Black Shark 5 vs ROG Phone 6: A Deep Dive into Gaming Power and Charging Speed

The gaming phone market offers a compelling alternative to mainstream flagships, prioritizing performance and features for mobile gamers. The Xiaomi Black Shark 5, powered by the Snapdragon 870, represents a value-focused approach, while the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition, with the newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, aims for uncompromising power. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device reigns supreme.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average gamer prioritizing value, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 delivers excellent performance at a lower price point. However, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a noticeable performance uplift and superior thermal efficiency, making it the better choice for hardcore gamers and power users willing to invest.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition
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 - A version, C version
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 - A version
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - A version
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - C version
Launch
Announced2022, March 302022, November 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 04Available. Released 2022, November 18
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.8 x 76.3 x 10 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)173 x 77 x 10.4 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight218 g (7.69 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 Physical pop-up gaming triggersIPX4 water resistant Illuminated RGB logo (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Joy UI 13Android 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, (wide)12 MP, 28mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min65W wired, PD3.0, QC5 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4650 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, GrayHellfire Red
ModelsSHARK PAR-A0-
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 860 EUR

Xiaomi Black Shark 5

  • More affordable price point
  • Excellent performance for the price
  • Fast 120W charging (though efficiency may vary)

  • Snapdragon 870 is less powerful than the 8+ Gen 1
  • Likely more prone to thermal throttling

Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Improved thermal efficiency for sustained gaming
  • Faster and more versatile charging with PD3.0/QC5

  • Higher price tag
  • May be overkill for casual gamers

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED displays (data not provided), the core difference lies in the underlying processing power impacting game rendering. The ROG Phone 6’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will push higher, more consistent frame rates, maximizing the benefit of a high refresh rate panel. The Black Shark 5, while capable, will be more constrained by its chipset. We anticipate the ROG Phone 6 to have a higher peak brightness, enhancing visibility in bright conditions.

Camera Comparison

Given the gaming focus, camera performance isn’t the primary differentiator. However, the ROG Phone 6, being a more premium device, likely incorporates a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and improved image processing algorithms. While specific sensor details are unavailable, Asus typically prioritizes camera quality in its flagship ROG devices. The Black Shark 5 likely offers a competent camera experience, but it won’t match the ROG Phone 6 in terms of detail, dynamic range, or low-light performance. We expect both phones to include standard wide and ultrawide lenses.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Black Shark 5’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 8+ Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 prime core, clocked at 3.19 GHz, offers a performance advantage over the 870’s Kryo 585. More importantly, the 4nm process node delivers substantially improved power efficiency, translating to less thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. The ROG Phone 6’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth, contributing to smoother multitasking and faster game loading times. The Black Shark 5, while still a capable performer, will likely exhibit more noticeable throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 6’s 65W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC5, is significantly faster than the Black Shark 5’s 120W charging. While 120W sounds faster, the ROG Phone 6’s charging efficiency and power delivery optimization likely result in a comparable or even faster 0-100% charge time in real-world scenarios. The ROG Phone 6 also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Black Shark 5. The actual battery capacity (not provided) will influence endurance, but the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s efficiency will give the ROG Phone 6 an advantage in sustained usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 if you need a capable gaming phone without breaking the bank, and are comfortable with slightly older but still potent hardware. It’s ideal for players who enjoy popular titles at high settings but don’t demand absolute maximum frame rates. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition if you prefer the absolute best performance, extended gaming sessions without throttling, and faster charging, and are willing to pay a premium for the latest Snapdragon technology and a more refined gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Black Shark 5 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact at max settings?
The Snapdragon 870 in the Black Shark 5 can run Genshin Impact, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable 60fps, especially during intense combat scenarios. The ROG Phone 6’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will handle max settings with greater ease and consistency.
❓ Does the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition overheat during long gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s 4nm process and Asus’s advanced cooling solutions (likely including vapor chamber cooling) significantly mitigate thermal throttling. While some heat is inevitable, the ROG Phone 6 will maintain higher sustained performance than the Black Shark 5 under prolonged load.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the Black Shark 5 actually faster than the 65W on the ROG Phone 6?
While 120W appears faster, the ROG Phone 6’s charging efficiency and power delivery optimization, combined with support for PD3.0 and QC5, likely result in comparable or even faster real-world charging times. The Black Shark 5’s 120W may experience more heat generation and voltage conversion losses.
❓ What kind of gaming accessories are available for each phone?
Asus has a robust ecosystem of ROG gaming accessories, including external coolers, controllers, and docks. The Black Shark 5 also supports accessories, but the selection is generally less extensive and may be harder to find.