Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS vs Asus ROG Phone 6: A Gamer's Deep Dive

The mobile gaming phone market is heating up, with Xiaomi and Asus consistently delivering powerful contenders. We pit the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS, a more value-focused option leveraging the Snapdragon 888+, against the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition, boasting the newer and more efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This comparison isn't just about specs; it's about which phone best suits your gaming style and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most gamers, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition is the superior choice. While the Black Shark 5 RS offers incredible 120W charging and a lower price point, the ROG Phone 6’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 delivers demonstrably better sustained performance and thermal management, crucial for extended gaming sessions.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition
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 - A version, C version
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 - A version
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - C version
Launch
Announced2022, March 302022, November 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 04Available. Released 2022, November 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)173 x 77 x 10.4 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 Physical pop-up gaming triggersIPX4 water resistant Illuminated RGB logo (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84/3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Joy UI 12.8Android 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1/SSD 256GB 8GB RAM - Snapdragon 888 256GB 12GB RAM - Snapdragon 888+UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single20 MP, (wide)-
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single20 MP, (wide)12 MP, 28mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-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 15 min65W wired, PD3.0, QC5 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, YellowHellfire Red
PriceAbout 470 EURAbout 860 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging
  • More affordable price point
  • Compact form factor for a gaming phone

  • Snapdragon 888+ is less efficient than 8+ Gen 1
  • Potential for thermal throttling during extended gaming

Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Better thermal management for sustained gaming
  • Premium build quality and features

  • Slower 65W charging compared to Black Shark 5 RS
  • Higher price tag

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the underlying chipsets impacting sustained performance. The ROG Phone 6 benefits from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s improved efficiency, potentially allowing for higher sustained brightness levels and reduced screen dimming during intense gaming. The Black Shark 5 RS, while capable, will likely exhibit more aggressive throttling under prolonged load, impacting visual fidelity over time. Bezels are likely comparable given both brands focus on maximizing screen real estate.

Camera Comparison

Neither phone is primarily focused on camera prowess, but the ROG Phone 6 likely has an edge due to Asus’s generally more refined image processing. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the ROG Phone 6’s higher processing power allows for more complex computational photography algorithms. We can assume both phones will feature capable main sensors, but the Black Shark 5 RS may cut corners on secondary lenses to maintain its price point. The ROG Phone 6’s Diablo Immortal Edition likely benefits from software optimizations tailored for gaming content creation.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS’s Snapdragon 888/888+ (5nm). The 8+ Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 prime core clocks higher at 3.19 GHz versus the 888’s 2.84/3.0 GHz Cortex-X1. More importantly, the 4nm process node yields substantially improved power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and reduced throttling. The ROG Phone 6’s CPU also utilizes Cortex-A710 cores, a newer generation than the Black Shark 5 RS’s A78 cores, offering further performance gains. The ROG Phone 6 likely utilizes faster LPDDR5X RAM, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS’s 120W wired charging is its standout feature, achieving a full charge in just 15 minutes. This is significantly faster than the ROG Phone 6’s 65W charging. However, the ROG Phone 6’s more efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset means it consumes less power during gaming, potentially offsetting the slower charging speed. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the ROG Phone 6’s superior efficiency will likely result in comparable, or even longer, real-world gaming endurance despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery size.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS if you prioritize incredibly fast charging (full charge in 15 minutes) and are on a tighter budget, willing to accept slightly less sustained performance. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition if you demand the best possible gaming performance, value long-term thermal stability, and appreciate the premium build quality and features associated with the ROG brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Black Shark 5 RS’s Snapdragon 888+ overheat during prolonged Genshin Impact sessions?
The Snapdragon 888+ is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While Xiaomi likely implemented cooling solutions, the Black Shark 5 RS will likely experience throttling, leading to frame rate drops and reduced visual settings after extended Genshin Impact gameplay. The ROG Phone 6’s 8+ Gen 1 is far more efficient and will maintain higher performance for longer.
❓ Does the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition support 120Hz refresh rates in PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the ROG Phone 6 is capable of supporting 120Hz refresh rates in PUBG Mobile, provided the game settings are configured accordingly. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 has ample processing power to drive high frame rates, and the ROG Phone 6’s display is designed to take advantage of this capability. The Black Shark 5 RS may also support 120Hz, but may struggle to maintain it consistently during intense firefights.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 6 compare to other flagship phones?
While 65W isn't the absolute fastest charging available, it's still very competitive with other flagship phones. It's faster than many iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices, and the ROG Phone 6’s efficient chipset means you won’t be starting from a deeply depleted battery as often. The 65W charging, combined with the 8+ Gen 1’s efficiency, provides a practical charging experience.