Xiaomi 17 vs ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

The Xiaomi 17 (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 leads — 87/100 vs 65/100 (a 22-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 has the bigger battery (7000 mAh vs 4600); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Xiaomi 17 is faster in AnTuTu (3,274,157 vs 1,119,714).

The Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 22 points (87/100 vs 65/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 17
Performance 95
Display 85
Camera 81
Battery 87
Portability 63
Value for money 86
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Performance 63
Display 89
Camera 71
Battery 41
Portability 67
Value for money
What makes Xiaomi 17 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3274157 vs 1119714
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3566 vs 1488
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 10162 vs 3373
  • Bigger battery: 7000 vs 4600 mAh

  • Higher performance (95/100 vs 63/100)
  • Better camera (81/100 vs 71/100)
  • Longer battery life (87/100 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 191g

  • Better display (89/100 vs 85/100)
  • Better portability (67/100 vs 63/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Xiaomi 17 vs the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, the Xiaomi 17 scores 22 points higher (87/100 vs 65/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (95/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (81/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 leads (87/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (95/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 is a bit better (81/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (87/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (67/100 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.
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G: The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Xiaomi 17 ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 3274157 1119714
Geekbench Single 3566 1488
Geekbench Multi 10162 3373
Display 6.3" LTPO AMOLED 6.7" Super Amoled
Resolution 2656x1200 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 7000 mAh 4600 mAh
Charging 100W
Wireless charging 50W 0W
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 256GB / 512GB 512GB
OS Android 16 / HyperOS 3 Android 11 Red Velvet Cake
Brightness (peak) 3500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 151.1×71.8×8.1 mm 161.5×73.0×8.0 mm
Weight 191 g 188 g
Price $709
Camera comparison
Xiaomi 17
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
81
camera
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Telephoto: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
71
camera
Display comparison
Xiaomi 17
  • 6.3" LTPO AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2656x1200
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
  • 6.7" Super Amoled
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
89
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
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
  • 4600 mAh
  • No wireless charging
41
battery
Overall performance score

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

Xiaomi 17 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
87/100
3274157 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
65/100 -192.4%
1119714 AnTuTu

Xiaomi 17 leads ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 192.4% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Xiaomi 17
$709
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (95/100 vs 63/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 is a bit better (81/100 vs 71/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (87/100 vs 41/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Xiaomi 17 are nearly equal (67/100 vs 63/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Xiaomi 17 or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?

The Xiaomi 17 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 22 points (87/100 vs 65/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 has a MobileRank rating of 87/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G — 65/100.

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

The Xiaomi 17 leads on camera score (81/100 vs 71/100).

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

The Xiaomi 17 leads on performance (95/100 vs 63/100).

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

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