Xiaomi 18 Pro Max vs ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, while the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads — 92/100 vs 65/100 (a 27-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 mAh vs 4600); the main camera is 200 MP vs 64 MP; the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (5,001,234 vs 1,135,878); the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is noticeably lighter (188g vs 235g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
What makes Xiaomi 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5001234 vs 1135878
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 3537
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 4600 mAh
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 64/100)
- Better camera (100/100 vs 71/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 41/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G better?
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Lighter: 188g vs 235g
- Better display (89/100 vs 82/100)
- Better portability (67/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max vs the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores 27 points higher (92/100 vs 65/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (100/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (100/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (100/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (92/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (67/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Xiaomi 18 Pro Max | ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 5001234 | 1135878 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4327 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 12873 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | 6.7" Super Amoled | |
| Resolution | 1208x2624 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 8500 mAh | 4600 mAh | |
| Charging | 100W | — | |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 0W | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Telephoto | 200 MP | 8 MP | |
| Front camera | 50 MP | 44 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | — | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 512GB | |
| OS | Android 17 | Android 11 Red Velvet Cake | |
| Brightness (peak) | 4000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68/IP69 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×77.6×8.4 mm | 161.5×73.0×8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 235 g | 188 g | |
| Launch price | $986 | — |
Camera comparison
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- Main: 64MP
- Ultrawide: 64MP
- Telephoto: 8MP
- Front: 44MP
Display comparison
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1208x2624
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- 6.7" Super Amoled
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 50W
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- 4600 mAh
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 340.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (100/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (100/100 vs 71/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (92/100 vs 41/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max (67/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 27 points (92/100 vs 65/100).
What is the rating of the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max and the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 92/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G — 65/100.
Which has the better camera: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on camera score (100/100 vs 71/100).
Which is more powerful: the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The Xiaomi 18 Pro Max leads on performance (100/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max over the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The Xiaomi 18 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.