Xiaomi Black Shark 5 vs Black Shark 5 Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Black Shark 5 Pro offers a significant performance boost with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and potentially improved camera capabilities. However, the Black Shark 5 remains a compelling option with its Snapdragon 870, blazing-fast 120W charging, and a more budget-friendly price point. The Pro is for serious gamers, while the 5 is excellent for most.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 | 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 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 30 | 2022, March 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 04 | Available. Released 2022, April 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 76.3 x 10 mm (6.45 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 | 218 g (7.69 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 (~85.9% 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 (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, Joy UI 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (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 | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | 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 4650 mAh | Li-Po 4650 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gray | Black, White |
| Models | SHARK PAR-A0 | SHARK KTUS-H0 |
| Price | About 600 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
- Excellent value for money
- Blazing-fast 120W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
- High refresh rate display (likely 144Hz)
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
- Older chipset compared to the Pro
- Potentially slightly less bright display
- Camera performance may be slightly behind the Pro
- Design might be less premium than the Pro
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Potentially improved camera performance
- Slightly brighter display
- Premium design and build quality
- Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)
- Higher price point
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can be prone to thermal throttling
- Battery life may be slightly impacted by the more powerful chipset
Display Comparison
The Black Shark 5 Pro boasts a slightly brighter display at 682 nits compared to the Black Shark 5 (specs not available, assumed slightly lower). Both likely feature high refresh rates (144Hz) for smooth visuals. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned for the Pro is a nominal value and doesn't necessarily translate to a dramatically better viewing experience in real-world use. Color accuracy and overall display quality are likely comparable.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited for both devices. Both are described as 'Photo / Video' which doesn't provide much information. The Black Shark 5 Pro likely has slightly improved image processing and potentially better hardware due to the newer chipset, but concrete comparisons are difficult without detailed camera specifications and sample images. Expect decent camera performance on both, but not flagship-level quality.
Performance
This is where the Pro shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) in the Black Shark 5 Pro offers a substantial performance advantage over the Snapdragon 870 (7nm) in the Black Shark 5. Expect faster load times, smoother gameplay in demanding titles, and better multitasking capabilities on the Pro. While the 870 is still a very capable chip, the 8 Gen 1 represents a generational leap.
Battery Life
Both devices share the same 120W wired charging, promising a 100% charge in 15 minutes. Both have an endurance rating of 83h, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. Gaming will, of course, drain the battery faster.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 5? Gamers on a tighter budget who still want a powerful and feature-rich experience. It's ideal for those prioritizing fast charging and a smooth gaming experience without breaking the bank. Who should buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro? Dedicated mobile gamers who demand the absolute best performance, a potentially better camera, and are willing to pay a premium for the flagship chipset.