Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $1299 and $986. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 84/100 (a 8-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 5000); the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 3,463,142); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably lighter (214g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Lighter: 214g vs 235g
- Better display (88/100 vs 82/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 33/100)
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 3463142
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 3601
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 10686
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 60W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $986 vs $1299
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 96/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 86/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 61/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 8 points higher (92/100 vs 84/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100, Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 96/100; 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 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (100/100 vs 96/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a bit better (100/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (92/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (51/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 3463142 | 5001234 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 1208x2624 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 8500 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 | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 214 g | 235 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $986 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- 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 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by 30.8% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $313. Xiaomi 18 Pro Max was $313 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (100/100 vs 96/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a bit better (100/100 vs 86/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (92/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (51/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 92/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 86/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.