Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro vs Black Shark 5: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown

The Xiaomi Black Shark series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones at competitive prices. But with the Black Shark 4S Pro and Black Shark 5, which one offers the best experience for mobile gamers? We're breaking down the key differences to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 4S Pro takes the crown thanks to its Snapdragon 888+ chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost over the 870 in the Black Shark 5. While both offer 120W charging, the 4S Pro's slightly faster charging and overall power make it the superior choice for serious gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro	Xiaomi Black Shark 5

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, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands	1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA

Launch
Announced	2021, October 13	2022, March 30
Status	Available. Released 2021, October 16	Available. Released 2022, April 04

Body
Dimensions	163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)	163.8 x 76.3 x 10 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	220 g (7.76 oz)	218 g (7.69 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 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 144Hz, 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 12, Joy UI 13

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	-
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), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
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	16 MP, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
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 15 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4650 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Black, White, Gray
Models	-	SHARK PAR-A0
Price	About 650 EUR	About 600 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro

Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888+)
Faster 120W Charging
Slightly Improved Color Accuracy (potentially)
Aggressive Gaming Aesthetics

Higher Price
Potential for Increased Heat Generation

Xiaomi Black Shark 5

More Affordable
Excellent Performance (Snapdragon 870)
Good Battery Life
Aggressive Gaming Aesthetics

Slightly Slower Charging
Less Powerful Chipset compared to 4S Pro

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The 4S Pro *may* have slightly improved color accuracy, but the difference is minimal and difficult to discern in real-world use. Both have touch sampling rates exceeding 400Hz for responsive gameplay.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a triple-camera system, typically including a 108MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image quality is generally comparable, with both phones producing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is adequate but not exceptional. The 4S Pro *might* have slightly better image processing due to the more powerful chipset.

Performance

This is where the 4S Pro shines. The Snapdragon 888+ is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 870, resulting in smoother frame rates in demanding games and quicker app loading times. While the 870 is still a capable chip, the 888+ provides a tangible advantage for competitive gaming.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery and support 120W wired charging. The 4S Pro charges slightly faster (5 min to 50%, 15 min to 100%) compared to the Black Shark 5 (15 min to 100%). Battery life is comparable in typical usage, lasting a full day for most users.

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 5 remains a fantastic option for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful and feature-rich gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888+ worth the extra cost over the Snapdragon 870?

For serious mobile gamers, yes. The 888+ provides a noticeable performance boost, especially in demanding titles. If you're a casual gamer, the 870 is still a very capable chip.

❓ How does the cooling system compare between the two phones?

Both phones feature advanced cooling systems, including vapor chambers and multiple layers of graphite. The 4S Pro's more powerful chipset may generate more heat, but the cooling system is generally effective at managing temperatures.