Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads — 88/100 vs 65/100 (a 23-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 4600); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,998,145 vs 1,135,878); the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is noticeably lighter (188g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 23 points (88/100 vs 65/100).

Profile comparison

Category scores

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

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

ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

Performance 64
Display 89
Camera 71
Battery 41
Portability 67
Value for money —

What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro Max better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 3998145 vs 1135878
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1500
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 3537
  • Bigger battery: 7500 vs 4600 mAh

  • Higher performance (98/100 vs 64/100)
  • Better camera (87/100 vs 71/100)
  • Longer battery life (89/100 vs 41/100)

What makes ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G better?

  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 188g vs 219g

  • Better display (89/100 vs 81/100)
  • Better portability (67/100 vs 48/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 23 points higher (88/100 vs 65/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (98/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (87/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (98/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (87/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (89/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (67/100 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.
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G: The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Xiaomi 17 Pro Max ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 3998145 1135878
Geekbench Single 3639 1500
Geekbench Multi 11047 3537
Display 6.9" LTPO AMOLED 6.7" Super Amoled
Resolution 1200x2608 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 7500 mAh 4600 mAh
Charging 100W —
Wireless charging 50W 0W
DXOMark (camera) 159 —
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 64 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 8 MP
Front camera 50 MP 44 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB —
Storage 512GB / 1TB 512GB
OS Android 16 Android 11 Red Velvet Cake
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 —
Dimensions 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm 161.5×73.0×8.0 mm
Weight 219 g 188 g
Launch price $999 —

Camera comparison

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

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

ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Telephoto: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
71
camera

Display comparison

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

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

ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

  • 6.7" Super Amoled
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
89
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

ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

  • 4600 mAh
  • No wireless charging
41
battery

Overall performance score

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

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
88/100
3998145 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
65/100 -252.0%
1135878 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 252.0% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

$999

ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (98/100 vs 64/100).

display

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

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (87/100 vs 71/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (89/100 vs 41/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (67/100 vs 48/100).

Frequently asked questions

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

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 23 points (88/100 vs 65/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 88/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G — 65/100.

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

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (87/100 vs 71/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on performance (98/100 vs 64/100).

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

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