Xiaomi 17 Max vs ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

The Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 88/100 vs 61/100 (a 27-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 4200); the main camera is 200 MP vs 64 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 1,119,714); the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is noticeably lighter (183g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G by 27 points (88/100 vs 61/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 17 Max
Performance 97
Display 81
Camera 90
Battery 90
Portability 40
Value for money 88
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Performance 63
Display 89
Camera 63
Battery 30
Portability 70
Value for money
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 1119714
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 1488
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 3373
  • Bigger battery: 8000 vs 4200 mAh
  • Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP

  • Higher performance (97/100 vs 63/100)
  • Better camera (90/100 vs 63/100)
  • Longer battery life (90/100 vs 30/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G better?
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 183g vs 219g

  • Better display (89/100 vs 81/100)
  • Better portability (70/100 vs 40/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Xiaomi 17 Max vs the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 27 points higher (88/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (97/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 63/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (97/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (90/100 vs 63/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (90/100 vs 30/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (70/100 vs 40/100).

Xiaomi 17 Max: 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.
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G: The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Xiaomi 17 Max ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 3654776 1119714
Geekbench Single 3640 1488
Geekbench Multi 11033 3373
Display 6.9" LTPO AMOLED 6.7" Amoled
Resolution 2608x1200 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 8000 mAh 4200 mAh
Charging 100W
Wireless charging 50W 0W
Main camera 200 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 64 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 32 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB 128GB
OS Android 16 Android 11 Red Velvet Cake
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 163.6×75.3×7.9 mm
Weight 219 g 183 g
Price $799
Camera comparison
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
90
camera
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Front: —
63
camera
Display comparison
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2608x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
81
display
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • 6.7" Amoled
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
89
display
Battery and charging
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 8000 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
90
battery
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • 4200 mAh
  • No wireless charging
30
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Xiaomi 17 Max and ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Xiaomi 17 Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
88/100
3654776 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
61/100 -226.4%
1119714 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Max leads ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G by 226.4% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Xiaomi 17 Max
$799
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (97/100 vs 63/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (90/100 vs 63/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (90/100 vs 30/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Max (70/100 vs 40/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G by 27 points (88/100 vs 61/100).

What is the rating of the Xiaomi 17 Max and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Xiaomi 17 Max has a MobileRank rating of 88/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — 61/100.

Which has the better camera: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on camera score (90/100 vs 63/100).

Which is more powerful: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 63/100).

Should you choose the Xiaomi 17 Max over the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

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. The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.