Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $799 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads — 89/100 vs 74/100 (a 15-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 4000); the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,600,724 vs 2,827,538); per DXOMark lab testing, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the stronger camera (166 vs 146); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 226g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Lighter: 162g vs 226g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Better portability (89/100 vs 40/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3600724 vs 2827538
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 2880
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 9100
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 15W
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 89/100)
- Better camera (93/100 vs 77/100)
- Longer battery life (80/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 81/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra scores 15 points higher (89/100 vs 74/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (93/100 vs 77/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (80/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 — 62/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 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 is a bit better (97/100 vs 89/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (93/100 vs 77/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (80/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (89/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2600 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2827538 | 3600724 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2880 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9100 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 3200x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 6000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 146 | 166 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 162 g | 226 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.63
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 16:09 hrs, total 33:23 hrs
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S26 by 21.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (97/100 vs 89/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (93/100 vs 77/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (80/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (89/100 vs 40/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S26 — the overall rating gap is 15 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a MobileRank rating of 74/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on camera score (93/100 vs 77/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on performance (97/100 vs 89/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.