Lava Play Ultra vs Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
The Lava Play Ultra (2025) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $175 and $986. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 53/100 (a 39-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 64 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 879,714); the Lava Play Ultra is noticeably lighter (182g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Lava Play Ultra
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
What makes Lava Play Ultra better?
- Lighter: 182g vs 235g
- Cheaper at launch: $175 vs $986
- Better portability (71/100 vs 33/100)
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 879714
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 1001
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 2918
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 33W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 55/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 39/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 46/100)
- Better display (82/100 vs 79/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Lava Play Ultra vs the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 39 points higher (92/100 vs 53/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 39/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 46/100). Value score: Lava Play Ultra — 74/100, Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 96/100; 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, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (100/100 vs 55/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and the Lava Play Ultra are nearly equal (82/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (100/100 vs 39/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (92/100 vs 46/100). In the "portability" category, the Lava Play Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (71/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Lava Play Ultra | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 879714 | 5001234 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1001 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 2918 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.7" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1208x2624 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 8500 mAh | |
| Charging | 33W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1000 nits | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP64 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 162.1×75.4×7.8 mm | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 182 g | 235 g | |
| Launch price | $175 | $986 |
Camera comparison
Lava Play Ultra
- Main: 64MP
- Front: 13MP
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Lava Play Ultra
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Lava Play Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 33W
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Lava Play Ultra and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Lava Play Ultra by 82.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $811. Lava Play Ultra was $811 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (100/100 vs 55/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and the Lava Play Ultra are nearly equal (82/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (100/100 vs 39/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (92/100 vs 46/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Lava Play Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (71/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Lava Play Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra by 39 points (92/100 vs 53/100).
What is the rating of the Lava Play Ultra and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Lava Play Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 53/100, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 92/100.
Which has the better camera: the Lava Play Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 39/100).
Which is more powerful: the Lava Play Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 55/100).
Should you choose the Lava Play Ultra over the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
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.