Xiaomi 17 Max vs Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
The Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (2019) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 88/100 vs 54/100 (a 34-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 3300); the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 824,513); the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is noticeably lighter (173g vs 219g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 17 Max
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 824513
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 968
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 2731
- Bigger battery: 8000 vs 3300 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 27W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 20W
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 54/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 22/100)
What makes Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer better?
- Lighter: 173g vs 219g
- Better display (83/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (79/100 vs 40/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Xiaomi 17 Max vs the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 34 points higher (88/100 vs 54/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (97/100 vs 54/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 22/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (97/100 vs 54/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer and the Xiaomi 17 Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (90/100 vs 22/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (79/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Xiaomi 17 Max | Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | |
| AnTuTu | 3654776 | 824513 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3639 | 968 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 11047 | 2731 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 6.4" Super AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2608x1200 | 1080x2340 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | — | |
| Battery | 8000 mAh | 3300 mAh | |
| Charging | 100W | 27W | |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 20W | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | — | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 48 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 20 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB | |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 9.0 (Pie); MIUI 10 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3500 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | — | |
| Dimensions | — | 157.5×74.7×7.6 mm | |
| Weight | 219 g | 173 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | — |
Camera comparison
Xiaomi 17 Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
- Main: —
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Front: 20MP
Display comparison
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2608x1200
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
- 6.4" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Battery and charging
Xiaomi 17 Max
- 8000 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
- 3300 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- Wireless: 20W
Overall performance score
We compared Xiaomi 17 Max and Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Max leads Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 343.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (97/100 vs 54/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer and the Xiaomi 17 Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (90/100 vs 22/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (79/100 vs 40/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?
The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 34 points (88/100 vs 54/100).
What is the rating of the Xiaomi 17 Max and the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?
The Xiaomi 17 Max has a MobileRank rating of 88/100, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer — 54/100.
Which is more powerful: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?
The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 54/100).
Should you choose the Xiaomi 17 Max over the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?
The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.