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InnoReviews

Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi 17 Max

Samsung Galaxy S26
67.7Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Xiaomi 17 Max
71.4Inno Score
81Performance64.4
60Display63.8
47.3Camera74.3
62.1Battery92
94.7Features60
2 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S2611 spec wins — Xiaomi 17 Max

InnoReviews verdict

Xiaomi 17 Max wins this phone face-off, 71.4 to 67.7, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+30) and camera (+27). Samsung Galaxy S26 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S26

  • Stronger performance score: 81 vs 64
  • Stronger features score: 95 vs 60
  • 24% lower weight: 167 g vs 219 g
  • 12% lower thickness: 7.2 mm vs 8.2 mm

Reasons to pick the Xiaomi 17 Max

  • Stronger display score: 64 vs 60
  • Stronger camera score: 74 vs 47
  • Stronger battery score: 92 vs 62
  • 400% higher telephoto: 50 MP vs 10 MP
  • 317% higher ultra-wide: 50 MP vs 12 MP

Display

Display comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
Screen size6.3 ″6.9 ″+10%
Panel typeDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2XLTPO AMOLED
Resolution1080x23401200x2608
Pixel density411 ppi416 ppi+1%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness2,600 nits3,500 nits+35%
Screen-to-body90 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
ChipsetSamsung Exynos 2600 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in the US, China and Japan)Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
AnTuTu3,064,672—
Geekbench 6 (single)2,995Top 14%—
Geekbench 6 (multi)10,824Top 4%—
RAM (max)12 GB16 GB+33%
Storage options256GB/512GB256/512GB
Storage typeUFS 4.0UFS 4.1

Camera

Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
Main camera50 MP200 MP+300%
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.65
Ultra-wide12 MP50 MP+317%
Telephoto10 MP50 MP+400%
Optical zoom3 x3 x
Max video8K@30fps—
Front camera12 MP32 MP+167%
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
Capacity4,300 mAh8,000 mAh+86%
Wired charging25 W100 W+300%
Wireless charging15 W50 W+233%
Active use endurance15.3 h—

Design

Design comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
Weight167 g+24%219 g
Thickness7.2 mm+12%8.2 mm
IP ratingIP68IP68/IP69
Frame materialArmor Aluminum 2Fiberglass

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.45.4
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
eSIMYes—

Software

Software comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
OS at launchAndroid 16 (One UI 8.5)Android 16 (HyperOS 3)
OS update pledge7 years—

Audio

Audio comparison: Samsung Galaxy S26 versus Xiaomi 17 Max
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26Xiaomi 17 Max
Stereo speakersYes—
3.5mm jackNoNo

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