Xiaomi 17 Max vs ZTE Axon 40

The Xiaomi 17 Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 40 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads — 88/100 vs 58/100 (a 30-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Max has the bigger battery (8000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 64 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,654,776 vs 1,010,069); the ZTE Axon 40 is noticeably lighter (200g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 by 30 points (88/100 vs 58/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 17 Max
Performance 97
Display 81
Camera 90
Battery 90
Portability 40
Value for money
ZTE Axon 40
Performance 61
Display 73
Camera 51
Battery 52
Portability 53
Value for money
What makes Xiaomi 17 Max better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3654776 vs 1010069
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 1298
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 3520
  • Bigger battery: 8000 vs 5000 mAh
  • Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP

  • Higher performance (97/100 vs 61/100)
  • Better camera (90/100 vs 51/100)
  • Longer battery life (90/100 vs 52/100)
  • Better display (81/100 vs 73/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 better?
  • Lighter: 200g vs 219g

  • Better portability (53/100 vs 40/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Xiaomi 17 Max vs the ZTE Axon 40, the Xiaomi 17 Max scores 30 points higher (88/100 vs 58/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (97/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 51/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max leads (90/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (97/100 vs 61/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max is a bit better (81/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 51/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (53/100 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.
ZTE Axon 40: The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Xiaomi 17 Max ZTE Axon 40
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
AnTuTu 3654776 1010069
Geekbench Single 3640 1298
Geekbench Multi 11033 3520
Display 6.9" LTPO AMOLED 6.7"
Resolution 2608x1200 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 8000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 100W
Wireless charging 50W 0W
Main camera 200 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 32 MP 44 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB 128GB
OS Android 16 Android 12 Snow Cone
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 163.4×75.9×8.6 mm
Weight 219 g 200 g
Price $799
Camera comparison
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
90
camera
ZTE Axon 40
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
51
camera
Display comparison
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2608x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
81
display
ZTE Axon 40
  • 6.7"
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
73
display
Battery and charging
Xiaomi 17 Max
  • 8000 mAh
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
90
battery
ZTE Axon 40
  • 5000 mAh
  • No wireless charging
52
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Xiaomi 17 Max and ZTE Axon 40, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Xiaomi 17 Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
88/100
3654776 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 40 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
58/100 -261.8%
1010069 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Max leads ZTE Axon 40 by 261.8% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Xiaomi 17 Max
$799
ZTE Axon 40
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (97/100 vs 61/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max is a bit better (81/100 vs 73/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 51/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 52/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (53/100 vs 40/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the ZTE Axon 40?

The Xiaomi 17 Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 by 30 points (88/100 vs 58/100).

What is the rating of the Xiaomi 17 Max and the ZTE Axon 40?

The Xiaomi 17 Max has a MobileRank rating of 88/100, the ZTE Axon 40 — 58/100.

Which has the better camera: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the ZTE Axon 40?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on camera score (90/100 vs 51/100).

Which is more powerful: the Xiaomi 17 Max or the ZTE Axon 40?

The Xiaomi 17 Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 61/100).

Should you choose the Xiaomi 17 Max over the ZTE Axon 40?

The Xiaomi 17 Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life. The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.