Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17 Max
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $1199 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 84/100 vs 37/100 (a 47-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 108 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 1,074,182).
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Xiaomi 17 Max
- Overall rating 37/100
- Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 1074182
- Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 8000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 108MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Lighter: 219g vs 228g
- Cheaper: $799 vs $1199
- Higher performance (88/100 vs 10/100)
- Better camera (90/100 vs 55/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 40/100)
- Better design/ergonomics (26/100 vs 15/100)
- Better value for money (55/100 vs 27/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17 Max, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 47 points higher (84/100 vs 37/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (88/100 vs 10/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (83/100 vs 40/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (55/100 vs 27/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (88/100 vs 10/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (90/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (83/100 vs 40/100). In the "design" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max is a bit better (26/100 vs 15/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (55/100 vs 27/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1074182 | 3654776 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 3640 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 11033 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3200x1440 | 2608x1200 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 8000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 117 | — | |
| Main camera | 108 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 40 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | — | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Weight | 228 g | 219 g | |
| Price | $1199 | $799 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Main: 108MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 40MP
Xiaomi 17 Max
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2608x1200
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 8000 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Max leads Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 70.6% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $400. Xiaomi 17 Max is cheaper by $400.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (88/100 vs 10/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (90/100 vs 55/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (83/100 vs 40/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max is a bit better (26/100 vs 15/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (55/100 vs 27/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 47 points (84/100 vs 37/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 37/100, the Xiaomi 17 Max — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on camera score (90/100 vs 55/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (88/100 vs 10/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17 Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a better fit for everyday use. The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life.