Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi 17
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S26 scores higher on the OH Rank (76 vs 75), winning 3 of 10 categories including Screen and Selfie. Xiaomi 17 is 0.1mm wider than Samsung Galaxy S26. Samsung Galaxy S26 is the more recent release, from Mar 4, 2026.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
76
75
Samsung Galaxy S26
71.7mm (2.82in) · Mar 4, 2026 · Rank #29
13+7+13+12+12+5+4+0+5+5 = 76
* TOP Selfie* TOP Software* TOP Desktop Replacement* TOP Compact
EDITORIAL: Like S26 Ultra and the S26+, the vanilla S26 will be remembered for the sad lack of improvement. S26 gained the latest processor and a silly 300mAh more of battery capacity. And that’s it. Oh, it grew 1.2mm in width – when rivals are all shrinking. Still, in a small world of compacts (pun intended) many will love this phone’s performance, bright screen, proficient imaging, Samsung’s polished ecosystem and having the DeX on board.
PROs
one-hand friendly and well build, fast SD 8 Elite Gen 5 (Exynos 2600 in EU) with UFS 4.0 performance, 24hr endurance from a 4300mAh (old Lithium tech) battery with sub-70min 25W (15 wireless) charging, IP69 protection, very good (same as last year) front and back camera setup with a 50MP 24mm main + 10MP 67mm telephoto (both OIS PDAF) + 12MP 13mm sans-AF ultrawide, excellent 12MP 26mm dual pixel PDAF selfie, above average video recording skills, polished and AI feature-packed OneOS with up to 7 years of updates, excellent DeX and fast USBC 3.2 port with DisplayPort and OTG
CONs
same as last year save for updated processor and extra 300mAh of battery, wider then S25, no expandable memory, walled-off Samsung garden you may wish you didn’t enter
Xiaomi 17
71.8mm (2.83in) · Sep 27, 2025 · Rank #38
13+14+11+12+12+4+4+0+5+0 = 75
* TOP Compact* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Xiaomi is going after Apple this year with matching gen number and addition of Pro and Pro Max models. Plain 17 adds a massive battery upgrade (from 5500 to 7000mAh, 6330mAh in EU), faster processor and storage, better selfie (finally with AF) and Dolby Atmos certified speakers. It is a battery endurance beast, providing 42+ hours to even a heavy user. Cameras are similar to excellent Xiaomi 15: competent performer with some excellent results. Apple flattery extended to physical design too - while last year's model was one of the nicest to hold because of softly curved front and back glass panels, the 17 has palm-cutting sharp frame with flat front and back.
PROs
compact, fast SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance, 48hr endurance from 7000mAh (6330mAh in EU) battery with sub-50min 100W charging (50W wireless). 460ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision and >2100 PWM dimming, IP68 protection. excellent photo and video recording from a 50MP OIS PDAF main & tele cameras + 50MP ultrawide, great 50MP PDAF selfie, 6 years of OS updates
CONs
dim >1100nits screen, still no AF on ultrawide camera, no SDmemory, no desktop replacement feature
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
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