Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS vs Black Shark 4 Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Comparison

The Xiaomi Black Shark series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones at competitive prices. But with the Black Shark 5 RS and 4 Pro, which one offers the best experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 5 RS edges out the 4 Pro thanks to its slightly faster CPU clock speeds and potentially improved cooling. Both offer blazing-fast 120W charging and Snapdragon 888 power, but the RS's marginal performance boost and potentially refined design make it the winner for serious gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS	Xiaomi Black Shark 4 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 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
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
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)	220 g (7.76 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 (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 660	Adreno 660
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 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB 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/2.5, (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)	64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, 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; HDR10+

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	20 MP, (wide)	20 MP, f/2.5, (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 (China), 5.0 (Global), 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 (China only)

Battery
Charging	120W wired, 100% in 15 min	120W wired, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Yellow	Shadow Black, Misty Grey, Cosmos Black, Dark Blue, Silver
Models	-	SHARK PAR-H0
Price	About 470 EUR	About 500 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS

Slightly faster CPU clock speeds
Potentially improved cooling system
120W fast charging
Gaming-focused features

Potentially higher price
Camera performance not flagship-level

Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro

Excellent value for money
120W fast charging
Gaming-focused features
Smooth 144Hz display

Slightly slower CPU compared to 5 RS
Camera performance not flagship-level

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The 5 RS may have a slightly improved touch sampling rate for enhanced responsiveness, but the difference is likely minimal. Expect excellent viewing angles and HDR10+ support on both.

Camera Comparison

The Black Shark 4 Pro typically features a 64MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro lens. The 5 RS is expected to have a similar camera setup, potentially with slight improvements in image processing. Both phones prioritize gaming over photography, so don't expect flagship-level camera performance.

Performance

Both are powered by the Snapdragon 888, but the 5 RS boasts a slightly higher CPU clock speed (3.0 GHz vs 2.84 GHz on the 4 Pro). This translates to marginally better performance in demanding games and applications. Cooling systems are crucial; the 5 RS likely features an improved vapor chamber or heat dissipation solution to maintain peak performance for longer periods.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery and support 120W wired charging. Both achieve 100% charge in approximately 15 minutes, with the 4 Pro reaching 50% in 5 minutes. Battery life is comparable, offering a full day of moderate use and several hours of intense gaming.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who demand every ounce of performance and are willing to pay a slight premium. The Black Shark 4 Pro remains an excellent choice for gamers seeking a powerful device at a more accessible price point, still delivering a fantastic gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Black Shark 5 RS worth the extra money?

If you're a serious mobile gamer and want the absolute best performance, the 5 RS's slightly faster CPU and potentially improved cooling might justify the higher price. Otherwise, the 4 Pro offers excellent value.

❓ How does the cooling system compare between the two?

While both have robust cooling systems, the 5 RS is expected to have an upgraded solution, potentially a larger vapor chamber, to better manage heat during extended gaming sessions.