In the deep ocean, white giant sharks are apical predators that have no natural hunters except humans. He hunted wildly until he became the main character of the Jaws movie series. In the world of devices for starters, the Black Shark 5 Pro is probably the white giant shark because of its high capabilities matched by its robust design as well as additional features that are unmatched at the moment.
Specifications And Designs
Black Shark 5 Pro
6.67 AMOLED screen,
1080 x 2400 pixels, 144Hz, HDR10+
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (4nm)
1 X 3.0 GHz Cortex X2 chip
3 X 2.5 GHz Cortex A710
4 X 1.8 GHz Cortex A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 12/16 GB
Internal Load 256 UFS
Main Camera 108+13+5 Megapixel f/1.8+f/2.2+f/2.4
16 f/2.45 Megapixel Selfie Camera
4650 mAh battery
120W wired charging
SIM / Phone Dual SIM nano / 5G
NFC Yes
Audio Jack Missing
Waterproof None
Side Finger Scanner Scanning System
Selling Price RM3699 (12/256GB)
RM3999 (16/256GB)
I missed the more aggressive Black Shark 3 Pro design with a metal back that feels solid in the hand. On the Black Shark 5 Pro it is replaced with a flat plastic panel with a finish that makes it sparkle like a rainbow at certain angles. The plastic design of the Black Shark 5 Pro if at least not as boring as on the Black Shark 4 Pro which failed to make it look like a device for the first time. The use of this plastic panel makes the device 33 grams lighter than the Black Shark 3 Pro. But I am in the minority who prefer a heavier device especially if it is a device for the first.
There is a small color -controlled LED light that is displayed based on battery charge level, notifications, first plays and phone calls received. The LED lighting system is also no longer aggressive as we miss the Black Shark logo that lights up because it is quite successful. A large simple hump completes the back panel. It houses three camera sensors and a rather large flashlight.
On the front of the panel the 6.67 ″ OLED used is flat with support up to 144Hz. The refresh rate is quite high but it is still not supported by most Android startups. The same screen also supports the HDR10+ format and has a hole for the front camera. The position of this hole is a bit annoying when watching a video or the first session. But as I get used to the iPhone’s big notch, this hole is no longer a problem after a few days.
The screen passes the HDR10+ standard but while reviews are still being written, only YouTube can display HDR content. There is no HDR support logo on the Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar and Prime Video apps. This is disappointing because the Black Shark 5 Pro comes with Widevine L1 DRM support which allows it to support major streaming platforms. If HDR is important to you, the Black Shark 5 Pro is a little disappointing.
What does not disappoint is the bright and sharp screen even though it is just FHD+. Sharp images, precise touch detection and a fairly bright color display. Social media apps, web surfing and running firsts are really good on this screen. We only request that a more durable screen protector be provided because after only 4 days, the surface of the screen protector on the unit reviewed has already started to bulge due to the long gaming session.
Another compliment we would like to give is on the haptic system. It is very good and comparable to our experience using an iPhone 13 Pro Max. Feel the realistic looking response while changing the sound volume of the device. Also interesting is that the screen can detect pressure which can then be programmed to a specific feature in the first such as running.
As a device for starters, the Black Shark 5 Pro comes with two relatively large Master Trigger physical shoulder buttons. It needs to be removed manually before it can be used. The effect of a bullet -like sound entering the pistol chamber is produced each time the shoulder button is removed from the storage. If you’re a first -time FPS fan, the sound effects make you feel like a Duke Nukem, Doom Guy, Gordon Freeman and Captain Price instantly.
These shoulder buttons and switches can be programmed not only for the first. You can program it to take screenshots, launch the camera, take pictures, turn on flashlights and more. Black Shark offers a variety of options for users to use these buttons and switches at will.
The device is quite large and still quite heavy. But these are two features that don’t pose a problem like a device for a start as it’s still lighter than the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck and Sony Dual Sense game controllers.
Usage And Software
Android 12 -based JOYUI 13 launcher as well as MIUI 13 are used on this device. If you’ve used a Xiaomi device before, the JOYUI experience is similar only with a few extra features that qualify it to be called a device for the first time.
First and foremost is Shark Space which is the first hub in devices like Game Mode on other devices on the market. Settings for each first can be done via Shark Space. Want a higher frame rate, the most optimal power, and a different level of touch detection accuracy for each first? This can be done directly through Shark Space.
Gamer Studio is also back for easier control of various device features directly from a tray pulled from above. Battery usage, CPU power, frame rate, turning off all types of interruptions during the first session, connected accessory control and Master Trigger control are also performed through Gamer Studio.
For those who want a special virtual assistant for the first time, Shark Chan is also back. A virtual assistant with a three -dimensional avatar that can be placed directly on the front screen like a background image. It animates all the time and speaks when notifications are received. This is the least useful feature unless you are a human being who really needs a virtual wife or better known as WAIFU. This virtual waifu feature however feels like a gimmick to accompany lonely gamers only.
The device has a host of other settings specific to gaming such as light control, battery and notifications which are quite fancy. Be consistent with its status as a top -class first -class device. No compromise on performance and features is made by Black Shark.
The only negative comment we can give is that the interface is different from the original Android. For those looking for a more stock interface, you won’t find it here. The issue of ads appearing in the app as well as the installation of the app is also there but it can be turned off by the user if annoying.
