Samsung Galaxy M21 vs Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy M21 (2020) runs on the Exynos 9611, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 42/100 (a 50-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 6000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 355,351); the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has NFC for contactless payments, the Samsung Galaxy M21 doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy M21 is noticeably lighter (188g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy M21
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy M21 better?
- Lighter: 188g vs 235g
- Better display (83/100 vs 82/100)
- Better portability (57/100 vs 33/100)
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 355351
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 365
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 1107
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 6000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 15W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 25/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 36/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy M21 vs the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 50 points higher (92/100 vs 42/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 25/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (100/100 vs 25/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (100/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (92/100 vs 51/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (57/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M21 | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 9611 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 355351 | 5001234 | |
| Geekbench Single | 365 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1107 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.4" Super AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1208x2624 | |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 6000 mAh | 8500 mAh | |
| Charging | 15W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 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 | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 10.0; One UI 2 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 420 nits | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 159.0×75.1×8.9 mm | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 188 g | 235 g | |
| Launch price | — | $986 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21
- Main: 48MP f/2.0
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 20MP
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6.4" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6000 mAh
- Wired: 15W
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy M21 and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy M21 by 92.9% 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 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (100/100 vs 25/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (100/100 vs 36/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (92/100 vs 51/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (57/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 by 50 points (92/100 vs 42/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy M21 has a MobileRank rating of 42/100, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 92/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 36/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 25/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy M21 over the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.