Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Xiaomi 17 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $1299 and $709. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 leads — 87/100 vs 84/100 (a 3-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 has the bigger battery (7000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 3,248,535); the Xiaomi 17 is noticeably lighter (191g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Xiaomi 17
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 3248535
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3566
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 10162
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 95/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 81/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 better?
- Bigger battery: 7000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 60W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Lighter: 191g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $709 vs $1299
- Longer battery life (87/100 vs 61/100)
- Better portability (63/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17, the Xiaomi 17 scores 3 points higher (87/100 vs 84/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (87/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100, Xiaomi 17 — 88/100; 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (96/100 vs 95/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 81/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (87/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 is a bit better (63/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Xiaomi 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 3463142 | 3248535 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 3566 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 10162 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.3" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 2656x1200 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7000 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | — | |
| 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 | 256GB / 512GB | |
| 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 | 151.1×71.8×8.1 mm | |
| Weight | 214 g | 191 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $709 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17
- 6.3" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2656x1200
- 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
- 7000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 15:00 hrs, total 33:58 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Xiaomi 17 by 6.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $590. Xiaomi 17 was $590 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (96/100 vs 95/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 81/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (87/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17 is a bit better (63/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Xiaomi 17 edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Xiaomi 17 — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 81/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi 17 is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.