Xiaomi Black Shark 4S vs Realme GT Neo 3T: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Battle

The mid-range gaming phone market is heating up! Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Xiaomi Black Shark 4S, known for its aggressive gaming features, and the Realme GT Neo 3T, lauded for its fast charging and stylish design. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 4S takes the crown for dedicated gamers thanks to its superior cooling and shoulder triggers. However, the Realme GT Neo 3T offers a more balanced experience with faster charging and a vibrant display, making it a compelling choice for everyday users who also enjoy gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Realme GT Neo 3T
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, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, October 132022, June 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 16Available. Released 2022, June 25
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)162.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)194.5 g (6.88 oz)
 Physical pop-up gaming triggers-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, Joy UI 12.8Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
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), AF64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
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 (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
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
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 17 min80W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteShade Black, Drifting White, Dash Yellow
Models-RMX3372, RMX3371
PriceAbout 360 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 118h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 726007 (v9) GeekBench: 3180 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S

  • Dedicated gaming triggers
  • Superior cooling system
  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Excellent display quality

  • Design can be polarizing
  • Camera slightly less impressive than GT Neo 3T
  • Software can be a bit cluttered

Realme GT Neo 3T

  • Faster charging (80W)
  • Excellent battery life (118h endurance)
  • Stylish design
  • Bright display (803 nits)

  • Cooling system not as robust as Black Shark 4S
  • Gaming triggers absent
  • Software updates can be inconsistent

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals. The Realme GT Neo 3T boasts a measured peak brightness of 803 nits, potentially offering better outdoor visibility. The Black Shark 4S, while not explicitly stated, typically delivers excellent color accuracy and vibrancy. The contrast ratio on the GT Neo 3T is listed as 'Infinite' (nominal), suggesting deep blacks and excellent contrast.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a bit more nuanced. The Black Shark 4S typically features a triple camera setup (64MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro), while the GT Neo 3T also has a triple camera (64MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro). Image quality is generally good on both, but the GT Neo 3T might offer slightly more pleasing color science. Video recording capabilities are comparable.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 870, guaranteeing snappy performance for most tasks and games. The Black Shark 4S often incorporates more aggressive cooling solutions (vapor chamber) to sustain peak performance during extended gaming sessions, potentially giving it a slight edge in prolonged, demanding games. The GT Neo 3T's performance is excellent, but may throttle slightly sooner under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Realme GT Neo 3T shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 118 hours. The Black Shark 4S, while offering good battery life, doesn't quite match this. However, the Black Shark 4S's 120W charging is significantly faster, fully charging the phone in just 17 minutes, compared to the GT Neo 3T's 80W charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 4S? Serious mobile gamers who prioritize performance and dedicated gaming features like shoulder triggers. Who should buy the Realme GT Neo 3T? Users seeking a stylish, well-rounded phone with fast charging and a good display, who occasionally game.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for heavy gaming?
The Xiaomi Black Shark 4S is generally better for heavy gaming due to its superior cooling and dedicated gaming triggers.
❓ Does the Realme GT Neo 3T support fast charging?
Yes, the Realme GT Neo 3T supports 80W fast charging, which is still very quick.