Xiaomi’s New ‘Black Shark’ Gaming Smartphone, Available This Month

Xiaomi’s New ‘Black Shark’ Gaming Smartphone, Available This Month

The idea of a “gaming” smartphone is an intriguing one, though one has to be careful about releasing and support such a device, lest it becomes an eternal joke within the gadget world. Not that Chinese vendor Xiaomi seems to care, having just announced its “Black Shark” gaming smartphone.

Of course, comparing a gaming phone of 2018 to 2003’s nGage isn’t necessarily fair — a lot has changed in 15 years. Still, you have to wonder just how different something like the Black Shark is to, say, a top-end Samsung or Apple, to warrant calling it a “gaming” phone.

Well, according to GSM Arena, the Black Shark has a 6-inch, 1080 x 2160 screen, with a PPI of 403. An eight-core Kryo 385 processor (with speeds ranging from 1.8-2.8GHz), coupled with an Adreno 630 GPU means it has plenty of grunt.

[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2017/05/why-these-revolutionary-phones-failed-so-hard/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/yqglsypwfphijauuk77u.png” title=”Why These ‘Revolutionary’ Phones Failed So Hard” excerpt=”Every year, gadget companies like to flaunt out their latest flagship smartphones and show off all of the ‘revolutionary’ features that will make this slab of glass and metal different from the nearly-identical looking slab of glass and metal already in our pockets.”]

In terms of memory and storage, it appears two models will be available: 128GB / 8GB RAM and 64GB / 6GB RAM.

It also comes with a non-removable 4000mAh battery and should weigh around 190g. As for dimensions, GSM Arena states 161.6 x 75.4 x 9.3mm.

No information on supported bands, but considering Xiaomi’s current line-up, it’s a good bet band 28 will be missing, which could compromise LTE reception with certain Australian carriers.

Also like Xiaomi’s smartphones, it’s unlikely to be sold locally, which means if you want one you’ll have to import. Ausdroid’s Scott Plowman writes that pricing will be in the area of ~$600 for the 64GB version and ~$700 for the 128GB one, based on yuan figures.

While the Black Shark is available now in China, GSM Arena’s info suggests international buyers will have to wait until April 20.

[Gizchina, via Ausdroid]


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