Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $1199 and $986. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 71/100 (a 21-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 5000); the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 1,762,339).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra better?
- Lighter: 234g vs 235g
- Better display (88/100 vs 82/100)
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 1762339
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 5311
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 45W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Cheaper at launch: $986 vs $1199
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 76/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 56/100)
- Better portability (33/100 vs 29/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 21 points higher (92/100 vs 71/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 76/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 56/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — 52/100, 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 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (100/100 vs 76/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (100/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (92/100 vs 56/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are nearly equal (33/100 vs 29/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 1762339 | 5001234 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2004 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 5311 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1208x2624 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 8500 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 140 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1750 nits | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.1×8.9 mm | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 234 g | 235 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $986 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3088
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by 64.8% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $213. Xiaomi 18 Pro Max was $213 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (100/100 vs 76/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (100/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (92/100 vs 56/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are nearly equal (33/100 vs 29/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by 21 points (92/100 vs 71/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 71/100, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 92/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 76/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra over the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 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.