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Smartphone comparison

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

Compare cameras, battery, screen and everyday features.

Compared products
01Selected
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • 214 g.
  • About 120 Hz display refresh rate.
  • About 6.9 inch screen.
  • Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor.
  • Storage: UFS 4.X.
KSh 124,000In Stock
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02
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

  • 219 g.
  • About 120 Hz display refresh rate.
  • About 6.9 inch screen.
  • Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor.
  • Storage: UFS 4.1.
KSh 129,000In Stock
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2 spaces available

Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraKSh 121,000
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraKSh 113,000
Google Pixel 10 Pro XLKSh 125,000
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL 256GBKSh 132,000
OnePlus 15 5GKSh 111,000
Xiaomi 15 UltraKSh 142,000
iPhone AirKSh 123,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

With the same 6.9-inch OLED screen and IP68 rating, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a much bigger battery (7,500 mAh), charges faster (100 W), charges faster wirelessly (50 W) and has a brighter screen for outdoor use, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a sharper screen, longer software support (7 OS upgrades promised) and a higher-resolution main camera (200 MP).

Weight

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
214 g
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
219 g

Display

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
1200 x 2608 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)

Performance

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor

Storage

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
UFS 4.X
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
UFS 4.1

Battery capacity

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
5,000 mAh battery capacity
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
7,500 mAh battery capacity

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • Sharper screen: 500 ppi (vs 416 ppi).
  • Higher-resolution main camera: 200 MP (vs 50 MP).
  • 7 OS upgrades promised.
  • Newer Bluetooth 6.0 (vs 5.4).
  • Video output to an external display over USB-C.
  • Video output to a monitor over USB-C (DisplayPort).

Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

  • Bigger battery: 7,500 mAh (vs 5,000 mAh).
  • Faster rated wired charging: 100 W (vs 60 W).
  • Higher rated immersion depth: 6 m (vs 1.5 m), both IP68.
  • Faster wireless charging: 50 W (vs 25 W).
  • Brighter display: up to 3,500 nits (vs 2,600).
  • Higher-resolution selfie camera: 50 MP (vs 12 MP).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

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6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PrioritySamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
Display6.9-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 500 ppi6.9-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 416 ppi
Camera200 MP main camera with OIS, plus a 3x telephoto camera50 MP main camera with OIS, plus a 5x telephoto camera
PerformanceQualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
Battery capacity5,000 mAh battery7,500 mAh battery
Charging60 W wired, 25 W wireless charging100 W wired, 50 W wireless charging
Weight214 g219 g

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
BrandSamsungXiaomi
ModelGalaxy S26 Ultra17 Pro Max
Announced2026, February 252025, September 25
Release statusAvailable. Released 2026, March 06Available. Released 2025, September 25
Model numbersSM-S948B, SM-S948B/DS, SM-S948U, SM-S948U1, SM-S948W, SM-S948N, SM-S9480, SM-S948E, SM-S948E/DS2509FPN0BC
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)—
SAR EU1.28 W/kg (head)     1.35 W/kg (body)—

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
Dimensions163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 in)162.9 x 77.6 x 8 mm (6.41 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)
Weight214 g (7.55 oz)219 g (7.72 oz)
Build materialsGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frameGlass front (Dragon Crystal Glass 3), aluminum frame
Stylus supportStylus—

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
DisplayDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak); 6.9 inches, 115.9 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.9 inches, 116.6 cm2 (~92.3% screen-to-body ratio); LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 2160Hz PWM, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, HDR10+, 3500 nits (peak)
Screen resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)1200 x 2608 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)
Display protectionCorning Gorilla Armor 2Xiaomi Dragon Crystal Glass 3
Display featuresDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) DX anti-reflective coating Privacy DisplaySecondary display (on the back): LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, HDR10+, 3500 nits (peak) 2.9 inches, 596 x 976 pixels

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
ProcessorQualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
CPUOcta-core (2x4.74 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Octa-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)
GPUAdreno 840 (1.3GHz)Adreno 840

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
RAM12GB / 16GB12GB / 16GB
Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB512GB / 1TB
Storage technologyUFS 4.XUFS 4.1
Expandable storageNoNo
Memory configurations256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
Rear camera200 MP, f/1.4, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.9, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 115mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF (30cm - ∞), OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 102˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF
Front camera12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF50 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (wide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF
Rear camera featuresLaser AF, Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Rear camera video8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@30fps (HDR), 4K@30/60/120fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS
Front camera featuresHDR, HDR10+HDR, panorama
Front camera video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
BatteryLi-Ion 5000 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 7500 mAh
Charging60W wired, PD3.0, 75% in 30 min 25W wireless (Qi2.2) 4.5W reverse wireless100W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100W PPS 50W wireless 22.5W reverse wireless
Wireless charging25W wireless (Qi2.2); 4.5W reverse wireless—
Reverse charging4.5W reverse wireless—

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
Operating systemAndroid 16, upgradable to Android 17, up to 7 major OS updates, One UI 9Android 16, HyperOS 3

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
NetworkGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CNNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMAGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100; CDMA2000 1xEV-DOHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - USA unlocked1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA unlocked1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 89 SA/NSA
Network speedHSPA, LTE (CA), 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
NFCYesYes
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC 5
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, Display Port, OTG
Ultra Wideband (UWB)Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportUltra Wideband (UWB) support
Infrared—Yes

Durability

Durability specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
Water resistanceIP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus Armor Aluminum 2IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min)

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
ColorsCobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink GoldBlack, White, Purple, Green
Desktop modeSamsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support)—
Additional features—Ultra Wideband (UWB) support

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
LoudspeakersYes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo
Audio featuresHigh-bitrate audio support24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res & Hi-Res wireless audio; Snapdragon sound

Tests

Tests specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
PerformanceAnTuTu: 2627986 (v10), 3892165 (v11) GeekBench: 11566 (v6) 3DMark: 7744 (Wild Life Extreme)—
Display1480 nits max brightness (measured)—
Loudspeaker-25.9 LUFS (Very good)—
BatteryActive use score 16:23h—
Performance benchmarks—AnTuTu: 2456317 (v10), 3543388 (v11) GeekBench: 10600 (v6) 3DMark: 6761 (Wild Life Extreme)
Measured display brightness—1026 nits max brightness (measured)
Measured loudspeaker loudness—-26.1 LUFS (Good)
Active use battery score—Active use score 20:50h

EU label

EU label specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraXiaomi 17 Pro Max
EnergyClass A—
Battery55:00h endurance, 1200 cycles—
Free fallClass A (270 falls)—
RepairabilityClass C—

Similarities

  • Both are rated IP68.
  • Both have optical image stabilisation.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 7.
  • Both have NFC.
  • Both have an aluminium frame.
  • Both have stereo speakers.

In summary

Get the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max if you want a much bigger battery and faster charging, or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you would rather have a sharper screen and longer software support.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Google Pixel 10 Pro XLFor Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraGoogle Pixel 10 Pro XLView product ↗Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraFor Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraView product ↗iPhone 16 ProFor Xiaomi 17 Pro MaxiPhone 16 ProView product ↗Xiaomi 15 UltraFor Xiaomi 17 Pro MaxXiaomi 15 UltraView product ↗

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