Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS vs Black Shark 5: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown

The Xiaomi Black Shark series has consistently delivered powerful gaming phones at competitive prices. But with the Black Shark 5 RS and Black Shark 5, which one offers the best experience? This detailed comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 5 RS boasts a Snapdragon 888/888+ chipset, offering a noticeable performance edge over the 870 in the Black Shark 5. While both offer blazing-fast 120W charging, the RS's superior processing power makes it the winner for serious mobile gamers, albeit at a potentially higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS Xiaomi Black Shark 5
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
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2022, March 302022, March 30
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 04Available. Released 2022, April 04
Body
Dimensions163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)163.8 x 76.3 x 10 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)218 g (7.69 oz)
 Physical pop-up gaming triggersPhysical pop-up gaming triggers
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84/3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 650
OSAndroid 12, Joy UI 12.8Android 12, Joy UI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1/SSD 256GB 8GB RAM - Snapdragon 888 256GB 12GB RAM - Snapdragon 888+UFS 3.1
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)64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, (wide)16 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min120W wired, 100% in 15 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4650 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, YellowBlack, White, Gray
Models-SHARK PAR-A0
PriceAbout 470 EURAbout 600 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888/888+)

  • Potentially Higher Price
  • May Consume More Battery

Xiaomi Black Shark 5

  • Excellent Value for Money
  • Still Powerful (Snapdragon 870)
  • Fast Charging

  • Slightly Less Powerful than RS
  • May Show Age Sooner

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The RS might have slightly improved brightness, but the difference is likely minimal. Both offer excellent viewing experiences for gaming and media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones typically feature a triple-camera system, likely including a 64MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image quality is generally good on both, but the RS's more powerful processor might allow for slightly better image processing and computational photography features. Expect similar results in most scenarios.

Performance

This is where the biggest difference lies. The Black Shark 5 RS's Snapdragon 888/888+ is significantly more powerful than the Black Shark 5's Snapdragon 870. Expect faster load times, smoother gameplay, and better performance in demanding games on the RS. The 888/888+ also handles multitasking more effectively.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 4500mAh battery and support 120W wired charging, promising a full charge in around 15 minutes. Battery life is comparable between the two, with the RS potentially consuming slightly more power due to its more powerful chipset.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is ideal for hardcore mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance and are willing to pay a premium. The Black Shark 5 remains an excellent choice for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful and feature-rich gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888/888+ significantly better than the Snapdragon 870?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888/888+ offers a noticeable performance boost, especially in demanding games and multitasking. However, the Snapdragon 870 is still a very capable chip.
❓ Are the cameras on both phones comparable?
Generally, yes. Both phones offer decent camera performance, with the RS potentially having a slight edge in image processing due to its more powerful processor.