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

The Xiaomi Black Shark series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones at competitive prices. The Black Shark 4 and 4S are two iterations that offer impressive specs, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 4S edges out the 4 thanks to its slightly improved thermal management and potentially faster charging speeds (though both offer 120W charging). However, the Black Shark 4 boasts exceptional battery life and a vibrant display, making it a strong contender, especially for budget-conscious gamers. Ultimately, the 4S is a refinement, while the 4 remains a fantastic value.

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

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 - International, China
5G bands	1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
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, March 23
Status	Available. Released 2021, October 16	Available. Released 2021, March 30

Body
Dimensions	163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)	163.8 x 76.4 x 9.9 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.39 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	210 g (7.41 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 (~85.8% 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 (1x3.2 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)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 650
OS	Android 11, Joy UI 12.8	Android 11, Joy UI 12.5

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm	20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm
Triple	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	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	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	20 MP, f/2.0, (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, 100% in 17 min	120W wired, 100% in 17 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Mirror Black, Pale Grey, Black, Blue, Silver
Models	-	SHARK PRS-H0, SHARK PRS-A0, SHARK KSR-A0
Price	About 360 EUR	About 930 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 96h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-27.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 617456 (v8) GeekBench: 3448 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S

Potentially improved thermal management
Slightly faster charging (rumored)
Flagship Snapdragon 870 performance

Battery life not as impressive as the 4
Price is slightly higher

Xiaomi Black Shark 4

Exceptional battery life (96h endurance rating)
Vibrant AMOLED display with high brightness
More affordable price

Slightly older model
Potential for slightly less sustained performance under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals for fast-paced gaming. The Black Shark 4 boasts a measured max brightness of 694 nits, providing good visibility even in bright conditions. While the 4S's brightness isn't officially listed, it's expected to be comparable. The Black Shark 4's contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite' (nominal), indicating excellent contrast. The 4S likely offers similar contrast performance.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited in the provided specs. Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities. Expect similar camera performance in terms of image quality and video recording capabilities, likely focusing on fast capture and vibrant colors suitable for social media sharing. Detailed camera comparisons would require more in-depth testing.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 870, offering flagship-level performance. However, the 4S is rumored to have slightly improved thermal management, potentially allowing it to sustain peak performance for longer periods during intense gaming sessions. Real-world performance differences are likely to be subtle but noticeable in extended play.

Battery Life

The Black Shark 4 shines in this category, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours. The Black Shark 4S, while still offering good battery life, doesn't match this longevity. Both phones support 120W wired charging, promising a full charge in approximately 17 minutes.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 4S? Gamers seeking the absolute best performance and potentially slightly improved cooling. Who should buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 4? Gamers prioritizing long battery life and a great display, and those looking for a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Black Shark 4S worth the extra money?

If you prioritize sustained performance during long gaming sessions and potentially faster charging, the 4S is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if battery life and value are your top priorities, the 4 remains an excellent choice.

❓ How does the Snapdragon 870 perform in these phones?

The Snapdragon 870 is a powerful chipset capable of handling demanding games and applications with ease. Both phones offer smooth and responsive performance, although the 4S may maintain peak performance slightly better due to improved cooling.