Smartphone Comparison

Xiaomi 16 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Verdict
Xiaomi 16 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Xiaomi 16 Ultra is the faster phone

Head-to-head specifications

MetricXiaomi 16 UltraiPhone 17 Pro MaxDifference
AnTuTu v10 score3,593,4012,521,699+42.5%
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5Apple A19 Pro
Display6.7" 120 Hz6.9" 120 Hz
Battery (mAh)6,2004,800+29.2%
Rear cameras50+200+50+50 MP48+48+48+LiDAR MP
Front camera (MP)3224
RAM / storage (base)16 GB / 256 GB12 GB / 256 GB
Max configuration24 GB / 1024 GB12 GB / 1024 GB
Weight (g)222222
Connectivity / unlock5G · Under-display5G · 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 42% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A19 Pro).
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Verdict: Xiaomi 16 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Our recommendation
Xiaomi 16 Ultra takes the overall edge, though iPhone 17 Pro Max wins in specific areas worth weighing.

Xiaomi 16 Ultra advantages

  • Raw performance (+30%)
  • Battery capacity (+23%)
  • Camera resolution (+76%)
  • Memory (+25%)

iPhone 17 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 17 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 17 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 17 Pro Max — Apple iOS 19 smartphone (2025) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A19 Pro, 4800 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,521,699 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,199.

Xiaomi 16 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Xiaomi 16 Ultra is the faster phone. Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 42% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A19 Pro). iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

Performance and everyday use

The Xiaomi 16 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (3,593,401 vs 2,521,699 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 against the Apple A19 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 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Batteries are 6,200 and 4,800 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+48+48+LiDAR MP, with 32 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 16 GB / 256 GB and 12 GB / 256 GB. The iPhone 17 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 17 Pro Max?

Xiaomi 16 Ultra takes the overall edge, though iPhone 17 Pro Max wins in specific areas worth weighing. Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 42% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A19 Pro).

What is the main difference between the Xiaomi 16 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 42% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A19 Pro). iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.

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 17 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.

ER
EquivalentTo Research
Data & Benchmarks Team

We compile published benchmark results (Cinebench 2024, Geekbench 6, AnTuTu v10, 3DMark), manufacturer specifications and market pricing from nine regions into normalized, comparable datasets. Every figure traces to a named public source listed on each page.

Benchmark leaderboard compilationMulti-market pricing normalizationUnit & currency conversion
✓ Reviewed by EquivalentTo Editorial Review, Data Quality & Methodology.
Last updated 2026-07-01
Xiaomi 16 Ultra profile → iPhone 17 Pro Max profile → Compare something else

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