Samsung Galaxy S9 vs Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (2018) runs on the Samsung Exynos 9810, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $720 and $986. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 32/100 (a 60-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 3000); the main camera is 12 MP vs 200 MP; the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 594,285); the Samsung Galaxy S9 is noticeably lighter (163g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S9
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
What makes Samsung Galaxy S9 better?
- Lighter: 163g vs 235g
- Cheaper at launch: $720 vs $986
- Better portability (76/100 vs 33/100)
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 594285
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 744
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 1863
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 3000 mAh
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 12MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 43/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 10/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 15/100)
- Better display (82/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S9 vs the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 60 points higher (92/100 vs 32/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 43/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 15/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S9 — 0/100, 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 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (100/100 vs 43/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (82/100 vs 51/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (100/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (92/100 vs 15/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S9 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (76/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S9 | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 9810 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 594285 | 5001234 | |
| Geekbench Single | 744 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1863 | 12873 | |
| Display | 5.8" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | — | 1208x2624 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3000 mAh | 8500 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | — | 50W | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 200 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 | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | — | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 158.1×73.8×8.5 mm | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 163 g | 235 g | |
| Launch price | $720 | $986 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S9
- Main: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S9
- 5.8" AMOLED
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S9
- 3000 mAh
- Wireless: supported, wattage unknown
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S9 and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S9 by 88.1% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $266. Samsung Galaxy S9 was $266 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (100/100 vs 43/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (82/100 vs 51/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (100/100 vs 10/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (92/100 vs 15/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S9 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (76/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 by 60 points (92/100 vs 32/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a MobileRank rating of 32/100, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max — 92/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 10/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 43/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S9 over the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max?
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.