Xiaomi has introduced a refined version of its Black Shark 2 gaming smartphone. The new Black Shark 2 Pro is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC and features a UFS 3.0 storage device. Besides the SoC uplift, Xiaomi has managed to reduce its input latency versus predecessor, providing a snappier gaming experience.
While the Black Shark 2 Pro is not a brand new handset, it does come in a new chassis designed to enable a very comfortable grip during gaming sessions and it is also compatible with Xiaomi’s Gamepad 2.0 Bluetooth add-on that adds 12 buttons, a physical joystick, and a touchpad. Just like the original version, the Black Shark 2 Pro comes with a 6.39-inch AMOLED display featuring a 2340×1080 resolution, a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 430 nits brightness, a 60,000:1 contrast ratio, and a 240 Hz touchscreen polling rate. In a bid to provide an even better gaming experience, the Black Shark 2 Pro features 34.7 ms input latency, down from 43.5 ms in case of the original one.
Another key feature of the Black Shark 2 Pro is Qualcomm’s top-of-the-range Snapdragon 855 Plus application processor that provides higher performance than the predecessor and which is cooled down using a new cooling system that uses a vapor chamber-like technology. The SoC is paired with 12 GB of LPDDR4X memory, as well as a 128 GB or 256 GB UFS 3.0 storage device. While the new smartphone uses new internals, it still comes with a 4000 mAh battery.
Imaging capabilities of the Black Shark 2Pro handset include main camera comprising of a 48 MP RGB sensor as well as a 12 MP telephoto sensor, which are accompanied by a dual-LED flash, as well as an HDR-enabled 20-MP sensor for selfies on the front.
| The Black Shark 2 Pro Smartphone | ||||
| Preliminary Specifications | ||||
| Display | AMOLED 6.39″ 2340×1080 Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
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| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus Adreno 640 |
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| RAM | 12 GB LPDDR4X | |||
| Storage | 128 or 256 GB of UFS 3.0 NAND flash | |||
| Local Connectivity | Wi-Fi | 802.11ac Wi-Fi | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | |||
| Data/Charging | USB 2.0 Type-C | |||
| Audio | No 3.5-mm jack | |||
| NFC | Yes | |||
| LTE | X24 Modem | |||
| Navigation | dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | |||
| Rear Camera | 48 MP, f/1.75, 1/2-inch 0.8µm pixels, Laser/PDAF |
12 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1.0µm pixels, Laser/PDAF |
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| Front Camera | 20 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm | |||
| Battery | Capacity | 4000 mAh | ||
| Expected Life | ? | |||
| SIM Size | Nano SIM + Nano Sim | |||
| Sensors | accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | |||
| Biometric Security | Fingerprint | in-screen | ||
| Facial Recognition | – | |||
| Dimensions | Height | 163.6 mm | 6.44 inches | ||
| Width | 75 mm | 2.95 inches | |||
| Thickness | 8.8 mm | 0.35 inches | |||
| Weight | 205 grams | 7.23 ounces | |||
| Colors | black, blue, silver, orange, purple | |||
| Protection | Drop | ? | ||
| OS | Google Android 9.0 | |||
| Launch Countries | China initially, NA/EU launch later | |||
| Price | $385+ | |||
Xiami will start shipments of the Black Shark 2 Pro smartphones in black, blue, silver, orange and purple colors. The 128 GB variant will cost CNY 2,999 ($385), whereas the 256 GB version will be priced at CNY 3,499 ($450).
Related Reading:
- Xiaomi Black Shark 2 Gaming Phone: Snapdragon 855, 12 GB RAM, 240 Hz Polling
- Xiaomi Launches The New MIX3 5G and Mi9 for European Markets
- Xiaomi Mi 9 Lauched in China: 6.39-inch Snapdragon 855 with Game Turbo
- The Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Review: Fantastic Overall Value
Sources: Liliputing, GSM Arena
Source: AnandTech – Xiaomi Unveils Black Shark 2 Pro: Snapdragon 855+, UFS 3.0 Storage