Xiaomi Black Shark 4 5G 6.67" 48MP 12/256GB Review

The Mi Black Shark 4 is a focused gaming phone that delivers solid performance for the money. Its Snapdragon 870 and 144Hz display handle games well, but you trade away camera quality, battery life, and software support. At $797, it undercuts big-name flagships but demands you accept its single-minded purpose. Only recommended for dedicated mobile gamers on a budget.

The Mi Black Shark 4 is a phone that knows exactly what it is: a gaming machine. It's not trying to be the thinnest, the prettiest, or the best camera phone. It's built to deliver raw power for mobile gaming, and it's priced to undercut the big-name flagships. For someone who wants a dedicated gaming device without the 'gaming laptop' price tag, this is a compelling option.

Who is this for? It's for the mobile gamer who's tired of their mainstream phone throttling performance after 20 minutes of play. The Snapdragon 870 processor and 12GB of RAM are a solid combo for handling demanding titles, and the 144Hz display means buttery-smooth visuals. If your phone is your primary gaming console, this gets your attention.

What makes it interesting is the context. At around $800, it's sitting in a weird spot. It's more expensive than budget gaming phones but significantly cheaper than a Samsung Galaxy S-series or an iPhone. You're trading camera quality, brand recognition, and maybe some software polish for pure, focused performance. It's a niche product, but for the right person, it could be a perfect fit.

Let's talk numbers. The Snapdragon 870 is a proven workhorse. In our performance benchmarks, it lands in the 79th percentile. That's not the absolute top-tier anymore, but it's still seriously fast and, more importantly, known for good sustained performance under load. You won't see the dramatic frame rate drops that plague some thinner phones when they get hot. For gaming, that consistency is often more valuable than a higher peak score.

The 144Hz display is the other half of the performance story. A high refresh rate makes everything feel snappier, from scrolling menus to aiming in a shooter. Paired with the capable processor, it creates a genuinely responsive gaming experience. Just keep in mind, our data shows the display quality itself (color accuracy, brightness) is only in the 67th percentile. It's fast, but it's not the most vibrant screen out there.

The value proposition here is straightforward: raw gaming power per dollar. At $797, you're getting a processor and RAM combo that can hang with phones costing $300-$400 more. You're paying for the core gaming engine and not much else.

The catch is what you're giving up. That $800 could also get you a more balanced, recent mid-ranger from Samsung or Google with a better camera, better battery, and much stronger software support. So the value is entirely dependent on how much you prioritize gaming performance above all else. If that's your #1, the math works. If you want a good all-around phone, it starts to look expensive for the compromises.

Stacked against the competition, the Black Shark 4's trade-offs become crystal clear. Take the Samsung Galaxy S26 or Google Pixel 10. Both will demolish it in camera quality, battery life, software updates, and overall polish. But for pure, consistent gaming frame rates, the Black Shark's focused cooling and high refresh rate might give it an edge, and it does it for less money.

Then there's the OnePlus 15. It likely offers a more balanced flagship experience at a similar price point, with better cameras and build quality, though perhaps not the same overt gaming optimizations. And if you just want a cheap phone that can game, the Motorola Moto G is hundreds less, but you'll sacrifice performance and that smooth 144Hz display entirely. The Black Shark carves its niche right in the middle: more gaming power than a balanced flagship, but with more compromises than a dedicated gaming phone from a bigger brand like ASUS ROG.

Photographers and social media users should steer clear. The camera system is a notable weak point, scoring in the bottom 40%. If you care about taking great photos or videos for Instagram, you'll be disappointed. Look at a Google Pixel or recent Samsung Galaxy instead.

Anyone who needs reliable all-day battery life should also skip it. The 39th percentile battery score is a red flag. If you're not near an outlet often, this phone will cause anxiety. Similarly, if you value a premium feel, software updates, and a wide accessory ecosystem, the Black Shark's low build and feature scores tell the story. You're buying a gaming component in a phone body, not a refined consumer device.

Buy the Mi Black Shark 4 if your phone is primarily a gaming handheld and your budget is firm at around $800. You'll get excellent, consistent performance in mobile titles, a super smooth display, and you'll save cash compared to a full-price Galaxy or iPhone. Just be ready to carry a power bank and use a different device for photography.

Skip it if you need an all-around daily driver. The poor camera, mediocre battery life, and lack of software support make it a frustrating choice for anyone who also uses their phone for social media, photography, or just expects it to work reliably for years. In that case, a used flagship from last year or a current mid-ranger from Samsung or Google will be a much better fit for your life.