Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (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 $1199 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads — 88/100 vs 61/100 (a 27-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 108 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,998,145 vs 1,074,182); per DXOMark lab testing, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the stronger camera (159 vs 117).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 108MP vs 50MP
- Better display (89/100 vs 81/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3998145 vs 1074182
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 7500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Lighter: 219g vs 228g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1199
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 55/100)
- Longer battery life (89/100 vs 52/100)
- Better portability (48/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 27 points higher (88/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (98/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (87/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 52/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — 32/100, 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 Ultra (98/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (87/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (89/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (48/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1074182 | 3998145 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3200x1440 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 117 | 159 | |
| Main camera | 108 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 40 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1500 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 165.1×75.6×8.9 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 228 g | 219 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Main: 108MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 40MP
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- Main: 50MP f/1.69
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 5000 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 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 73.1% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Xiaomi 17 Pro Max was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (98/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (87/100 vs 55/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (89/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (48/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 27 points (88/100 vs 61/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 61/100, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 88/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (87/100 vs 55/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on performance (98/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 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.