Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra leads — 61/100 vs 59/100 (a 2-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500); the main camera is 108 MP vs 64 MP; the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is faster in AnTuTu (1,135,878 vs 1,074,182); the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is thinner (8.9mm vs 9.9mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra better?
- Better Geekbench Multi: 3555 vs 3537
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4500 mAh
- Better main camera: 108MP vs 64MP
- Better camera (55/100 vs 46/100)
- Better portability (33/100 vs 32/100)
What makes Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1135878 vs 1074182
- Better Geekbench Single: 1500 vs 1435
- Faster charging: 120W vs 25W
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Lighter: 220g vs 228g
- Higher performance (64/100 vs 63/100)
- Longer battery life (54/100 vs 52/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra scores 2 points higher (61/100 vs 59/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are nearly equal (64/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100. In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a bit better (55/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS are nearly equal (33/100 vs 32/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G | |
| AnTuTu | 1074182 | 1135878 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.7" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3200x1440 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 120W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 0W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 117 | — | |
| Main camera | 108 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 8 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 5 MP | |
| Front camera | 40 MP | 20 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 8GB / 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB | |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, Joy UI 12.8 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | — | |
| Dimensions | 165.1×75.6×8.9 mm | 163.7×76.2×9.9 mm | |
| Weight | 228 g | 220 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | — |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Main: 108MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 40MP
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
- Main: 64MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 5MP
- Front: 20MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 120W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS leads Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 5.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are nearly equal (64/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 89/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a bit better (55/100 vs 46/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS are nearly equal (33/100 vs 32/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra edges out the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS by just 2 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 61/100, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS — 59/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra leads on camera score (55/100 vs 46/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra over the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is a better fit for active users.