Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17T
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Xiaomi 17T (2026) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra; launch prices were $1299 and $449. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 71/100 (a 13-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17T has the bigger battery (6500 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 2,026,828); the Xiaomi 17T is noticeably lighter (185g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Xiaomi 17T
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 2026828
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1555
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 6405
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 76/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 63/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17T better?
- Bigger battery: 6500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 67W vs 60W
- Lighter: 185g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $449 vs $1299
- Longer battery life (63/100 vs 61/100)
- Better portability (74/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 17T, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 13 points higher (84/100 vs 71/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 76/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 63/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100, Xiaomi 17T — 66/100; 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 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17T (96/100 vs 76/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17T are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17T (86/100 vs 63/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17T and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (63/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17T notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (74/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Xiaomi 17T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra | |
| AnTuTu | 3463142 | 2026828 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 1555 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 6405 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.6" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 2756x1268 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 6500 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 67W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 0W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | — | |
| Weight | 214 g | 185 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $449 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17T
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17T
- 6.6" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2756x1268
- 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 17T
- 6500 mAh
- Wired: 67W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17T, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Xiaomi 17T by 70.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $850. Xiaomi 17T was $850 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17T (96/100 vs 76/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17T are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17T (86/100 vs 63/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17T and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (63/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 17T notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (74/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17T?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Xiaomi 17T — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 17T?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Xiaomi 17T — 71/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17T?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 63/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 17T?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 76/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Xiaomi 17T?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi 17T is a better fit for active users.