Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $1299 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads — 89/100 vs 80/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 5567); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,600,724 vs 3,551,073); the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is noticeably lighter (226g vs 249g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 3639
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 11047
- Overall rating 80/100
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3600724 vs 3551073
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 5567 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 60W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Lighter: 226g vs 249g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1299
- Better camera (93/100 vs 71/100)
- Longer battery life (80/100 vs 67/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (40/100 vs 27/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra scores 9 points higher (89/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (93/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (80/100 vs 67/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 70/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 88/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, both devices are on the same level — 97/100. In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (93/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (80/100 vs 67/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (40/100 vs 27/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 3551073 | 3600724 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4612 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 11819 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1320x2868 | 3200x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5567 mAh | 6000 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 166 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 27 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 249 g | 226 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.48
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.63
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1320x2868
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5567 mAh
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 16:09 hrs, total 33:23 hrs
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by 1.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $300. Xiaomi 17 Ultra was $300 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, both devices are on the same level — 97/100.
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (93/100 vs 71/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (80/100 vs 67/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (40/100 vs 27/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra edges out the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 80/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on camera score (93/100 vs 71/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.