Black Shark 4S vs RedMagic 7S Pro: Which Gaming Phone Delivers the Most Power?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly higher performance and improved thermal efficiency, justifying the price premium. However, the Black Shark 4S remains a strong contender for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize fast charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Black Shark 4S | ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International, China |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 13 | 2022, July 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 16 | Available. Released 2022, July 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in) | 166.3 x 77.1 x 10 mm (6.55 x 3.04 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 235 g (8.29 oz) |
| Physical pop-up gaming triggers | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 600 nits |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 11, Joy UI 12.8 | Android 12, Redmagic 5.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm | 16 MP, (wide), under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 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 (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector |
| 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 100% in 17 min | 135W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International) |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Obsidian, Supernova, Mercury, Yellow |
| Models | - | NX709S |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 780 EUR |
Xiaomi Black Shark 4S
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- More affordable price point
- Capable Snapdragon 870 performance
- Older Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Likely inferior camera system
- Potentially more thermal throttling
ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro
- Superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Brighter display for better visibility
- Faster charging speeds (especially in China)
- Higher price tag
- Potential regional charging differences (65W international)
- May run hotter under extreme load (though mitigated by 8+ Gen 1 efficiency)
Display Comparison
The RedMagic 7S Pro boasts a brighter display, measured at 449 nits, which translates to better visibility in outdoor conditions compared to the Black Shark 4S (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize high refresh rate panels, the RedMagic’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit. The absence of LTPO technology in either phone suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rate switching to conserve battery, but the RedMagic’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn’t a primary focus for gaming phones, but the RedMagic 7S Pro offers a more versatile setup (details unavailable in context data, assuming a standard flagship configuration). The Black Shark 4S’s camera capabilities are likely adequate for casual photography, but the RedMagic 7S Pro is expected to deliver superior image quality and video recording, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Black Shark 4S suggests it’s not a key selling point.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The RedMagic 7S Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Black Shark 4S’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, alongside improved Cortex-A710 and A510 cores, resulting in a substantial performance uplift in both CPU and GPU-intensive tasks. The 4nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the 870 is still a capable performer, the 8+ Gen 1 offers a future-proofed experience for demanding titles.
Battery Life
Both phones prioritize fast charging, but with a key distinction. The RedMagic 7S Pro supports a blazing-fast 135W wired charging (in China) and 65W internationally, achieving 50% charge in just 5 minutes and full charge in 15 minutes (China). The Black Shark 4S, while still impressive at 120W, takes 17 minutes to reach 100%. This difference, coupled with the 8+ Gen 1’s improved power efficiency, gives the RedMagic 7S Pro an edge in overall battery life and convenience, despite potential regional charging limitations.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 4S if you need a highly responsive gaming experience on a tighter budget and value incredibly fast 120W charging. It’s ideal for mobile gamers who play a variety of titles and don’t necessarily demand the absolute highest frame rates. Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro if you prioritize raw performance, sustained gaming sessions without throttling, and a brighter display, even if it means spending more and potentially dealing with regional charging differences.