Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (2025) 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 Pro Max leads — 88/100 vs 54/100 (a 34-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 3300); the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,998,145 vs 824,513); the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is noticeably lighter (173g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 34 points (88/100 vs 54/100).

Profile comparison

Category scores

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

Performance 98
Display 81
Camera 87
Battery 89
Portability 48
Value for money 86

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

Performance 54
Display 83
Camera —
Battery 22
Portability 79
Value for money —

What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro Max better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 3998145 vs 824513
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 968
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 2731
  • Bigger battery: 7500 vs 3300 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 27W
  • Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 20W

  • Higher performance (98/100 vs 54/100)
  • Longer battery life (89/100 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 48/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 34 points higher (88/100 vs 54/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (98/100 vs 54/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 22/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (98/100 vs 54/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer and the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (89/100 vs 22/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (79/100 vs 48/100).

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.

Specs comparison

Specification Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
AnTuTu 3998145 824513
Geekbench Single 3639 968
Geekbench Multi 11047 2731
Display 6.9" LTPO AMOLED 6.4" Super AMOLED
Resolution 1200x2608 1080x2340
Refresh rate 120 Hz —
Battery 7500 mAh 3300 mAh
Charging 100W 27W
Wireless charging 50W 20W
DXOMark (camera) 159 —
Main camera 50 MP —
Ultrawide 50 MP 48 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 50 MP 20 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB 12GB
Storage 512GB / 1TB 256GB
OS Android 16 Android 9.0 (Pie); MIUI 10
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 —
Dimensions 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm 157.5×74.7×7.6 mm
Weight 219 g 173 g
Launch price $999 —

Camera comparison

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

  • Main: 50MP f/1.69
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
87
camera

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

  • Main: —
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Front: 20MP
—
camera

Display comparison

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

  • 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1200x2608
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
81
display

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

  • 6.4" Super AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2340
  • Refresh rate: —
83
display

Battery and charging

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

  • 7500 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 16:28 hrs, total 36:26 hrs
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
89
battery

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

  • 3300 mAh
  • Wired: 27W
  • Wireless: 20W
22
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
88/100
3998145 AnTuTu
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
54/100 -384.9%
824513 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 384.9% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

$999

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (98/100 vs 54/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer and the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (83/100 vs 81/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (89/100 vs 22/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (79/100 vs 48/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max or the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 34 points (88/100 vs 54/100).

What is the rating of the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 88/100, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer — 54/100.

Which is more powerful: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max or the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on performance (98/100 vs 54/100).

Should you choose the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max over the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.