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; launch prices were $1299 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 88/100 vs 84/100 (a 4-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 3,463,142).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Xiaomi 17 Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Lighter: 214g vs 219g
- Better display (88/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 40/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 3463142
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 3601
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 10686
- Bigger battery: 8000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 60W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 96/100)
- Better camera (90/100 vs 86/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 61/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17 Max, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 4 points higher (88/100 vs 84/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100, Xiaomi 17 Max — 90/100; 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 Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (97/100 vs 96/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 81/100). 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 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (90/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 3463142 | 3654776 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 11047 | |
| 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 | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $799 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17 Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2608x1200
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 8000 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by 5.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $500. Xiaomi 17 Max was $500 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (97/100 vs 96/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 81/100).
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 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (90/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 40/100).
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 4 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 84/100, the Xiaomi 17 Max — 88/100.
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, budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.