RedMagic 7S Pro vs Black Shark 5 Pro: Which Gaming Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most gamers, the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers superior thermal efficiency and sustained performance, crucial for extended gaming sessions. While the Black Shark 5 Pro’s brighter screen is appealing, the RedMagic’s performance edge is more impactful for demanding users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International, China | 1, 3, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 11 | 2022, March 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 15 | Available. Released 2022, April 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 166.3 x 77.1 x 10 mm (6.55 x 3.04 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 | 235 g (8.29 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors (China only), 120Hz, 600 nits | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, Redmagic 5.5 | Android 12, Joy UI 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM, 1TB 18GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| 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, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 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 | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps; HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide), under display | 16 MP, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, accessory connector | USB Type-C 2.0, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (China only) |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 135W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 5 min, 100% in 15 min (China) 65W wired, PD3.0 (International) | 120W wired, 100% in 15 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4650 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Obsidian, Supernova, Mercury, Yellow | Black, White |
| Models | NX709S | SHARK KTUS-H0 |
| Price | About 780 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) |
ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro
- Superior chipset (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) for better performance
- Faster charging speeds (135W in China)
- Potentially better thermal management due to chipset efficiency
- Lower peak display brightness
- Limited camera details available
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro
- Significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Fast 120W charging
- Good battery endurance (83h rating)
- Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Potential for more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro immediately stands out with its measured peak brightness of 682 nits, significantly exceeding the RedMagic 7S Pro’s 449 nits. This difference is noticeable in direct sunlight. Both devices feature high refresh rate panels, but the Black Shark 5 Pro’s higher brightness and infinite contrast ratio (nominal) provide a more vibrant and immersive visual experience. However, the RedMagic 7S Pro’s display technology isn’t detailed, so we can’t assess features like LTPO for variable refresh rate efficiency. The Black Shark 5 Pro’s brighter panel benefits users who game outdoors or in well-lit rooms.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable photo and video capabilities, but neither is a primary focus. Detailed camera specs are absent, making a direct comparison difficult. We can assume both utilize multi-camera setups, but without sensor size or aperture information, assessing image quality is impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit. Gamers prioritizing image quality should look elsewhere, as these phones prioritize gaming features over photographic prowess.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the RedMagic 7S Pro utilizes the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm), while the Black Shark 5 Pro features the older SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm). The ‘+’ generation signifies improvements in efficiency and clock speeds. The RedMagic’s CPU configuration (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) offers a slight edge over the Black Shark’s (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510). The 4nm process node on both chips is crucial for thermal management, but the 8+ Gen 1’s architectural refinements translate to less heat generation under sustained load, minimizing throttling. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5X RAM, but specific speeds aren’t provided.
Battery Life
The Black Shark 5 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting solid battery life. Both phones offer incredibly fast charging: the RedMagic 7S Pro supports 135W wired (China) / 65W (International), while the Black Shark 5 Pro offers 120W. Both claim a full charge in around 15 minutes, though real-world results may vary. The RedMagic’s faster charging (in China) is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. While the Black Shark 5 Pro’s endurance rating is good, the RedMagic’s more efficient chipset may offset any potential battery capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia RedMagic 7S Pro if you prioritize sustained gaming performance and need the latest chipset for demanding titles. Its superior thermal management will prevent throttling during long play sessions. Buy the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro if you frequently game in bright environments and value a significantly brighter display, and are willing to potentially accept slightly lower sustained performance under heavy load.