Samsung Galaxy M21s vs Xiaomi 17 Max

The Samsung Galaxy M21s (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 45/100 (a 43-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 6000); the main camera is 64 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 M21s doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy M21s is noticeably lighter (191g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21s by 43 points (88/100 vs 45/100).

Profile comparison

Category scores

Samsung Galaxy M21s

Performance 25
Display 83
Camera 48
Battery 51
Portability 55
Value for money —

Xiaomi 17 Max

Performance 97
Display 81
Camera 90
Battery 90
Portability 40
Value for money 90

What makes Samsung Galaxy M21s better?

  • Lighter: 191g vs 219g

  • Better display (83/100 vs 81/100)
  • Better portability (55/100 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 64MP

  • Higher performance (97/100 vs 25/100)
  • Better camera (90/100 vs 48/100)
  • Longer battery life (90/100 vs 51/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy M21s vs the Xiaomi 17 Max, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 43 points higher (88/100 vs 45/100). 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 48/100). 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 M21s (97/100 vs 25/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21s 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 M21s (90/100 vs 48/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21s (90/100 vs 51/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21s notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (55/100 vs 40/100).

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 M21s 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 64 MP 200 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 50 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 50 MP
Front camera 32 MP 32 MP
RAM 4GB / 6GB 12GB / 16GB
Storage 64GB / 128GB 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 10, One UI 2.5 Android 16
Brightness (peak) 420 nits 3500 nits
NFC no yes
Protection — IP68
Dimensions 159.2×75.1×8.9 mm —
Weight 191 g 219 g
Launch price — $799

Camera comparison

Samsung Galaxy M21s

  • Main: 64MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 32MP
48
camera

Xiaomi 17 Max

  • Main: 200MP f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
90
camera

Display comparison

Samsung Galaxy M21s

  • 6.4" Super AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2340
  • Refresh rate: —
83
display

Xiaomi 17 Max

  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2608x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
81
display

Battery and charging

Samsung Galaxy M21s

  • 6000 mAh
  • Wired: 15W
  • No wireless charging
51
battery

Xiaomi 17 Max

  • 8000 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
90
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy M21s and Xiaomi 17 Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy M21s Exynos 9611
45/100
355351 AnTuTu
Xiaomi 17 Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
88/100 +90.3%
3654776 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Max leads Samsung Galaxy M21s by 90.3% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Samsung Galaxy M21s

Price unknown

Xiaomi 17 Max

$799

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21s (97/100 vs 25/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21s 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 M21s (90/100 vs 48/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21s (90/100 vs 51/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21s notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (55/100 vs 40/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M21s or the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21s by 43 points (88/100 vs 45/100).

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M21s and the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Samsung Galaxy M21s has a MobileRank rating of 45/100, the Xiaomi 17 Max — 88/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M21s or the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on camera score (90/100 vs 48/100).

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy M21s or the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 25/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy M21s 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.