Xiaomi Black Shark 5 vs. vivo iQOO 9 Pro: A Deep Dive for Gamers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average gamer prioritizing sustained performance and value, the vivo iQOO 9 Pro emerges as the winner. While the Black Shark 5 offers a compelling price point, the iQOO 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, coupled with its faster charging (8 minutes to 50%) and comparable battery endurance, provides a more future-proof and overall refined experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 | vivo iQOO 9 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 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1x | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 30 | 2022, January 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 04 | Available. Released 2022, January 12 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Panda Glass), aluminum frame, glass back or aramid fiber back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.3 x 10 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.39 in) | 164.8 x 75.2 x 8.8 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 218 g (7.69 oz) | 204 g or 210 g (7.20 oz) |
| Physical pop-up gaming triggers | Splash and dust resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak) | LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, Joy UI 13 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS Ocean (China) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 (V6) | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED lash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 60mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.3, 15mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 100% in 15 min | 120W wired, 50% in 8 min, 100% in 20 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4650 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gray | Legend (White w/ BMW M branding), Dark Cruise, Orange |
| Models | SHARK PAR-A0 | V2172A, I2022 |
| Price | About 600 EUR | About 630 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 97h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.8 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 862324 (v8), 997948 (v9) GeekBench: 3708 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Black Shark 5
- More affordable price point
- Thermally efficient Snapdragon 870
- Fast 120W wired charging
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 870)
- Potentially less advanced display
- Limited camera details
vivo iQOO 9 Pro
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
- Faster charging (8 min to 50%) and wireless charging
- Brighter display (1000 nits)
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can throttle under sustained load
- Higher price tag
- Potential for higher power consumption
Display Comparison
The iQOO 9 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1000 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Black Shark 5. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the iQOO 9 Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The iQOO 9 Pro’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. Details regarding refresh rate and PWM dimming are missing for both, but the iQOO 9 Pro’s flagship positioning suggests a higher likelihood of advanced display features.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Given the iQOO 9 Pro’s flagship status, it’s reasonable to expect a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing. The Black Shark 5 likely prioritizes gaming features over camera prowess. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible, but the iQOO 9 Pro likely holds an advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Black Shark 5 utilizes the Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), while the iQOO 9 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The 4nm process of the Gen 1 offers improved power efficiency and transistor density, theoretically leading to higher sustained performance. The iQOO 9 Pro’s CPU configuration – 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 – represents a significant architectural upgrade over the Black Shark 5’s Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585). However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat, potentially leading to throttling under prolonged heavy loads, a factor the 870 mitigates due to its lower TDP.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 97 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing internal capacities (not specified). However, the iQOO 9 Pro significantly outperforms the Black Shark 5 in charging speed: 120W wired charging reaching 50% in just 8 minutes and 100% in 20 minutes, versus the Black Shark 5’s 15 minutes to 100%. The iQOO 9 Pro also adds 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging, offering greater versatility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 if you need a capable gaming phone on a tighter budget and prioritize a proven, thermally efficient chipset. It’s ideal for users who play a variety of games and don’t necessarily demand the absolute highest frame rates. Buy the vivo iQOO 9 Pro if you prefer uncompromising performance, faster charging speeds (including 50W wireless), and a display capable of reaching 1000 nits of peak brightness, making it the better choice for competitive gamers and multimedia enthusiasts.