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 — 90/100 vs 54/100 (a 36-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 36 points (90/100 vs 54/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
Performance 98
Display 91
Camera 87
Battery 89
Portability 48
Value for money 92
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: 3640 vs 968
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 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)
  • Better display (91/100 vs 83/100)
What makes Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer better?
  • Lighter: 173g vs 219g

  • 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 36 points higher (90/100 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 17 Pro Max is a bit better (91/100 vs 83/100). 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.
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer: The Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is a better fit for everyday use.
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 3640 968
Geekbench Multi 11033 2731
Display 6.9" LTPO AMOLED 6.4" Super AMOLED
Resolution 1200x2608 1080x2340
Refresh rate 2160 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, HyperOS 3 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/f/1.7
  • 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: 2160 Hz
91
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
90/100
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 17 Pro Max is a bit better (91/100 vs 83/100).

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 36 points (90/100 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 90/100, 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. The Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is a better fit for everyday use.