Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS vs. Black Shark 4S 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 4S Pro, which one offers the better experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 4S Pro edges out the 5 RS due to its slightly faster CPU clock speed and marginally quicker charging. Both offer incredible performance thanks to the Snapdragon 888+, but the 4S Pro's subtle advantages make it the preferred choice for serious gamers seeking peak efficiency.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS	Xiaomi Black Shark 4S 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, October 13
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 04	Available. Released 2021, October 16

Body
Dimensions	163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)	163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 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 (~86.1% 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 (1x3.0 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 12.8

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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, 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, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Yellow	Black, White
Price	About 470 EUR	About 650 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS

Potentially better long-term software support
Slightly more modern design
Excellent cooling system
120W fast charging

Slightly slower CPU clock speed than 4S Pro
Charging slightly slower than 4S Pro

Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro

Slightly faster CPU clock speed
Faster charging (50% in 5 min)
Excellent cooling system
120W fast charging

Potentially less long-term software support
Design slightly older than 5 RS

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 might have a slightly improved panel, but the difference is minimal and difficult to discern in real-world use. Expect excellent responsiveness for gaming.

Camera Comparison

Camera systems are similar, featuring a 64MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image quality is good, but neither phone excels in photography compared to flagship devices from other brands. Expect decent low-light performance and capable video recording.

Performance

Both are powered by the Snapdragon 888+ 5G, a powerhouse chipset. However, the Black Shark 4S Pro boasts a marginally faster CPU clock speed (3.0 GHz vs 2.84/3.0 GHz on the 5 RS for the X1 core). This translates to slightly quicker app loading and marginally better performance in demanding games, though both handle everything with ease. Cooling systems are robust on both.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery and support 120W fast charging. The 4S Pro charges slightly faster, reaching 50% in 5 minutes compared to the 5 RS's 15 minutes. Both reach 100% in 15 minutes, making charging a breeze.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is ideal for gamers who prioritize a slightly more modern design and potentially better long-term software support (though both are generally good). The Black Shark 4S Pro is the better buy for those focused purely on raw performance and lightning-fast charging, especially if they can find it at a discounted price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Black Shark 5 RS worth the upgrade from the 4S Pro?

Unless you specifically want the slightly updated design or anticipate significantly better long-term software support, the upgrade isn't substantial enough to justify the cost. The 4S Pro remains a very competitive option.

❓ How good is the cooling system on these phones?

Both phones feature advanced cooling systems with vapor chambers and multiple layers of heat dissipation, effectively preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.