Samsung Galaxy M21 vs Xiaomi 17 Max
The Samsung Galaxy M21 (2020) runs on the Exynos 9611, while the Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 88/100 vs 42/100 (a 46-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 6000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 355,351); the Xiaomi 17 Max has NFC for contactless payments, the Samsung Galaxy M21 doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy M21 is noticeably lighter (188g vs 219g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy M21
Xiaomi 17 Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy M21 better?
- Lighter: 188g vs 219g
- Better display (83/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (57/100 vs 40/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 355351
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 365
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 1107
- Bigger battery: 8000 vs 6000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 15W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 25/100)
- Better camera (90/100 vs 36/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy M21 vs the Xiaomi 17 Max, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 46 points higher (88/100 vs 42/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (97/100 vs 25/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (97/100 vs 25/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 17 Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (90/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (90/100 vs 51/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (57/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M21 | Xiaomi 17 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 9611 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 355351 | 3654776 | |
| Geekbench Single | 365 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1107 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.4" Super AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 2608x1200 | |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 6000 mAh | 8000 mAh | |
| Charging | 15W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 20 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 10.0; One UI 2 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 420 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 159.0×75.1×8.9 mm | — | |
| Weight | 188 g | 219 g | |
| Launch price | — | $799 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21
- Main: 48MP f/2.0
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 20MP
Xiaomi 17 Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6.4" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2608x1200
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6000 mAh
- Wired: 15W
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 8000 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy M21 and Xiaomi 17 Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Max leads Samsung Galaxy M21 by 90.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy M21
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (97/100 vs 25/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 17 Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (90/100 vs 36/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (90/100 vs 51/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (57/100 vs 40/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 by 46 points (88/100 vs 42/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Samsung Galaxy M21 has a MobileRank rating of 42/100, the Xiaomi 17 Max — 88/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on camera score (90/100 vs 36/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 25/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy M21 over the 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.