Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $999 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads — 90/100 vs 57/100 (a 33-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 4800); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,998,145 vs 1,017,773); the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is noticeably lighter (200g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ by 33 points (90/100 vs 57/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Performance 62
Display 79
Camera 42
Battery 48
Portability 60
Value for money 26
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
Performance 98
Display 91
Camera 87
Battery 89
Portability 48
Value for money 92
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21+ better?
  • Lighter: 200g vs 219g

  • Better portability (60/100 vs 48/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro Max better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3998145 vs 1017773
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 1435
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 3555
  • Bigger battery: 7500 vs 4800 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 2160Hz vs 120Hz
  • Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W

  • Higher performance (98/100 vs 62/100)
  • Better camera (87/100 vs 42/100)
  • Longer battery life (89/100 vs 48/100)
  • Better display (91/100 vs 79/100)
  • Better value for money (92/100 vs 26/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 33 points higher (90/100 vs 57/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (98/100 vs 62/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (87/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 48/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 26/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (98/100 vs 62/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a bit better (91/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (87/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (89/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a bit better (60/100 vs 48/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (92/100 vs 26/100).

Samsung Galaxy S21+: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a better fit for active users.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: 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.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy S21+ Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
Processor Samsung Exynos 2100 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
AnTuTu 1017773 3998145
Geekbench Single 1435 3640
Geekbench Multi 3555 11033
Display 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
Resolution 2400x1080 1200x2608
Refresh rate 120 Hz 2160 Hz
Battery 4800 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 64 MP 50 MP
Front camera 10 MP 50 MP
RAM 8GB 12GB / 16GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB 512GB / 1TB
OS Android 11 Android 16, HyperOS 3
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits
NFC yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm
Weight 200 g 219 g
Launch price $999 $999
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21+
  • Main: 12MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 64MP
  • Front: 10MP
42
camera
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
87
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21+
  • 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 2400x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1200x2608
  • Refresh rate: 2160 Hz
91
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21+
  • 4800 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 15W
48
battery
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
  • 7500 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 16:28 hrs, total 36:26 hrs
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
89
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy S21+ Samsung Exynos 2100
57/100
1017773 AnTuTu
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
90/100 +74.5%
3998145 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S21+ by 74.5% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy S21+
$999
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
$999

Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (98/100 vs 62/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a bit better (91/100 vs 79/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (87/100 vs 42/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (89/100 vs 48/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a bit better (60/100 vs 48/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (92/100 vs 26/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ by 33 points (90/100 vs 57/100).

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ and the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a MobileRank rating of 57/100, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 90/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (87/100 vs 42/100).

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on performance (98/100 vs 62/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ over the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 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.