Redmi Note 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Redmi Note 17 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 4, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $185 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 50/100 (a 34-point difference). Key differences: the Redmi Note 17 has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 593,849).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Redmi Note 17
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Redmi Note 17 better?
- Bigger battery: 8000 vs 5000 mAh
- Cheaper at launch: $185 vs $1299
- Longer battery life (64/100 vs 61/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 593849
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 952
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 2328
- Faster charging: 60W vs 45W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 225g
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 48/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 30/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 78/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 41/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Redmi Note 17 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 34 points higher (84/100 vs 50/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 48/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 30/100). Value score: Redmi Note 17 — 64/100, 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 Note 17 (96/100 vs 48/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 78/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 17 (86/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Redmi Note 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (64/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 41/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Redmi Note 17 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 593849 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 952 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 2328 | 10686 | |
| Display | 7.0" OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1080x2396 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 8000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1800 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP65 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 169.7×79.1×8.3 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 225 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $185 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Redmi Note 17
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Front: 8MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Redmi Note 17
- 7.0" OLED
- Resolution: 1080x2396
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Redmi Note 17
- 8000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- 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 Note 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Redmi Note 17 by 82.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1114. Redmi Note 17 was $1114 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 17 (96/100 vs 48/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 78/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 17 (86/100 vs 30/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Redmi Note 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (64/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 41/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Redmi Note 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 17 by 34 points (84/100 vs 50/100).
What is the rating of the Redmi Note 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Redmi Note 17 has a MobileRank rating of 50/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Redmi Note 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 30/100).
Which is more powerful: the Redmi Note 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 48/100).
Should you choose the Redmi Note 17 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.