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

The Xiaomi Black Shark series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones, and the 4S Pro and 4 Pro are no exception. But with subtle differences, which one truly deserves your attention? This in-depth comparison will break down every aspect, from performance to battery life, to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 4S Pro edges out the 4 Pro thanks to its slightly faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset, offering a marginal performance boost for demanding games. Both offer blazing-fast 120W charging and excellent gaming features, making the 4S Pro a worthwhile upgrade for serious mobile gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro	Xiaomi Black Shark 4 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, 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
5G bands	1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA	1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
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)	220 g (7.76 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 (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 660	Adreno 660
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 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	20 MP, f/2.5, (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	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@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm	20 MP, f/2.5, (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 (China), 5.0 (Global), 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 (China only)

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

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Shadow Black, Misty Grey, Cosmos Black, Dark Blue, Silver
Models	-	SHARK PAR-H0
Price	About 650 EUR	About 500 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro

Slightly faster Snapdragon 888+ chipset
Blazing-fast 120W charging
Excellent display with 144Hz refresh rate
Aggressive gaming design and features
Good camera system

Higher price compared to the 4 Pro
Gaming-focused design may not appeal to everyone
Camera could be better in low light

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro

Powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
Blazing-fast 120W charging
Excellent display with 144Hz refresh rate
Aggressive gaming design and features
More affordable than the 4S Pro

Slightly less powerful than the 4S Pro
Gaming-focused design may not appeal to everyone
Camera could be better in low light

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 360Hz touch sampling rate, ensuring smooth visuals and responsive gameplay. Color accuracy and brightness are comparable, offering a vibrant and immersive experience. There's minimal difference here, both are excellent.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature a triple-camera system: a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. Image quality is generally good, with vibrant colors and decent detail. Low-light performance is acceptable but not exceptional. The 4S Pro might have slightly improved image processing due to the newer chipset, but the difference is subtle.

Performance

The key differentiator lies in the chipset. The 4S Pro boasts the Snapdragon 888+, a slightly overclocked version of the 888 in the 4 Pro. This translates to marginally better performance in demanding games and multitasking scenarios. While the difference isn't massive, it's noticeable for those pushing their phones to the limit. Both phones have ample RAM and storage for smooth operation.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery and support 120W wired charging, promising a 50% charge in 5 minutes and a full charge in 15 minutes. Battery life is comparable, offering a full day of moderate use and several hours of intense gaming. The slightly more efficient 888+ chip in the 4S Pro *might* offer marginally better battery life, but it's unlikely to be a significant difference.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance and are willing to pay a premium. The Black Shark 4 Pro remains an excellent choice for gamers seeking a powerful device at a slightly more accessible price point, still delivering a fantastic gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888+ in the 4S Pro a significant upgrade?

It's a noticeable but not massive upgrade. You'll see a slight performance boost in demanding games and multitasking, but it's not a game-changer for most users.

❓ Are the cameras on both phones any good?

Both phones offer decent camera performance, but they aren't flagship-level. They're perfectly adequate for everyday photography and social media, but don't expect exceptional low-light capabilities.