Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS vs Black Shark 4: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Black Shark 5 RS boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 888/888+ chipset, resulting in superior gaming performance. While the Black Shark 4 offers incredible battery life, the 5 RS's faster charging and overall power edge make it the winner for serious gamers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS | 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, 8, 18, 19, 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, 5, 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 | 2022, March 30 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 04 | 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 | 220 g (7.76 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 | AMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84/3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 12, Joy UI 12.8 | Android 11, Joy UI 12.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1/SSD 256GB 8GB RAM - Snapdragon 888 256GB 12GB RAM - Snapdragon 888+ | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto macro) | 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; HDR10+ | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, (wide) | 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 15 min | 120W wired, 100% in 17 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Yellow | Mirror Black, Pale Grey, Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | - | SHARK PRS-H0, SHARK PRS-A0, SHARK KSR-A0 |
| Price | About 470 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 5 RS
- Significantly faster chipset (Snapdragon 888/888+)
- 120W ultra-fast charging
- Likely improved cooling system
- Potentially better display brightness
- Potentially shorter battery life than Black Shark 4
- Likely higher price
Xiaomi Black Shark 4
- Exceptional battery life (96h endurance rating)
- Competitive price
- Good performance with Snapdragon 870
- Slower chipset compared to 5 RS
- Slower charging speed
- Potentially lower display brightness
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 144Hz, though not explicitly stated in the provided specs). The Black Shark 4's 694 nits max brightness is a known value, while the 5 RS likely offers similar or slightly improved brightness. The Black Shark 4's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a nominal value and doesn't necessarily translate to a significantly better viewing experience in practice. Touch sampling rate is a key factor for gaming, and both likely offer high rates, but specific numbers are needed for a definitive comparison.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse in the provided specs. Both phones likely offer competent camera systems for their price range, but neither is expected to be a photography powerhouse. Image processing and software features would be key differentiators here, which are not detailed.
Performance
This is where the 5 RS truly shines. The Snapdragon 888/888+ in the 5 RS is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 870 in the Black Shark 4. Expect noticeably faster frame rates in demanding games, quicker app loading times, and smoother multitasking on the 5 RS. The 5 RS's Cortex-X1 core also contributes to peak performance.
Battery Life
The Black Shark 4's endurance rating of 96 hours is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. The 5 RS, while likely still offering good battery life, may not match the 4's longevity due to its more power-hungry chipset. However, the 5 RS's 120W charging significantly reduces charging time, reaching 100% in just 15 minutes compared to the 4's 17 minutes.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who prioritize raw performance and lightning-fast charging. The Black Shark 4 remains a compelling option for those seeking exceptional battery life and a slightly more budget-friendly price, especially if gaming isn't their absolute top priority.