Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi Mi 9

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Xiaomi Mi 9 (2019) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855; launch prices were $1299 and $400. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 47/100 (a 37-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3300); the main camera is 200 MP vs 48 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 824,513); the Xiaomi Mi 9 is noticeably lighter (173g vs 214g).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 by 37 points (84/100 vs 47/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Performance 96
Display 88
Camera 86
Battery 61
Portability 51
Value for money 76
Xiaomi Mi 9
Performance 54
Display 56
Camera 44
Battery 22
Portability 79
Value for money 32
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 824513
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 968
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 2731
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3300 mAh
  • Faster charging: 60W vs 27W
  • Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
  • Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 20W

  • Higher performance (96/100 vs 54/100)
  • Better camera (86/100 vs 44/100)
  • Longer battery life (61/100 vs 22/100)
  • Better display (88/100 vs 56/100)
What makes Xiaomi Mi 9 better?
  • Lighter: 173g vs 214g
  • Cheaper at launch: $400 vs $1299

  • Better portability (79/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Xiaomi Mi 9, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 37 points higher (84/100 vs 47/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 54/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 44/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 22/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 76/100, Xiaomi Mi 9 — 32/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (96/100 vs 54/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (88/100 vs 56/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (86/100 vs 44/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (61/100 vs 22/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (79/100 vs 51/100).

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.
Xiaomi Mi 9: The Xiaomi Mi 9 is a better fit for everyday use.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Xiaomi Mi 9
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
AnTuTu 3515964 824513
Geekbench Single 3601 968
Geekbench Multi 10686 2731
Display 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.4" AMOLED
Resolution 3120x1440 2340x1080
Refresh rate 120 Hz 60 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 3300 mAh
Charging 60W 27W
Wireless charging 25W 20W
DXOMark (camera) 157
Main camera 200 MP 48 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 16 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 12 MP
Front camera 12 MP 20 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB 6GB / 8GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 64GB / 128GB
OS Android 16 / One UI 8.5 Android 9
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm 157.5×74.7×7.6 mm
Weight 214 g 173 g
Launch price $1299 $400
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 12MP
86
camera
Xiaomi Mi 9
  • Main: 48MP f/1.75
  • Ultrawide: 16MP
  • Telephoto: 12MP
  • Front: 20MP
44
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 3120x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
88
display
Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 6.4" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2340x1080
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
56
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • 5000 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
  • Wired: 60W
  • Wireless: 25W
61
battery
Xiaomi Mi 9
  • 3300 mAh
  • Wired: 27W
  • Wireless: 20W
22
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi Mi 9, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
84/100
3515964 AnTuTu
Xiaomi Mi 9 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
47/100 -326.4%
824513 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Xiaomi Mi 9 by 326.4% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1299
Xiaomi Mi 9
$400

Launch price difference: $899. Xiaomi Mi 9 was $899 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (96/100 vs 54/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (88/100 vs 56/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (86/100 vs 44/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 (61/100 vs 22/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (79/100 vs 51/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi Mi 9?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 by 37 points (84/100 vs 47/100).

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi Mi 9?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Xiaomi Mi 9 — 47/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi Mi 9?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 44/100).

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xiaomi Mi 9?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 54/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Xiaomi Mi 9?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi Mi 9 is a better fit for everyday use.