Xiaomi Black Shark 5 vs Poco F5 Pro: The Ultimate Gaming Phone Battle

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 and Poco F5 Pro are both contenders for the title of best gaming phone, but they take different approaches. The Black Shark 5 prioritizes raw power and aggressive cooling, while the Poco F5 Pro focuses on a premium display and a more balanced feature set. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco F5 Pro edges out the Black Shark 5 thanks to its superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, brighter display, and faster wireless charging. While the Black Shark 5 boasts incredibly fast wired charging, the Poco F5 Pro offers a more well-rounded and refined experience for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
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, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2022, March 302023, May 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 04Available. Released 2023, May
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.8 x 76.3 x 10 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight218 g (7.69 oz)204 g (7.20 oz)
 Physical pop-up gaming triggersIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 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 (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 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 13, upgradable to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min 30W wireless, 50% in 32 min
TypeLi-Po 4650 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, GrayBlack, White
ModelsSHARK PAR-A023013PC75G
PriceAbout 600 EUR$ 449.99 / € 241.85
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 99h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9) GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Black Shark 5

  • Incredibly fast 120W wired charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
  • Aggressive cooling system for sustained performance
  • Dedicated gaming features (shoulder triggers)

  • Less bright display compared to Poco F5 Pro
  • Design can be polarizing
  • No wireless charging
  • Camera performance not as strong as Poco F5 Pro

Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro

  • Superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Fast 67W wired and 30W wireless charging
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Likely better camera performance

  • Charging speed slower than Black Shark 5
  • Gaming-specific features (triggers) are absent
  • May run slightly warmer under sustained load compared to Black Shark 5's cooling

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 Pro's display is a clear winner. Its 1059 nits peak brightness significantly outshines the Black Shark 5, offering better visibility in sunlight. The infinite contrast ratio suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors. While the Black Shark 5 has a decent display, it lacks the Poco F5 Pro's visual punch.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Poco F5 Pro likely holds an advantage. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1's image signal processor (ISP) generally delivers better image quality and video recording capabilities. Specific camera specs are missing, but the Poco F5 Pro's overall hardware is expected to be superior.

Performance

The Poco F5 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is noticeably faster and more efficient than the Black Shark 5's Snapdragon 870. This translates to smoother gameplay, quicker app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The Poco F5 Pro's 4nm process also contributes to improved thermal management.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (99h). However, the Poco F5 Pro's 67W wired charging and 30W wireless charging offer more flexibility and convenience compared to the Black Shark 5's 120W wired charging. While the Black Shark 5 charges faster, the Poco F5 Pro's wireless charging is a significant bonus.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 is ideal for hardcore gamers who prioritize maximum performance and don't mind a more utilitarian design. The Poco F5 Pro is a better choice for users who want a powerful phone with a stunning display, versatile camera, and a more premium feel, while still offering excellent gaming capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Poco F5 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 generally handles demanding games better due to its superior processing power and thermal management.
❓ Does the Black Shark 5 have shoulder triggers?
Yes, the Black Shark 5 features dedicated physical shoulder triggers that enhance the gaming experience.