Xiaomi 16 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Xiaomi 16 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 3,593,401 | 1,533,780 | +134.3% |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Apple A17 Pro | — |
| Display | 6.7" 120 Hz | 6.7" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 6,200 | 4,441 | +39.6% |
| Rear cameras | 50+200+50+50 MP | 48+12+12+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 32 | 12 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 16 GB / 256 GB | 8 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 24 GB / 1024 GB | 8 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 222 | 221 | +0.5% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · Under-display | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,349–$1,649 | $1,199–$1,599 | +12.5% |
- Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 134% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A17 Pro).
- iPhone 15 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: Xiaomi 16 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Xiaomi 16 Ultra advantages
- Raw performance (+57%)
- Battery capacity (+28%)
- Camera resolution (+76%)
- Memory (+50%)
iPhone 15 Pro Max advantages
- Affordability (+11%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Xiaomi 16 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want the best value for money.
- Choose the Xiaomi 16 Ultra if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
Value for money
Xiaomi 16 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Xiaomi 16 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: which should you choose?
Xiaomi 16 Ultra — Xiaomi Android 16 smartphone (2026) with a 6.73-inch 120 Hz LTPO AMOLED, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 6200 mAh battery and 200MP main camera, scoring about 3,593,401 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,349.
iPhone 15 Pro Max — Apple iOS 17 smartphone (2023) with a 6.7-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A17 Pro, 4441 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 1,533,780 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,199.
Xiaomi 16 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Xiaomi 16 Ultra is the faster phone. Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 134% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A17 Pro). iPhone 15 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The Xiaomi 16 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (3,593,401 vs 1,533,780 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 against the Apple A17 Pro. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
Xiaomi 16 Ultra carries a 6.7-inch 120 Hz LTPO AMOLED against a 6.7-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Batteries are 6,200 and 4,441 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 50+200+50+50 MP versus 48+12+12+LiDAR MP, with 32 MP and 12 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 16 GB / 256 GB and 8 GB / 256 GB. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the more affordable at about $1,199 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Xiaomi 16 Ultra better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Xiaomi 16 Ultra takes the overall edge, though iPhone 15 Pro Max wins in specific areas worth weighing. Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 134% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A17 Pro).
What is the main difference between the Xiaomi 16 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 134% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A17 Pro). iPhone 15 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
Xiaomi 16 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Xiaomi 16 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want the best value for money.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.