Samsung Galaxy A21s vs Xiaomi 17 Max

The Samsung Galaxy A21s (2020) runs on the Exynos 850, while the Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $215 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 88/100 vs 29/100 (a 59-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 234,339); the Samsung Galaxy A21s is noticeably lighter (192g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s by 59 points (88/100 vs 29/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A21s
Performance 16
Display 32
Camera 30
Battery 52
Portability 55
Value for money 18
Xiaomi 17 Max
Performance 97
Display 81
Camera 90
Battery 90
Portability 40
Value for money 88
What makes Samsung Galaxy A21s better?
  • Lighter: 192g vs 219g
  • Cheaper at launch: $215 vs $799

  • Better portability (55/100 vs 40/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 234339
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 300
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 836
  • Bigger battery: 8000 vs 5000 mAh
  • Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz

  • Higher performance (97/100 vs 16/100)
  • Better camera (90/100 vs 30/100)
  • Longer battery life (90/100 vs 52/100)
  • Better display (81/100 vs 32/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A21s vs the Xiaomi 17 Max, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 59 points higher (88/100 vs 29/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (97/100 vs 16/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 52/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A21s — 18/100, Xiaomi 17 Max — 88/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (97/100 vs 16/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (81/100 vs 32/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (90/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (90/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A21s notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (55/100 vs 40/100).

Samsung Galaxy A21s: The Samsung Galaxy A21s is a better fit for everyday use.
Xiaomi 17 Max: The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy A21s Xiaomi 17 Max
Processor Exynos 850 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
AnTuTu 234339 3654776
Geekbench Single 300 3640
Geekbench Multi 836 11033
Display 6.5" IPS LCD 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
Resolution 2608x1200
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 8000 mAh
Charging 100W
Wireless charging 0W 50W
Main camera 48 MP 200 MP
Ultrawide 0 MP 50 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 50 MP
Front camera 13 MP 32 MP
RAM 3GB / 4GB / 6GB 12GB / 16GB
Storage 32GB / 64GB 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 16
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 163.7×75.3×8.9 mm
Weight 192 g 219 g
Launch price $215 $799
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A21s
  • Main: 48MP
  • Front: 13MP
30
camera
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
90
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A21s
  • 6.5" IPS LCD
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
32
display
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2608x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
81
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A21s
  • 5000 mAh
  • No wireless charging
52
battery
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 8000 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
90
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy A21s and Xiaomi 17 Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy A21s Exynos 850
29/100
234339 AnTuTu
Xiaomi 17 Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
88/100 +93.6%
3654776 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Max leads Samsung Galaxy A21s by 93.6% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy A21s
$215
Xiaomi 17 Max
$799

Launch price difference: $584. Samsung Galaxy A21s was $584 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (97/100 vs 16/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (81/100 vs 32/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (90/100 vs 30/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (90/100 vs 52/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A21s notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (55/100 vs 40/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A21s or the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s by 59 points (88/100 vs 29/100).

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A21s and the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Samsung Galaxy A21s has a MobileRank rating of 29/100, the Xiaomi 17 Max — 88/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A21s or the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on camera score (90/100 vs 30/100).

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A21s or the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 16/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A21s over the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Samsung Galaxy A21s is a better fit for everyday use. The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.