Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 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 70/100 (a 18-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,998,145 vs 1,684,869); per DXOMark lab testing, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the stronger camera (159 vs 140); the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is noticeably lighter (219g vs 234g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Better display (88/100 vs 81/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3998145 vs 1684869
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 5311
- Bigger battery: 7500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 45W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Lighter: 219g vs 234g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1199
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (89/100 vs 56/100)
- Better portability (48/100 vs 29/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 18 points higher (88/100 vs 70/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (98/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (87/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 56/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — 50/100, 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 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (98/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a bit better (87/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (89/100 vs 56/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (48/100 vs 29/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1684869 | 3998145 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2004 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 5311 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7500 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 140 | 159 | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1750 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.1×8.9 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 234 g | 219 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- Main: 50MP f/1.69
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3088
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- 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 S23 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by 57.9% 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 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (98/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a bit better (87/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (89/100 vs 56/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (48/100 vs 29/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — the overall rating gap is 18 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 70/100, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 88/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (87/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on performance (98/100 vs 75/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 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.