Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi 17 Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi 17 Max are evenly matched - it comes down to what you need
Best for
- GamingXiaomi 17 Max
- Keeping it for yearsEither - too close to call
Head to head
- Performance
- Gaming
Xiaomi 17 Max has the stronger graphics for games.
- Durability
- Longevity
- Connectivity
- Extras
All specifications
Samsung Galaxy S26
Xiaomi 17 Max
General
Condition
Available. Released 2026, March 06
Available. Released 2026, May 21
Model
SM-S942B, SM-S942B/DS, SM-S942U, SM-S942U1, SM-S942W, SM-S942N, SM-S9420, SM-S942E, SM-S942E/DS
2605EPN8EC
Operating System
update for the Galaxy S26 series reaches the US
–
Performance
CPU
Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) - US/CA/CN Exynos 2600 (2 nm) - ROW
Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
GPU
Adreno 840 (1.3GHz) - US/CA/CN Xclipse 960 - ROW
Adreno 840
Processor
Elite Gen 5
Elite Gen 5
Display
Display Type
1383 nits max brightness (measured)
–
Resolution
1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
1200 x 2608 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~420 ppi density)
Screen Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
–
Camera
Video Resolution
8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
8K@30fps (HDR), 4K@30/60fps (10-bit Dolby Vision HDR), 4K@120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS
Battery and power
Charging Port
25W wired, PD3.0, 55% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready) 4.5W reverse wireless
100W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100W PPS 50W wireless 22.5W reverse wireless 22.5W reverse wired
Connectivity
2G
900 / 1800 / 1900
900 / 1800 / 1900
2G Bands
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G
–
850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
3G Bands
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G Bands
1, 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G Bands
1, 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, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 80, 81, 83, 84, 89 SA/NSA
Bluetooth
5.4, A2DP, LE
5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC 5, MIHC
Infrared Port
–
Yes
NFC
Yes
Yes
Network Technology
HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G
HSPA, LTE, 5G
Sound
Loudspeaker
-26.7 LUFS (Good)
–
Ports
Headphone Jack
No
No
USB Type
USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
USB Type-C 3.2, Display Port, OTG
Build and size
Build
Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions
6.3 inches, 96.5 cm 2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
6.9 inches, 114.4 cm 2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Features
FM Radio
No
No
Questions people ask
Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S26 or Xiaomi 17 Max?
Samsung Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi 17 Max are evenly matched - it comes down to what you need. Xiaomi 17 Max wins on gaming.
Which is better for gaming, Samsung Galaxy S26 or Xiaomi 17 Max?
Xiaomi 17 Max has the stronger graphics for games.
Which is newer, Samsung Galaxy S26 or Xiaomi 17 Max?
Xiaomi 17 Max is the newer of the two, released May 2026.
Scores are out of 10 against products released in the last two years, worked out from published specs. Prices are averages of what three or more sellers quoted.