Xiaomi

Xiaomi Black Shark: Pros and Cons

Android OS v8.1 (Oreo)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Adreno 630
6 GB / 64 GB
5.99 inch (1080 x 2160 px)
12 + 20 MP, 4000 x 3000 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Xiaomi announced the launch of the Black Shark smartphone in 2018. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.99 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, and 6 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box, and a Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable battery. The 5.99 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (1080 x 2160 px). The Black Shark has a multi-camera setup. The lens offers versatility. It lets you capture a wide range of subjects and scenes from different perspectives. Is this phone a good value for its price? My review aims to answer that question by the end.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Xiaomi Black Shark smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Xiaomi Black Shark / 1

Xiaomi Black Shark specifications

BrandXiaomi
NameBlack Shark
ModelBS
Release date2018

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.7 oz
Dimensions6.36 x 2.97 x 0.36 inch
Colorsblack, gray
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Xiaomi Black Shark is about 6.7 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.1 (Oreo)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 845
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.8 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 630

The Xiaomi Black Shark comes with Android OS v8.1 (Oreo) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. It's a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 octa-core processor. It can handle complex tasks and run many applications. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Xiaomi Black Shark / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.99 inch
Resolution1080 x 2160 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.99 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.99 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM6 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Xiaomi Black Shark comes with 6 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage (64 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Xiaomi Black Shark / 2

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 + 20 MP, 4000 x 3000 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera20 MP

Using multiple cameras has advantages. They provide more versatility and creative possibilities. They let you capture a wider range of subjects. The main camera of Black Shark has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C, USB host
HeadphoneUSB Type-C adapter

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Black Shark smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The Black Shark smartphone does not have 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Black Shark isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Fast charging, Quick Charge

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The Black Shark phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Xiaomi phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • multicamera setup
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no headphone jack
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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