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 — 89/100 vs 57/100 (a 32-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 (3,667,711 vs 1,017,773); the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is noticeably lighter (200g vs 226g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21+ better?
- Lighter: 200g vs 226g
- Better portability (60/100 vs 40/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3667711 vs 1017773
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 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 (97/100 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)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra scores 32 points higher (89/100 vs 57/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (97/100 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). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21+ — 24/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 88/100; 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 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (97/100 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).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21+ | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1017773 | 3667711 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 11047 | |
| 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 |
Camera comparison
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
Display comparison
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
Battery and charging
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
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S21+ by 72.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (97/100 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).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ by 32 points (89/100 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 — 89/100.
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 (97/100 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.