black Shark 4S Pro takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset and blazing-fast 120W charging. While the Black Shark 4 boasts impressive battery life, the Pro's performance edge makes it the superior choice for serious mobile gamers willing to spend a bit more.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro | Xiaomi Black Shark 4 |
| 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, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 13 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 16 | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 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 | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Physical pop-up gaming triggers | Physical pop-up gaming triggers | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, Joy UI 12.8 | Android 11, Joy UI 12.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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 | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm |
| Triple | 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+ | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | 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, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min | 120W wired, 100% in 17 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Mirror Black, Pale Grey, Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | - | SHARK PRS-H0, SHARK PRS-A0, SHARK KSR-A0 |
| Price | About 650 EUR | About 930 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 96h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.4 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 617456 (v8) GeekBench: 3448 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset
- Blazing-fast 120W charging
- Excellent display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Aggressive gaming design and features
- Potentially higher price
- Battery life slightly less than Black Shark 4
- Can run hot under sustained load
Xiaomi Black Shark 4
- Exceptional battery life (96h endurance rating)
- Smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
- Solid performance with Snapdragon 870
- More affordable than the 4S Pro
- Slightly older chipset
- Charging speed not as fast as the 4S Pro
- Less powerful than the 4S Pro
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals. However, the Black Shark 4S Pro likely has slightly better color accuracy and potentially a marginally brighter display (though specific brightness figures are not provided). The Black Shark 4's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but AMOLEDs inherently offer excellent contrast.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable between the two, as both feature standard smartphone camera setups. Image quality will be similar in most conditions, though the 888+ in the Pro *might* offer slightly better image processing. Low-light performance could be marginally improved on the Pro.
Performance
This is where the Black Shark 4S Pro truly shines. The Snapdragon 888+ is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 870 in the Black Shark 4. Expect noticeably faster load times, smoother frame rates in demanding games, and improved multitasking capabilities on the Pro. The X1 core in the 888+ provides a significant boost for single-core performance.
Battery Life
The Black Shark 4 holds a significant advantage in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours. While the Black Shark 4S Pro's battery capacity is likely similar, the faster charging speed (120W vs 120W, but faster in practice) allows it to replenish its battery much quicker.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize raw performance and ultra-fast charging. The Black Shark 4 remains a compelling option for gamers on a tighter budget who value exceptional battery life and a smooth gaming experience, albeit with slightly less horsepower.