Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro Ultimate Gaming Beast Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro sports an ergonomic design that balances aesthetic appeal with functional gaming features. It measures 163.8 x 76.4 x 9.9 mm and weighs 220 g, making it relatively manageable despite being packed with high-end components. The device boasts a sleek look with an option of colors including Shadow Black, Misty Grey, Cosmos Black, Dark Blue, and Silver. Its metal and glass construction gives it a premium feeling, and it includes trigger buttons on the side to enhance gaming performance.

Display

One of the standout features of the Black Shark 4 Pro is its 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio, it delivers sharp and vibrant visuals. The display supports HDR10+ and has a peak brightness of 1300 nits, making it suitable for outdoor usage. Importantly for gamers, it boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth gameplay without lag.

Performance

Under the hood, the Black Shark 4 Pro is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, one of the most powerful processors available as of 2021. It features an octa-core CPU setup and Adreno 660 GPU, which together promise exceptional gaming performance and efficient multitasking. The device is available in multiple RAM configurations, from 8GB to a whopping 16GB, paired with storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB, although it does not support expandable storage through microSD cards.

Camera System

The Black Shark 4 Pro is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup. It includes a 64 MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 5 MP macro camera. This combination allows users to capture high-resolution images and videos, with support for 4K recording at various frame rates. The front camera is a 20 MP sensor, capable of capturing detailed selfies and supporting 1080p video recording at 30fps.

Battery Life and Charging

Powering the device is a 4500 mAh battery, which is fairly standard for modern high-performance smartphones. However, where the Black Shark 4 Pro distinguishes itself is its charging capabilities. It supports 120W wired charging, which Xiaomi claims can achieve a 100% charge in just 15 minutes, making it one of the fastest in the industry. This feature ensures minimal downtime for gamers who rely on their devices during long sessions.

Software and User Interface

The smartphone runs on Android 11 with Joy UI 12.5, which is a custom skin designed for the Black Shark series. It includes several gaming-centric features, such as Shark Space, which optimizes performance and disables notifications to provide a distraction-free gaming environment. The interface is user-friendly and customizable, allowing users to tweak the settings to their preference.

Network and Connectivity

The Black Shark 4 Pro supports a broad range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, and 5G. This global connectivity is complemented by comprehensive wireless standards such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 and Bluetooth 5.0 or 5.2, depending on the model. Additional connectivity features include NFC support and a USB Type-C 2.0 port.

Sound and Additional Features

The device offers a superior audio experience with stereo speakers and retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that's slowly disappearing from many phones. For secure unlocking methods, it comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The array of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, enhances its functionality in various applications beyond gaming.

Price and Availability

The Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro was announced on March 23, 2021, and subsequently released on March 30, 2021. With a starting price of about 500 EUR, it offers competitive value considering its high-end specifications and gaming optimizations. Its availability extends across several markets, marking its presence in the global gaming smartphone arena.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro is a beast of a device, tailored specifically for gamers who require top-notch performance and features. It combines a powerful processor with a high refresh rate display and ultra-fast charging capabilities, wrapped in a premium, ergonomic design. While it may not offer expandable storage and misses out on some mainstream smartphone features like wireless charging, its gaming prowess and value for money make it a compelling choice for mobile gaming enthusiasts.