Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $999 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads — 88/100 vs 57/100 (a 31-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 4800); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,593,401 vs 1,017,773); the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is noticeably lighter (200g vs 226g).
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Lighter: 200g vs 226g
- Better portability (60/100 vs 40/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3593401 vs 1017773
- Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 4800 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 62/100)
- Better camera (93/100 vs 42/100)
- Longer battery life (80/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)
- Better value for money (88/100 vs 26/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra scores 31 points higher (88/100 vs 57/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 62/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (93/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (80/100 vs 48/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (88/100 vs 26/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (96/100 vs 62/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (93/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (80/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (60/100 vs 40/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (88/100 vs 26/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21+ | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1017773 | 3593401 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 3640 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 11033 | |
| Display | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 3200x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4800 mAh | 6000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 166 | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 64 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | — | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | — | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 200 g | 226 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $999 |
Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 10MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.63
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 32MP
Samsung Galaxy S21+
- 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S21+
- 4800 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 16:09 hrs, total 33:23 hrs
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S21+ by 71.7% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (96/100 vs 62/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (93/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (80/100 vs 48/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (60/100 vs 40/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (88/100 vs 26/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ by 31 points (88/100 vs 57/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a MobileRank rating of 57/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 88/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on camera score (93/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 62/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.