Xiaomi Unveils Black Shark 2 Pro: Snapdragon 855+, UFS 3.0 Storage
by Anton Shilov on July 31, 2019 1:00 PM EST
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 2340x1080 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" 2340x1080 Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
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| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus Adreno 640 |
|||
| 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 |
||
| 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
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Rookierookie - Friday, August 2, 2019 - link
Why not rail against people using ThinkPads?leo_sk - Monday, August 5, 2019 - link
yeah their miui has some interesting features, but its too much riddled with ads and i couldn't really trust what all they could be sending to their servers. But they are still quite value for money even if the hard work of installing another rom is factoredDragonstongue - Wednesday, July 31, 2019 - link
higher spec, same battery... for a while Xiaomi ad really solid "large" battery, now they seem to up the speed/spec last 2 odd years but not battery (besides some of the Mi phones such Mi Max type deal) ESPECIALLY when listed as "gaming"Gaming needs MORE life, not the same with even higher speed
you bunch of fool phone makers (that goes to Samsung, LG, Apple (kind of) Motorola etc) especially when they put the label "flagship"
I know "designer" flagships like motorcycles or Ferrari is one thing, but these phones are designed for "heavy use" over the long term, saddling with a too small battery will cook the crud out of it..
if they do "gaming" they should supply a second battery at least IMO (would be better than nothing) phones we need replace at some point, battery often die quicke (specially when WAY more juice required) so make battery removable or not call "gaming" nor "flagship"
them putzes ^.^
ZolaIII - Thursday, August 1, 2019 - link
Battery's are heavy, 4 Ah one for instance is about 80g. When you take in consideration how this needs cooling & cetera it all adds to the weight. The best practice would be dropping back to 16:9 displays up to 6" and adding physical buttons in the area that is currently occupied with out of ordinary display proportions saving around 20% power that is waisted on display.leo_sk - Monday, August 5, 2019 - link
A removable battery with 3-5 min backup integrated into the phone could make quite a lot of sensePeter2k - Thursday, August 1, 2019 - link
This seems to be directed to compete with the ROG phone 2At a glance specs are mostly the same, including a 1080p panel low input lag, in screen fingerprint, same MP camera, and such
And flashiness
Only difference I see is this phone uses a smaller battery (ROG phone 2 is 6000mAh), and sorta 3 times the price
I would put the ROG 2 next to the Xiaomi in for comparison
nimi - Thursday, August 1, 2019 - link
The ROG2 has a 3.5mm jack AND an additional USB-C port, for a total of 2 - on a freaking phone!On the gimmicky spectrum, the ROG2 has two "AirTriggers".
And, more importantly now than ever, ASUS is not a Chinese company, that in my book is a huge difference.
leo_sk - Monday, August 5, 2019 - link
People's Republic of China begs to differabufrejoval - Tuesday, August 6, 2019 - link
Actually, I guess most Taiwanese will consider themselves Chinese. The very point of Taiwan as I remember is that they don't want to be part of the "people's republic".And I would also prefer products from a company under less direct coersion than those in the US, UK, Iran or the PRC.
LiverpoolFC5903 - Thursday, August 1, 2019 - link
Bluetooth connected controller accessory is a waste imo...They could have implemented a physical connection with next to no latency, much better for games requiring fast responses...No 3.5 mm is also a bummer.