Samsung Galaxy M21 vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
The Samsung Galaxy M21 (2020) runs on the Exynos 9611, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (2025) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads — 87/100 vs 42/100 (a 45-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has the bigger battery (6800 mAh vs 6000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is faster in AnTuTu (3,950,082 vs 355,351); the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has NFC for contactless payments, the Samsung Galaxy M21 doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy M21 is noticeably lighter (188g vs 224g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy M21
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
What makes Samsung Galaxy M21 better?
- Lighter: 188g vs 224g
- Better display (83/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (57/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3950082 vs 355351
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 365
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 1107
- Bigger battery: 6800 vs 6000 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 15W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 25/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 36/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy M21 vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) scores 45 points higher (87/100 vs 42/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (98/100 vs 25/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (87/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (83/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (98/100 vs 25/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (87/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (83/100 vs 51/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (57/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M21 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 9611 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 355351 | 3950082 | |
| Geekbench Single | 365 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1107 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.4" Super AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 6000 mAh | 6800 mAh | |
| Charging | 15W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 20 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 10.0; One UI 2 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 420 nits | — | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 159.0×75.1×8.9 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 188 g | 224 g | |
| Launch price | — | $892 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21
- Main: 48MP f/2.0
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 20MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6.4" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6000 mAh
- Wired: 15W
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6800 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy M21 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads Samsung Galaxy M21 by 91.0% 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 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (98/100 vs 25/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (87/100 vs 36/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (83/100 vs 51/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (57/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 by 45 points (87/100 vs 42/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Samsung Galaxy M21 has a MobileRank rating of 42/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on camera score (87/100 vs 36/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on performance (98/100 vs 25/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy M21 over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.