Redmi 17C vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Redmi 17C (2026) runs on the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $100 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 32/100 (a 52-point difference). Key differences: the Redmi 17C has the bigger battery (5160 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 13 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 358,608); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Redmi 17C doesn't.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Redmi 17C
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Redmi 17C better?
- Bigger battery: 5160 vs 5000 mAh
- Lighter: 206g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $100 vs $1299
- Better portability (53/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 358608
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 432
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 1416
- Faster charging: 60W vs 18W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 13MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 30/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 10/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 46/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 55/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Redmi 17C vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 52 points higher (84/100 vs 32/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 30/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 46/100). Value score: Redmi 17C — 52/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 17C (96/100 vs 30/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 17C (88/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 17C (86/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Redmi 17C (61/100 vs 46/100). In the "portability" category, the Redmi 17C and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (53/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Redmi 17C | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 358608 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 432 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1416 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.9" IPS LCD | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 720x1640 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5160 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 18W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 13 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 5 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 600 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | IP64 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 171.6×79.5×8.2 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 206 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $100 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Redmi 17C
- Main: 13MP f/2.2
- Front: 5MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Redmi 17C
- 6.9" IPS LCD
- Resolution: 720x1640
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Redmi 17C
- 5160 mAh
- Wired: 18W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Redmi 17C and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Redmi 17C by 89.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1199. Redmi 17C was $1199 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 17C (96/100 vs 30/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 17C (88/100 vs 55/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 17C (86/100 vs 10/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Redmi 17C (61/100 vs 46/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Redmi 17C and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (53/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Redmi 17C or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 17C by 52 points (84/100 vs 32/100).
What is the rating of the Redmi 17C and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Redmi 17C has a MobileRank rating of 32/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Redmi 17C or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 10/100).
Which is more powerful: the Redmi 17C or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 30/100).
Should you choose the Redmi 17C over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.