The Xiaomi Black Shark GS3 Ultra and Xiaomi 13 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The GS3 Ultra is positioned as a dedicated gaming device, while the 13 Pro aims for a more balanced flagship experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For dedicated mobile gamers, the Xiaomi Black Shark GS3 Ultra is the clear winner, promising superior performance and gaming-centric features. However, the Xiaomi 13 Pro offers a more refined all-around experience with excellent camera capabilities and a strong 115-hour endurance rating, making it ideal for mainstream users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, November 21 | 2022, December 11 |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2025, December | Available. Released 2022, December 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back or silicone polymer back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 162.9 x 74.6 x 8.4 mm or 8.7 mm |
| SIM | No | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 210 g or 229 g (7.41 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1000 nits | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 740 |
| OS | - | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Phonebook | No | - |
| | - | UFS 3.1 - 128GB
UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50.3 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), 3.2x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Video | - | 8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 1080p@1920fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min
50W wireless, 100% in 36 min
10W reverse wireless |
| Type | - | Li-Po 4820 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Ceramic White, Ceramic Black, Ceramic Flora Green, Mountain Blue |
| Models | - | 2210132G, 2210132C |
| Price | - | About 750 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 115h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1281666 (v9)
GeekBench: 5087 (v5.1), 5323 (v6)
GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Black Shark GS3 Ultra
- Likely superior gaming performance
- Potential for dedicated gaming features (triggers, cooling)
- Potentially higher refresh rate display
- Camera likely not as strong as the 13 Pro
- Battery life and charging specs currently unknown
Xiaomi 13 Pro
- Excellent camera system
- Long battery life (115h endurance)
- Fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
- Not specifically optimized for gaming
- May experience more throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 13 Pro boasts a display capable of reaching 1253 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the GS3 Ultra’s display specs are currently unknown, Black Shark phones traditionally prioritize high refresh rates for smoother gaming. The 13 Pro’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a high-quality OLED panel, but without GS3 Ultra display data, a direct comparison of color accuracy and panel technology (LTPO) is impossible. Gamers will likely benefit from the GS3 Ultra’s potentially higher refresh rate, while general users will appreciate the 13 Pro’s proven brightness and contrast.
Camera Comparison
The Xiaomi 13 Pro is equipped with a versatile camera system, capable of both high-quality photo and video capture. While specific sensor details are missing, the focus on 'Photo / Video' suggests a well-rounded setup. The GS3 Ultra, geared towards gaming, likely prioritizes camera functionality less, potentially offering a competent but not class-leading camera experience. Without detailed specs, it’s difficult to assess the GS3 Ultra’s camera capabilities, but the 13 Pro’s established reputation in this area gives it a significant advantage. We can assume the 13 Pro will have superior image processing algorithms.
Performance
Both devices are powered by Qualcomm silicon, but the Xiaomi 13 Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). This chipset features an octa-core configuration with a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, promising exceptional performance. The 4nm process node is crucial, offering improved thermal efficiency compared to older generations, reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The GS3 Ultra’s chipset is unconfirmed, but given its gaming focus, it’s likely to feature a similarly high-end Snapdragon processor, potentially overclocked for even greater performance. The 13 Pro’s LPDDR5x RAM will contribute to faster application loading and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 13 Pro delivers impressive battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 115 hours and providing 10 hours and 55 minutes of active use. Its charging capabilities are equally impressive, with 120W wired charging reaching 100% in just 19 minutes, and 50W wireless charging completing a full charge in 36 minutes. The 10W reverse wireless charging adds further convenience. The GS3 Ultra’s battery capacity and charging speeds are currently unknown, but a larger battery is expected to compensate for the power demands of gaming. However, the 13 Pro’s fast charging and long endurance rating provide a significant advantage for users who prioritize convenience and longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark GS3 Ultra if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, need the fastest possible processing speeds for demanding titles, and value features like dedicated gaming triggers. Buy the Xiaomi 13 Pro if you prefer a balanced flagship experience with a superb camera system, long battery life (115h endurance), and fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, even if it means sacrificing some raw gaming horsepower.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi 13 Pro handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at max settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a powerhouse capable of running Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games at maximum settings with consistently high frame rates. The 4nm process node and efficient thermal design minimize throttling, ensuring sustained performance during long gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 13 Pro support high refresh rate gaming, and if so, what is the maximum supported rate?
While the Xiaomi 13 Pro doesn't explicitly advertise a super-high refresh rate like some gaming phones, its display is capable of supporting high frame rates in compatible games. The exact maximum supported rate will depend on the game and its settings, but it can comfortably achieve 60Hz or higher for a smooth gaming experience.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wireless charging on the Xiaomi 13 Pro useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 10W reverse wireless charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. While not incredibly fast, it's a handy way to share power from your phone when you're away from a traditional charger.
❓ Given the gaming focus of the Black Shark GS3 Ultra, does it have any advanced cooling solutions to prevent overheating?
Black Shark phones are known for incorporating advanced cooling solutions, and the GS3 Ultra is likely to continue this trend. Expect features like vapor chamber cooling, multiple layers of graphite, and potentially even external fan attachments to maintain optimal performance during extended gaming sessions. However, specific details are currently unavailable.
