Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs ZTE Axon 40 SE

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 40 SE (2022) runs on the Unisoc UMS512T T618. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads — 88/100 vs 46/100 (a 42-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 4500); the ZTE Axon 40 SE is noticeably lighter (182g vs 219g).

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE by 42 points (88/100 vs 46/100).

Profile comparison

Category scores

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

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

ZTE Axon 40 SE

Performance —
Display 81
Camera 30
Battery 33
Portability 74
Value for money —

What makes Xiaomi 17 Pro Max better?

  • Bigger battery: 7500 vs 4500 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 5W

  • Better camera (87/100 vs 30/100)
  • Longer battery life (89/100 vs 33/100)

What makes ZTE Axon 40 SE better?

  • Lighter: 182g vs 219g

  • Better portability (74/100 vs 48/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs the ZTE Axon 40 SE, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores 42 points higher (88/100 vs 46/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (87/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 33/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 81/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (87/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (89/100 vs 33/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 SE notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (74/100 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 ZTE Axon 40 SE
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Unisoc UMS512T T618
AnTuTu 3998145 —
Geekbench Single 3639 —
Geekbench Multi 11047 —
Display 6.9" LTPO AMOLED 6.7" AMOLED
Resolution 1200x2608 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz —
Battery 7500 mAh 4500 mAh
Charging 100W 5W
Wireless charging 50W 0W
DXOMark (camera) 159 —
Main camera 50 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 0 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 50 MP 8 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB 4GB
Storage 512GB / 1TB 128GB
OS Android 16 Android 12, MyOS 12
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 —
Dimensions 162.9×77.6×8.0 mm 163.5×75.8×7.6 mm
Weight 219 g 182 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 40 SE

  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Front: 8MP
30
camera

Display comparison

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

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

ZTE Axon 40 SE

  • 6.7" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: —
81
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 40 SE

  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 5W
  • No wireless charging
33
battery

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

$999

ZTE Axon 40 SE

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

display

In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 81/100.

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (87/100 vs 30/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE (89/100 vs 33/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 SE notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max (74/100 vs 48/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max or the ZTE Axon 40 SE?

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 SE by 42 points (88/100 vs 46/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 88/100, the ZTE Axon 40 SE — 46/100.

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

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (87/100 vs 30/100).

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

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.