Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17 Max

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $1299 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 84/100 vs 75/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 5000); the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 3,515,964).

The Xiaomi 17 Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Performance 84
Display 100
Camera 86
Battery 51
Design 32
Value for money 20
Xiaomi 17 Max
Performance 88
Display 100
Camera 90
Battery 83
Design 26
Value for money 55
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
  • Lighter: 214g vs 219g

  • Better design/ergonomics (32/100 vs 26/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 3515964
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 3601
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 10686
  • Bigger battery: 8000 vs 5000 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 60W
  • Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
  • Cheaper: $799 vs $1299

  • Higher performance (88/100 vs 84/100)
  • Better camera (90/100 vs 86/100)
  • Longer battery life (83/100 vs 51/100)
  • Better value for money (55/100 vs 20/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17 Max, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 9 points higher (84/100 vs 75/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (83/100 vs 51/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (55/100 vs 20/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (88/100 vs 84/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (83/100 vs 51/100). In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (32/100 vs 26/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (55/100 vs 20/100).

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.
Xiaomi 17 Max: The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Xiaomi 17 Max
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
AnTuTu 3515964 3654776
Geekbench Single 3601 3640
Geekbench Multi 10686 11033
Display 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
Resolution 3120x1440 2608x1200
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 8000 mAh
Charging 60W 100W
Wireless charging 25W 50W
DXOMark (camera) 157
Main camera 200 MP 200 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 50 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 50 MP
Front camera 12 MP 32 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB 12GB / 16GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 16 / One UI 8.5 Android 16
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits 3500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm
Weight 214 g 219 g
Price $1299 $799
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 12MP
86
camera
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
90
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 3120x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2608x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • 5000 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
  • Wired: 60W
  • Wireless: 25W
51
battery
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 8000 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
83
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
75/100
3515964 AnTuTu
Xiaomi 17 Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
84/100 +3.8%
3654776 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by 3.8% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1299
Xiaomi 17 Max
$799

Price difference: $500. Xiaomi 17 Max is cheaper by $500.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (88/100 vs 84/100).

display

In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 86/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (83/100 vs 51/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (32/100 vs 26/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (55/100 vs 20/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Xiaomi 17 Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Xiaomi 17 Max — 84/100.

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17 Max?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life.