Bench mark
The Black Shark 5 Pro is officially the most powerful device ever reviewed at our Labs. The benchmark scores recorded are as below.
Geekbench 5 - 1202/3693 Marks
Antutu 3D - 1,018,939 Marks
The score recorded is beyond that recorded by the Vivo X80 Pro with the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. What is interesting here is that the chip temperature increased up to 12.4% during testing but did not show a throtting issue that slowed it down. The score in the Geekbench test was the time behind the Apple A15 Bionic which recorded 1716/4678 marks.
The performance of running the first Black Shark 5 Pro was impressive. Even after undergoing 6 continuous MP sessions in COD Mobile at the highest setting it is still stable with a frame rate of 90 FPS. The direct warm -up issue does not exist as it does on other devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. Running Diablo Immortal is also no problem but performance is only disrupted because the browser is located in Korea and has nothing to do with the processor chip.
Because it doesn't feel hot, we can play the first favorite for longer and only the battery life can stop us from playing. The Black Shark 5 Pro is a device for an excellent first.
Telephones And GPS
Telephony is good with no issues getting a 4G network. When the article was written Black Shark 5 Pro was still not supported by 5G DNB network then we were not able to test it. All we know is the VoLTE and VoWiFI features can be used if your telco supports them. Clearer voice calls can be enjoyed if this option is enabled
With WiFi 6 support, the fastest WiFi speed can also be enjoyed if you have this router at home. During the review period we did not encounter any issues with WiFi and video game sessions could be enjoyed with low pings.
GPS also worked well throughout the two -week review period. The Waze and Google Map apps instantly track the location of vehicles.
Camera
The camera is not of interest on a gaming device but the Black Shark 5 Pro comes with a 108MP wide angle camera, 13MP ultra wide angle and 5MP macro. The camera combination isn’t terribly impressive but is an improvement over the Black Shark 4 Pro camera. On the front, a 16MP camera is placed in the camera hole. The device can do video recording up to 4K 60FPS while the supported digital zoom is up to 5X only.
Here are some sample photos taken during the review period. The picture is satisfactory in bright conditions. Upon entering an enclosed area it starts to become a little soft due to having to do longer exposures without any OIS. This is a common issue on devices without OIS stabilization. The situation becomes less satisfactory when the picture is taken at night with the image taken not very sharp. Color reproduction, on the other hand, is fine as it is not as accurate as the color of the actual object.
The zoom support is only up to 5X only and clearly uses the cropping sensor technique because the pictures taken are not sharp. Macro mode is just simple. The camera system on the Black Shark 5 Pro will not win any photography awards anytime soon.
Battery
The 4650 mAh battery is quite small for a device for a start and as a result the battery can only last up to 5 hours in continuous game mode. In normal use mode, the SOT time is capable of reaching up to around 7 hours with the longest life throughout the test period being around 15 hours without any initial sessions. This is not an impressive battery life eating the included 120W charging will save you as the device recharging time from 0-100% only takes around 20 minutes.
The Black Shark includes a mode of connecting the power cable to the device but it bypasses the battery to prevent damage to the battery. This feature is especially useful if you want to install power cables all the time.
Audio
The two stereo speakers that shoot to the side are extremely loud and clear. Probably one of the best speaker systems on a smartphone we've ever seen. Listening to music and watching videos is very satisfying because the audio quality produced is very good. The bass vibrates and the vocals are bright.
The only issue is the location of the speakers that are engrossed in closing when the device is held in a gain for FPS games. The loud audio continued to disappear as the speaker hole was closed with the palm of the hand. It is very detrimental. Another drawback of the Black Shark 5 Pro is that it has no audio jacks. When using TWS, the slow attack audio of a few milliseconds makes it completely unsuitable for use in the first FPS session.
In the box
Here is what is received with every purchase of a device in Malaysia.
1x Black Shark 5 Pro
1x USB-A to USB-C charger cable.
1x 120W Charger
1x Silicone frame.
1x Manual.
1x SIM Pin
1x Black Shark logo sticker
Conclusion
This is the best first device we have ever used so far. Stunning performance, fast screen, well-functioning cooling system and extra features make it truly a top-class first-class device. If you run the first at the highest setting with a shoulder button that will make the gaming session more enjoyable this is the device you were looking for before.
At the same time the camera capabilities are better than usual. Devices for starters usually ignore the camera system but the Black Shark 5 Pro is still capable of taking eye -catching pictures.
The disadvantage is the short battery life due to its small capacity. Fortunately the provided 120W charger can recharge the battery in 20 minutes. The less ergonomic speaker position and no 3.5mm audio jack are also a bit disappointing.
At a price starting from RM3699 we feel the Black Shark 5 Pro is a smart choice for those looking for a self -contained device for the first time. This is a device for the first choice of apex class predators such as a giant white shark. If you want to have an advantage in online gaming? This is the device we recommend.
Pro
Attractive premium design.
Best performance for Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip.
JOYUI 3 has a variety of additional features for an exciting first.
The shoulder buttons are especially useful in primers and various other applications.
Extremely fast charging system.
Steady audio.
An excellent cooling system controls heat.
Cons
No audio jacks.
Speakers are easily obstructed during the first session.
Unsatisfactory battery life.
The camera is not very good.