Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) vs Apple iPhone Air (1TB)
Side by side comparison between Xiaomi Black Shark Helo vs Apple iPhone Air phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.01"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2160
12
MP
MP
20mp
10GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.5"
OLED
OLED
1260x2736
48
MP
MP
18mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3149
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Apple iPhone Air (1TB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
5 Advantages 
33 Advantages | 20 Common items in both devices |
| Dual-LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Capacitive |
| Multitouch |
| Accelerometer |
| +13 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Model | Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) |
| Other model names | 黑鲨游戏手机 Helo (256GB + 10GB RAM), AWM-A0 | iPhone 17 Air (A3260, A3517, A3518) |
| Country or region available |  China |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Xiaomi | Apple |
| Release date | 11/10/2018 | 9/19/2025, Announced: 9/9/2025 |
| Depth | 8.7 millimeters (0.34 inches) | 5.6 millimeters (0.22 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.25 x 160 millimeters (2.96 x 6.3 in) | 74.7 x 156.2 millimeters (2.94 x 6.15 in) |
| Weight | 190 grams (6.65 ounces) | 165 grams (5.78 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front | Titanium frame, glass front and back Back: Ceramic Shield |
| Protection against water and others | Not supported | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Display type | AMOLED | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Screen size | 6.01" inches | 6.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~77.4% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~88.8% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2160 pixels (18:9) | 1260x2736 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 402 PPI | 463 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 1 billion |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Not supported | Ceramic Shield 2 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 430nits[typ] HDR8 | 1000nits[typ], 3000nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Always-On Display Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| System version | Android 8.0 Oreo | iOS 26 |
| Firmware update | Android 9.0 Pie | feature not registered |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 MSM8998 (10nm) | 64bit: Apple A19 Pro (3nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.8GHz Kryo 385 Gold (Quad-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 385 Silver (Quad-core) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 4.26GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.2GHz E-Core (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 630 710Mhz | A19 Pro GPU (5-core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 2000993 (v10) Geekbench: 9682 (v6.5) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| RAM memory | 10GB LPDDR4X | 12GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal storage | 256GB (240GB available) UFS 2.1 | 1TB (960GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | e-SIM (Eletronic) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 600/50 Mbps | 5000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat12 (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) | LTE Cat20 VoLTE A3517 (International): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 53, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) A3260 (USA): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 53, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) A3518 (Canada, Mexico, EMEA): LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 53, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | A3517 (International): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79) A3260 (USA): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79) A3518 (Canada, Mexico, EMEA): SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6, mmWave |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 20MP telephoto f/1.81.0µm2x-optical-zoom | 48 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 8000x6000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.6 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/2.9" inches | 1/1.56" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.25µm pixel | 1µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization on both cameras |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Not supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | feature not registered | 4K@24/25/30/60fps 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps Dolby Vision (60fps) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 20 megapixels | (dual front camera) 18 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D |
| Front camera resolution | 5952x3348 pixels | 5184x3456 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/1.9 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Sensor size | 1/2.8" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Supported | Mono sound (not stereo) Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector |
| Audio output | Type-C jack with 3.5mm jack adapter | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | Not supported | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 6.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be [wifi7/6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC |
| NFC | Not supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 3D Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 3149 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 18W (9V/2A) Wired fast charging Quick Charge 3 | 30W Wired fast charging 4.5W Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Not supported | 25W Qi2 wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Black • 100% DCI-P3 coverage display • Left and right game pad included | • Colors: Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, Sky Blue Apple Intelligence • Apple Pay • Face ID • MagSafe |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Xiaomi Black Shark Helo (256GB) | iPhone Air (1TB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |