Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, while the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $699 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads — 88/100 vs 53/100 (a 35-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 4500); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,998,145 vs 1,138,928); the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is noticeably lighter (177g vs 219g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 FE better?
- Lighter: 177g vs 219g
- Cheaper at launch: $699 vs $999
- Better portability (74/100 vs 48/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3998145 vs 1138928
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 3537
- Bigger battery: 7500 vs 4500 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 64/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 26/100)
- Longer battery life (89/100 vs 42/100)
- Better display (81/100 vs 80/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 35 points higher (88/100 vs 53/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (98/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (87/100 vs 26/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 42/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE — 20/100, Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 86/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (98/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE are nearly equal (81/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (87/100 vs 26/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (89/100 vs 42/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (74/100 vs 48/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1138928 | 3998145 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1500 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3537 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4500 mAh | 7500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 159 | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 155.7×74.5×7.9 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 177 g | 219 g | |
| Launch price | $699 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 8MP
- Front: 32MP
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- Main: 50MP f/1.69
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- 6.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- 7500 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 16:28 hrs, total 36:26 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S21 FE by 71.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $300. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was $300 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (98/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE are nearly equal (81/100 vs 80/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (87/100 vs 26/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (89/100 vs 42/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (74/100 vs 48/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE by 35 points (88/100 vs 53/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a MobileRank rating of 53/100, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 88/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (87/100 vs 26/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on performance (98/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE over the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.