Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
The Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (2025) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $799 and $892. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads — 87/100 vs 74/100 (a 13-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has the bigger battery (6800 mAh vs 4000); the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is faster in AnTuTu (3,950,082 vs 2,827,538); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 224g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Lighter: 162g vs 224g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $892
- Better portability (89/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3950082 vs 2827538
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 2880
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 9100
- Bigger battery: 6800 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 89/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 77/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 31/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) scores 13 points higher (87/100 vs 74/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (87/100 vs 77/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (83/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 — 62/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 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 Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (98/100 vs 89/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 81/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (87/100 vs 77/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (83/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (89/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2600 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2827538 | 3950082 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2880 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9100 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 6800 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 146 | — | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 162 g | 224 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $892 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6800 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads Samsung Galaxy S26 by 28.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $93. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $93 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (98/100 vs 89/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 81/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a bit better (87/100 vs 77/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (83/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (89/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S26 — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a MobileRank rating of 74/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on camera score (87/100 vs 77/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on performance (98/100 vs 89/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.