Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro vs. Black Shark 4S: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Black Shark 4S Pro takes the crown thanks to its Snapdragon 888+ chipset, offering noticeably faster performance. However, the 4S remains a compelling option, especially for budget-conscious gamers who still want a premium gaming experience and slightly faster charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro | Xiaomi Black Shark 4S |
| 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 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, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 16 | Available. Released 2021, October 16 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 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 | 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 (~86.1% 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 12.8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB 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 | Black, White |
| Price | About 650 EUR | About 360 EUR |
Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888+)
- Faster Charging (slightly)
- Potentially better camera dynamic range
- Higher Price
- Can run slightly hotter under sustained load
Xiaomi Black Shark 4S
- More Affordable
- Excellent Performance (Snapdragon 870)
- Slightly faster charging (in practice)
- Good Value for Money
- Slightly lower performance than Pro
- May not be ideal for the most demanding games at max settings
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The Pro model *may* have slightly improved color accuracy and brightness, but the difference is minimal and difficult to discern in real-world use. Both have a 240Hz touch sampling rate.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a triple-camera system: a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. Image quality is generally comparable, with the Pro potentially offering slightly better dynamic range and low-light performance due to its more powerful processor. Video recording capabilities are similar on both.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Snapdragon 888+ in the Pro provides a significant performance boost over the Snapdragon 870 in the 4S. Expect faster loading times, smoother gameplay, and better multitasking on the Pro. While the 870 is still a powerful chip, the 888+ is in a different league.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4500mAh battery and support 120W fast charging. The 4S charges slightly faster (17 minutes vs 15 minutes for the Pro), but the difference is negligible. Battery life is comparable, offering a full day of moderate to heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Black Shark 4S Pro is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance and don't mind paying a premium. The Black Shark 4S is a fantastic choice for gamers who want a high-performance device without breaking the bank, offering excellent value for money.