Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
The Samsung Galaxy S21 (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (2025) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $799 and $892. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads — 87/100 vs 55/100 (a 32-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has the bigger battery (6800 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is faster in AnTuTu (3,950,082 vs 1,081,778); the Samsung Galaxy S21 is noticeably lighter (169g vs 224g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 better?
- Lighter: 169g vs 224g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $892
- Better display (82/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (79/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3950082 vs 1081778
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 6800 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 42/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 31/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) scores 32 points higher (87/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (98/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (87/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (83/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 — 24/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 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 (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (98/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (82/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (87/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (83/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (79/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1081778 | 3950082 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.2" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 6800 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 64 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1300 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 161.5×75.6×7.8 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 169 g | 224 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $892 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 10MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21
- 6.2" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6800 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads Samsung Galaxy S21 by 72.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $93. Samsung Galaxy S21 was $93 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (98/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (82/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (87/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (83/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (79/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 by 32 points (87/100 vs 55/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a MobileRank rating of 55/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on camera score (87/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on performance (98/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.