Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S21 (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $799 and $986. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 55/100 (a 37-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 12 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 1,081,778); the Samsung Galaxy S21 is noticeably lighter (169g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 better?
- Lighter: 169g vs 235g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $986
- Better portability (79/100 vs 33/100)
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 1081778
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 42/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 31/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 vs the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 37 points higher (92/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 — 24/100, Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 96/100; 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 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (100/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 82/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (100/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (92/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (79/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 1081778 | 5001234 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.2" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1208x2624 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 8500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 64 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1300 nits | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 161.5×75.6×7.8 mm | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 169 g | 235 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $986 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 10MP
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21
- 6.2" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S21 by 78.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $187. Samsung Galaxy S21 was $187 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (100/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 82/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (100/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (92/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (79/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 by 37 points (92/100 vs 55/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a MobileRank rating of 55/100, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 92/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 over the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.