Xiaomi 18 Pro Max vs Xiaomi Black Shark 2
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, while the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 (2019) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 48/100 (a 44-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 48 MP; the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 824,513); the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has NFC for contactless payments, the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 doesn't; the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 is noticeably lighter (205g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 824513
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 968
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 2731
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 27W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 54/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 37/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 24/100)
What makes Xiaomi Black Shark 2 better?
- Lighter: 205g vs 235g
- Better display (83/100 vs 82/100)
- Better portability (47/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max vs the Xiaomi Black Shark 2, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 44 points higher (92/100 vs 48/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 54/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 37/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 24/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 (100/100 vs 54/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 (100/100 vs 37/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 (92/100 vs 24/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 is a bit better (47/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | Xiaomi Black Shark 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | |
| AnTuTu | 5001234 | 824513 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4327 | 968 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 12873 | 2731 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 6.4" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1208x2624 | 1080x2340 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | — | |
| Battery | 8500 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 100W | 27W | |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 0W | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 48 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Telephoto | 200 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 50 MP | 20 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 8GB / 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB | |
| OS | Android 17 | Android 9.0 (Pie) | |
| Brightness (peak) | 4000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | no | |
| Protection | IP68/IP69 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | 163.6×75.0×8.8 mm | |
| Weight | 235 g | 205 g | |
| Launch price | $986 | — |
Camera comparison
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
- Main: 48MP f/1.8
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 20MP
Display comparison
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
- 6.4" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Battery and charging
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and Xiaomi Black Shark 2, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Xiaomi Black Shark 2 by 506.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Xiaomi Black Shark 2
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 (100/100 vs 54/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 (100/100 vs 37/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 (92/100 vs 24/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 is a bit better (47/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max or the Xiaomi Black Shark 2?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 by 44 points (92/100 vs 48/100).
What is the rating of the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and the Xiaomi Black Shark 2?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 92/100, the Xiaomi Black Shark 2 — 48/100.
Which has the better camera: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max or the Xiaomi Black Shark 2?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 37/100).
Which is more powerful: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max or the Xiaomi Black Shark 2?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 54/100).
Should you choose the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max over the Xiaomi Black Shark 2?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.