Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro vs Black Shark 5 RS: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Comparison

The Xiaomi Black Shark series has consistently delivered powerful gaming experiences. But with the 4S Pro and 5 RS, which one offers the edge? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which gaming beast deserves your money.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 4S Pro boasts a slightly faster CPU clock speed and marginally quicker charging, giving it a slight advantage. However, the 5 RS offers a refreshed design and potentially improved cooling. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: raw speed or a more modern aesthetic.

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

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 / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

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)	163.7 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)	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 (~86.1% 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 (1x2.84/3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 660	Adreno 660
OS	Android 11, Joy UI 12.8	Android 12, Joy UI 12.8

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1/SSD 256GB 8GB RAM - Snapdragon 888 256GB 12GB RAM - Snapdragon 888+

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8µm	20 MP, (wide)
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, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto macro)
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, (wide)
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 15 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Black, Yellow
Price	About 650 EUR	About 470 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro

Slightly faster CPU clock speed
Faster 120W charging
Proven performance

Older design
Potential thermal throttling under sustained load

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS

More modern design
Potentially improved cooling system
Slightly refreshed look and feel

Slightly slower charging
Marginally lower CPU clock speed

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The 5 RS might have a slightly improved display panel, but the difference is likely minimal. Expect excellent responsiveness for gaming.

Camera Comparison

The camera systems are comparable, featuring a 64MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image quality is good, but neither phone excels in photography compared to flagship devices from other brands. Expect decent results in well-lit conditions.

Performance

Both are powered by the Snapdragon 888+ chipset, but the 4S Pro has a slightly higher CPU clock speed (3.0 GHz vs 2.84 GHz on the 5 RS). This translates to marginally better performance in CPU-intensive tasks. However, real-world gaming performance will be very similar, heavily reliant on cooling solutions.

Battery Life

Both phones have 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 5 RS (15 min to 100%). Battery life is generally good, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy gaming.

Buying Guide

The Black Shark 4S Pro is ideal for gamers prioritizing peak performance and lightning-fast charging. The Black Shark 5 RS is a better choice for those who value a more contemporary design and potentially improved thermal management, even if it means a slight trade-off in charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Black Shark 5 RS worth the upgrade from the 4S Pro?

It depends. If you prioritize a more modern design and potentially better cooling, the 5 RS is a worthwhile upgrade. However, the performance difference is minimal, and the 4S Pro offers slightly faster charging.

❓ How good is the cooling system on these phones?

Both phones feature advanced cooling systems, including vapor chambers and multiple layers of graphite sheets. However, the 5 RS may have a slightly improved design for better thermal dissipation.