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

The Xiaomi Black Shark series is renowned for its aggressive gaming focus. But with two compelling options – the Black Shark 5 RS and the 5 Pro – choosing the right one can be tricky. This in-depth comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which phone best suits your gaming needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Black Shark 5 Pro generally edges out the RS with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and potentially better display. However, the RS offers a more aggressive price point and a slightly faster charging speed. Ultimately, the Pro delivers a more premium experience, while the RS provides excellent value for budget-conscious gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS	Xiaomi Black Shark 5 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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 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	-

Launch
Announced	2022, March 30	2022, March 30
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 04	Available. Released 2022, April 04

Body
Dimensions	163.7 x 76.2 x 9.9 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)	163.9 x 76.5 x 9.5 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.37 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	-

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 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak)	OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+
	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 (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 660	Adreno 730
OS	Android 12, Joy UI 12.8	Android 12, Joy UI 13

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+	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	20 MP, (wide)	16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto macro)	108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto 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)	16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	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, video output
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, 100% in 15 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4650 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Yellow	Black, White
Models	-	SHARK KTUS-H0
Price	About 470 EUR	About 720 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 83h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 876704 (v8), 1007133 (v9) GeekBench: 3665 (v5.1) GFXBench: 82fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS

More affordable
120W fast charging (slightly faster)
Aggressive gaming design
Powerful Snapdragon 888/888+

Slightly older chipset
Potentially less bright display
Camera details are limited

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro

Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
Potentially brighter and more vibrant display
Improved thermal management
Premium build quality (likely)

More expensive
120W fast charging (slightly slower)
Camera details are limited

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 144Hz). The 5 Pro boasts a measured 682 nits max brightness, suggesting a slightly brighter and more vibrant display. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned for the 5 Pro is a nominal value and doesn't provide concrete data, but it implies excellent contrast. The 5 RS display is likely very good, but may not reach the same peak brightness as the Pro.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse in the provided specs. Both phones likely feature a triple-camera setup, but the 5 Pro's newer chipset might offer slightly improved image processing capabilities. Expect similar overall camera performance, with the 5 Pro potentially having a slight edge in low-light conditions and video recording.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the 5 Pro offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 888/888+ in the 5 RS. While both are powerful, the 8 Gen 1's newer architecture and 4nm process provide better efficiency and raw power, leading to smoother gameplay and potentially better sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. Expect slightly better thermal management on the 5 Pro as well.

Battery Life

Both phones boast an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The 120W wired charging on both devices ensures incredibly fast charging times – both reaching 100% in approximately 15 minutes. Battery performance is expected to be very similar between the two.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is ideal for gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful gaming experience with fast charging. The Black Shark 5 Pro is for serious gamers who prioritize top-tier performance, a potentially superior display, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you're a serious gamer who demands the absolute best performance and a potentially better display, the 5 Pro is worth the investment. However, the 5 RS offers excellent value for gamers on a budget.

❓ How does the cooling system compare between the two phones?

While specific details aren't provided, the 5 Pro's newer chipset and likely improved design suggest better thermal management, preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.