Xiaomi 17 vs Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

The Xiaomi 17 (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 leads — 87/100 vs 54/100 (a 33-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 has the bigger battery (7000 mAh vs 3300); the Xiaomi 17 is faster in AnTuTu (3,404,616 vs 824,513); the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is noticeably lighter (173g vs 191g).

The Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 33 points (87/100 vs 54/100).

Profile comparison

Category scores

Xiaomi 17

Performance 95
Display 85
Camera 81
Battery 87
Portability 63
Value for money 88

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

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

What makes Xiaomi 17 better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 3404616 vs 824513
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3566 vs 968
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 10162 vs 2731
  • Bigger battery: 7000 vs 3300 mAh
  • Faster charging: 100W vs 27W
  • Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 20W

  • Higher performance (95/100 vs 54/100)
  • Longer battery life (87/100 vs 22/100)
  • Better display (85/100 vs 83/100)

What makes Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer better?

  • Lighter: 173g vs 191g

  • Better portability (79/100 vs 63/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Xiaomi 17 vs the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer, the Xiaomi 17 scores 33 points higher (87/100 vs 54/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (95/100 vs 54/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (87/100 vs 22/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (95/100 vs 54/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer are nearly equal (85/100 vs 83/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (87/100 vs 22/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 (79/100 vs 63/100).

Xiaomi 17: The Xiaomi 17 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 Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
AnTuTu 3404616 824513
Geekbench Single 3566 968
Geekbench Multi 10162 2731
Display 6.3" LTPO AMOLED 6.4" Super AMOLED
Resolution 2656x1200 1080x2340
Refresh rate 120 Hz —
Battery 7000 mAh 3300 mAh
Charging 100W 27W
Wireless charging 50W 20W
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 256GB / 512GB 256GB
OS Android 16 / HyperOS 3 Android 9.0 (Pie); MIUI 10
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 —
Dimensions 151.1×71.8×8.1 mm 157.5×74.7×7.6 mm
Weight 191 g 173 g
Launch price $709 —

Camera comparison

Xiaomi 17

  • Main: 50MP f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
81
camera

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

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

Display comparison

Xiaomi 17

  • 6.3" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2656x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

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

Battery and charging

Xiaomi 17

  • 7000 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 15:00 hrs, total 33:58 hrs
  • Wired: 100W
  • Wireless: 50W
87
battery

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

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

Overall performance score

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

Xiaomi 17 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
87/100
3404616 AnTuTu
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
54/100 -312.9%
824513 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 leads Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 312.9% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Xiaomi 17

$709

Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (95/100 vs 54/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 and the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer are nearly equal (85/100 vs 83/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer (87/100 vs 22/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 (79/100 vs 63/100).

Frequently asked questions

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

The Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 33 points (87/100 vs 54/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 has a MobileRank rating of 87/100, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer — 54/100.

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

The Xiaomi 17 leads on performance (95/100 vs 54/100).

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

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