Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro is a flagship gaming phone that offers powerful performance, unique gaming features, and a sleek design. It is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and a 144Hz AMOLED display. The phone also features physical pop-up gaming triggers and a large battery with 120W fast charging. However, it does have some drawbacks such as lackluster battery life and overheating issues.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Black Shark 5 Pro is sleek and futuristic, with a satin-finished glass back and gridline patterns. The phone features a square camera bump on the back and a physical pop-up gaming trigger on the side. It is slightly thicker and heavier than other flagship phones, but this is to accommodate the gaming features and cooling system. Overall, the design is unique and appealing, but some may find it too flashy for everyday use.

Display

The Black Shark 5 Pro features a 6.67-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The display is vibrant and offers excellent color accuracy. The 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and gameplay, while the HDR10+ support enhances the contrast and dynamic range of content. The display also has an always-on feature, allowing users to quickly check the time and notifications without unlocking the phone.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Black Shark 5 Pro is a beast. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, which delivers outstanding gaming performance and allows for smooth multitasking. The phone also comes with up to 16GB of RAM, ensuring fast and efficient app loading and multitasking. The physical pop-up gaming triggers provide an advantage in competitive gaming, giving users a more immersive and controller-like experience.

Software and User Interface

The Black Shark 5 Pro runs on Joy UI 13, which is based on Android 12. The software provides a gaming-focused experience with features like Game Space, which allows users to customize their gaming settings and performance. The UI is clean and easy to navigate, but it may not appeal to those who prefer a stock Android experience. The software is regularly updated with bug fixes and improvements.

Camera

The camera setup on the Black Shark 5 Pro is decent but not exceptional. It features a triple camera setup on the back, including a 108MP wide lens, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The camera performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing detailed and vibrant photos. However, it struggles in low-light situations, with some noise and loss of detail. The 16MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

The Black Shark 5 Pro is equipped with a 4,650mAh battery, which is decent but not exceptional for a gaming phone. The battery life is average, lasting a full day with moderate usage. However, intensive gaming sessions can drain the battery quickly. The phone supports 120W fast charging, allowing users to charge the phone from 0 to 100% in just 15 minutes. This is a significant advantage for gamers who need to quickly recharge their phone between gaming sessions.

Connectivity and Networking

The Black Shark 5 Pro offers a range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and 5G support. The phone also features a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. However, it does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may be a downside for users who prefer wired headphones. The phone has stereo speakers, which offer good sound quality but may not be as immersive as dedicated gaming headphones.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

Compared to other gaming phones on the market, the Black Shark 5 Pro stands out with its unique design and physical pop-up gaming triggers. It offers similar performance to other flagship gaming phones, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and ample RAM. However, it falls behind in terms of battery life, with some competing devices offering larger batteries. The camera performance is also not as strong as some other gaming phones on the market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

Overall, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro is a solid gaming phone with powerful performance and unique gaming features. It offers a sleek design and a vibrant display, making it a great choice for gamers. However, it does have some drawbacks such as average battery life and camera performance. If you prioritize gaming performance and design, the Black Shark 5 Pro is worth considering. However, if you need a phone with exceptional battery life and camera capabilities, there may be better options on the market.