Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Xiaomi 17 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $1199 and $709. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 leads — 87/100 vs 61/100 (a 26-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 has the bigger battery (7000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 108 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 is faster in AnTuTu (3,207,732 vs 1,074,182); the Xiaomi 17 is noticeably lighter (191g vs 228g).
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Xiaomi 17
- Better main camera: 108MP vs 50MP
- Better display (89/100 vs 85/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3207732 vs 1074182
- Better Geekbench Single: 3566 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10162 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 7000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Lighter: 191g vs 228g
- Cheaper at launch: $709 vs $1199
- Higher performance (95/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (81/100 vs 55/100)
- Longer battery life (87/100 vs 52/100)
- Better portability (63/100 vs 33/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17, the Xiaomi 17 scores 26 points higher (87/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (95/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (81/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (87/100 vs 52/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — 32/100, Xiaomi 17 — 86/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (95/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (81/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (87/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (63/100 vs 33/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1074182 | 3207732 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 3566 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 10162 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.3" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3200x1440 | 2656x1200 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 117 | — | |
| 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 | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 16 / HyperOS 3 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1500 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 165.1×75.6×8.9 mm | 151.1×71.8×8.1 mm | |
| Weight | 228 g | 191 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $709 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Main: 108MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 40MP
Xiaomi 17
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17
- 6.3" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2656x1200
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 17
- 7000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 15:00 hrs, total 33:58 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Xiaomi 17, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 leads Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 66.5% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $490. Xiaomi 17 was $490 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (95/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (81/100 vs 55/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (87/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (63/100 vs 33/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 26 points (87/100 vs 61/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 61/100, the Xiaomi 17 — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Xiaomi 17 leads on camera score (81/100 vs 55/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Xiaomi 17 leads on performance (95/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.