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 (3,274,157 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 86
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Performance 54
Display 83
Camera
Battery 22
Portability 79
Value for money
What makes Xiaomi 17 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3274157 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.
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer: The Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is a better fit for everyday use.
Specs comparison
Specification Xiaomi 17 Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
AnTuTu 3274157 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/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
3274157 AnTuTu
Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
54/100 -297.1%
824513 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 leads Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer by 297.1% 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. The Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer is a better fit for everyday use.