The world of gaming phones is fierce, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of performance and features. Today, we pit two heavyweights against each other: the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+. Which one delivers the ultimate gaming experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Red Magic 8 Pro+ takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, blistering 165W charging, and improved cooling. While the Black Shark 5 Pro offers solid performance and a great display, the Red Magic 8 Pro+’s advancements make it the superior choice for serious mobile gamers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 30 | 2022, December 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 04 | Available. Released 2022, December 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.5 x 9.5 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) | 164 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | - | Pressure sensitive zones (520Hz touch-sensing)
Built-in cooling fan
Aviation aluminum middle frame |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Unspecified |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1116 x 2480 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12, Joy UI 13 | Android 13, Redmagic OS 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto macro), AF | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+ | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, under display |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, video output | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, accessory connector, DisplayPort |
| 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, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (China only) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 100% in 15 min | 165W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 14 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Po 4650 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, Transparent |
| Models | SHARK KTUS-H0 | - |
| Price | About 720 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 83h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 876704 (v8), 1007133 (v9)
GeekBench: 3665 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 82fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro
- Excellent battery life
- Vibrant display
- Competitive price
- Older chipset
- No under-display camera
- Less advanced cooling
ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+
- Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Blazing-fast 165W charging
- Under-display camera
- Advanced cooling system
- Higher price
- Potential for overheating under extreme load
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (144Hz on the Red Magic 8 Pro+ and 144Hz on the Black Shark 5 Pro). The Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness, though the Black Shark 5 Pro's 682 nits is respectable. The Red Magic 8 Pro+ also boasts under-display camera technology for a truly immersive experience, a feature absent on the Black Shark 5 Pro.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally secondary in gaming phones, but the Red Magic 8 Pro+ likely has a more advanced camera system. While specific details are limited, the newer sensor and image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 should result in better image quality. Both phones offer decent video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Red Magic 8 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a substantial performance leap over the Black Shark 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Expect smoother gameplay, faster app loading times, and better multitasking on the Red Magic 8 Pro+. Both phones have ample RAM (12GB/16GB), but the newer chipset makes a significant difference.
Battery Life
The Black Shark 5 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 83 hours. However, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s 165W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. While the Black Shark 5 Pro's battery life is excellent, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s charging speed provides unparalleled convenience.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro is a good choice for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a capable device with a vibrant display. The ZTE nubia Red Magic 8 Pro+ is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance, fastest charging, and advanced cooling features, regardless of price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Red Magic 8 Pro+ worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious mobile gamer who prioritizes performance and charging speed, the Red Magic 8 Pro+ is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget, the Black Shark 5 Pro still offers a solid gaming experience.
❓ Does the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s cooling system make a difference?
Yes, the Red Magic 8 Pro+'s advanced cooling system helps to prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions, ensuring consistent performance. The Black Shark 5 Pro's cooling is adequate, but not as effective.
