Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $1299 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads — 84/100 vs 75/100 (a 9-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 3,515,964); per DXOMark lab testing, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the stronger camera (159 vs 157).
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 219g
- Better design/ergonomics (32/100 vs 26/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3998145 vs 3515964
- Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 3601
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 10686
- Bigger battery: 7500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 60W
- Higher refresh rate: 2160Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Cheaper: $999 vs $1299
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 84/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 86/100)
- Longer battery life (82/100 vs 51/100)
- Better value for money (41/100 vs 20/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 9 points higher (84/100 vs 75/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (82/100 vs 51/100). In the "value for money" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (41/100 vs 20/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a bit better (92/100 vs 84/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (87/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (82/100 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 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (41/100 vs 20/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 3515964 | 3998145 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 3640 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 11033 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 2160 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7500 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | 159 | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 16, HyperOS 3 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 214 g | 219 g | |
| Price | $1299 | $999 |
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 2160 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
- 7500 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 16:28 hrs, total 36:26 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by 12.1% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $300. Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is cheaper by $300.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a bit better (92/100 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 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (87/100 vs 86/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (82/100 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 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (41/100 vs 20/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro 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 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max — 84/100.
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on performance (92/100 vs 84/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life.