Black Shark 4S vs. OnePlus 10 Pro: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Flagship Performance

The Xiaomi Black Shark 4S and OnePlus 10 Pro represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The Black Shark 4S aggressively targets mobile gamers with a focus on performance and cooling, while the OnePlus 10 Pro aims for a more balanced flagship experience with a premium display, versatile camera, and refined software. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers prioritizing raw performance and ultra-fast charging, the Xiaomi Black Shark 4S is the clear winner. However, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a more polished, all-around experience with a superior display, more versatile camera system, and longer-term software support, making it the better choice for the average user.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Black Shark 4S OnePlus 10 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, October 132022, January 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 16Available. Released 2022, January 13
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
 Physical pop-up gaming triggersIP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)LTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, Joy UI 12.8Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple48 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), AF48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 17 min80W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)
Models-NE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217
PriceAbout 360 EUR$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 107h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S

  • Ultra-fast 120W charging
  • Strong gaming performance with Snapdragon 870
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Likely less refined camera system
  • Potentially shorter software support lifecycle

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Superior display quality and brightness
  • More versatile and higher-quality camera system
  • Longer battery life and wireless charging
  • Refined software experience and longer support

  • Slower charging speeds (especially in North America)
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 780 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Black Shark 4S. While the Black Shark 4S likely offers a high refresh rate suitable for gaming, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s display benefits from a contrast ratio described as 'Infinite (nominal)', suggesting excellent black levels. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s display technology is likely LTPO, enabling variable refresh rates for improved efficiency, a feature not confirmed on the Black Shark 4S. This makes the OnePlus 10 Pro the better choice for outdoor visibility and media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo/video capabilities, but details are limited. The OnePlus 10 Pro likely benefits from Hasselblad color calibration and a more sophisticated image processing pipeline. Without specific sensor details for the Black Shark 4S, it’s reasonable to assume the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience, particularly in low-light conditions. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s camera system is expected to include OIS, a feature likely present on the main sensor of the Black Shark 4S, but potentially absent on other lenses.

Performance

The OnePlus 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Black Shark 4S’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The Gen 1 features the Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz, offering higher peak performance than the 870’s Kryo 585 at 3.2 GHz. However, the 870’s efficiency is noteworthy. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s 4nm process should deliver better thermal efficiency, but the 870 is known for sustained performance. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s LPDDR5 RAM is standard for flagships, while the Black Shark 4S’s RAM specification is unknown, but likely similar. Gamers will see a performance uplift on the OnePlus 10 Pro, but the Black Shark 4S remains a capable performer.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 10 Pro achieves a 107-hour endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Black Shark 4S’s battery capacity is unknown, its 120W wired charging is significantly faster than the OnePlus 10 Pro’s 80W (International) or 65W (North America) charging. The Black Shark 4S can reach 100% charge in just 17 minutes, while the OnePlus 10 Pro takes 32 minutes (International). The OnePlus 10 Pro also offers 50W wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Black Shark 4S. The Black Shark 4S prioritizes charging speed, while the OnePlus 10 Pro balances charging speed with overall battery endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 4S if you need uncompromising gaming performance, prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds (120W), and are willing to trade off camera versatility and software polish. Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro if you prefer a premium display, a more refined camera experience, longer battery life, and a smoother, more consistent software experience, even if it means sacrificing some raw gaming horsepower.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Black Shark 4S throttle under sustained gaming loads?
The Snapdragon 870 is known for its excellent thermal management. While some throttling is inevitable, the 870 generally maintains higher sustained performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, especially in devices with less robust cooling solutions. The Black Shark 4S’s gaming-focused design likely incorporates effective cooling to mitigate throttling.
❓ How does the charging speed difference impact daily use between the two phones?
The Black Shark 4S’s 120W charging is a game-changer. A quick 17-minute charge can provide hours of usage, ideal for gamers who need to quickly top up between sessions. The OnePlus 10 Pro’s 80W/65W charging is still fast, but requires significantly more time to reach a full charge. If minimizing downtime is critical, the Black Shark 4S is the clear winner.
❓ Is the OnePlus 10 Pro's camera significantly better for casual photography?
Yes, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s camera system, likely featuring a larger sensor and Hasselblad color calibration, is expected to deliver more consistent and higher-quality results for everyday photography. While the Black Shark 4S can take decent photos, it likely prioritizes speed and efficiency over image quality.