Samsung Galaxy S9 vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (2018) runs on the Samsung Exynos 9810, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (2025) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $720 and $892. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads — 87/100 vs 32/100 (a 55-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has the bigger battery (6800 mAh vs 3000); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is faster in AnTuTu (3,950,082 vs 594,285); the Samsung Galaxy S9 is noticeably lighter (163g vs 224g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S9
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S9 better?
- Lighter: 163g vs 224g
- Cheaper at launch: $720 vs $892
- Better portability (76/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3950082 vs 594285
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 744
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 1863
- Bigger battery: 6800 vs 3000 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 43/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 10/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 15/100)
- Better display (81/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S9 vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) scores 55 points higher (87/100 vs 32/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (98/100 vs 43/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (87/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (83/100 vs 15/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S9 — 0/100, 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) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (98/100 vs 43/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (81/100 vs 51/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (87/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (83/100 vs 15/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S9 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (76/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S9 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 9810 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 594285 | 3950082 | |
| Geekbench Single | 744 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1863 | 11047 | |
| Display | 5.8" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | — | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3000 mAh | 6800 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | — | 50W | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | — | Android 16 | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 158.1×73.8×8.5 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 163 g | 224 g | |
| Launch price | $720 | $892 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S9
- Main: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S9
- 5.8" AMOLED
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S9
- 3000 mAh
- Wireless: supported, wattage unknown
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6800 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S9 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads Samsung Galaxy S9 by 85.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $172. Samsung Galaxy S9 was $172 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (98/100 vs 43/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (81/100 vs 51/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (87/100 vs 10/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (83/100 vs 15/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S9 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (76/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 by 55 points (87/100 vs 32/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a MobileRank rating of 32/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on camera score (87/100 vs 10/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on performance (98/100 vs 43/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S9 over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
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.