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Xiaomi Black Shark global website now live, European launch incoming?
- Xiaomi has quietly launched a global website for the Black Shark phone.
- The website launch suggests that a wider release is on the cards.
- MyDrivers reports that the gaming phone will come to Europe first.
The Xiaomi Black Shark is one of many gaming smartphones launched in 2018 thus far, offering the usual gaming trappings. That means a powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset, a button to enable performance mode, and an optional gamepad attachment.
It’s largely been restricted to China, but MyDrivers (h/t: Gizmochina) has spotted a Black Shark global website (global.blackshark.com). “Sharks approaching. Unleashing soon,” reads a tagline on the site.
The global website doesn’t provide much else, save for an email sign-up form and a few media quotes about the phone. Nevertheless, the device is expected to land in Europe first, MyDrivers said, citing company insiders.
If confirmed, it would be the latest gaming phone to see a wider release, following in the footsteps of the ASUS ROG Phone. The Xiaomi Black Shark doesn’t have the ROG Phone’s ultrasonic shoulder buttons or overclocked chipset, but it’s still a pretty handy gaming-focused device.
The Black Shark offers the aforementioned Snapdragon 845 (with liquid cooling), 6GB to 8GB of RAM, 64GB to 128GB of storage, and a 6-inch full HD+ LCD screen. Other noteworthy details include a 4,000mAh battery, a 12MP+20MP telephoto combo on the back, a 20MP selfie snapper, and a front-mounted fingerprint scanner. You’ll need to use a 3.5mm to Type-C adapter or Bluetooth, however, as the phone lacks a headphone jack.
Global pricing is still up in the air, but the phone’s starting price in China was 2,999 yuan (~$433). This is more expensive than the similarly powerful POCOphone F1 (~$300), but you’re getting a different design, higher resolution cameras, and a button to activate gaming mode. It’s cheaper than most other Snapdragon 845 phones though, so you might want to keep an eye on this device…
Would you buy the Black Shark over other flagships? Let us know in the comments!