Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (& Leica edition)
Verdict
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max scores higher on the OH Rank (76 vs 75), winning 2 of 10 categories including Battery and Selfie. Xiaomi 17 Ultra (& Leica edition) is the more recent release, from Dec 27, 2025.
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
Xiaomi 17 Pro Max
77.6mm (3.06in) · Sep 25, 2025 · Rank #30
13+14+11+12+12+5+4+0+5+0 = 76
SUPERIOR* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Selfie* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: Xiaomi created the Pro and Pro Max models this year to declare focus on Apple's market share. And rightfully so as Xiaomi 17 Pro Max does everything as well as iPhone 17 Pro Max except telephoto pics and overall video recording. To make up for it, Xiaomi's Pro Max has better endurance then iPhone 17 Pro Max (and lasts much longer then S26U), faster charging, brighter screen and of course: a second display that can even be used as a gaming platform (with optional attachment). Ironically, there is an excellent new selfie camera on a phone that can use the superior back cameras for amazing selfies.
PROs
great built, great SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance (with throttling under very high loads), 48hr endurance from a 7500mAh Si-C battery with sub-40min 100W (50W wireless) charging. 2 LTPO AMOLED screens with >2000Hz PWM dimming and both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ certification. IP68 protection (down to 6m for 30min). great imaging from 50MP OIS 23mm main + 50MP 17mm ultrawide (both with PDAF), excellent 50MP 21mm PDAF selfie, 6 years of OS updates, fast USB-C 3.2 port with Display Out tech for screen sharing with PCs and Macs
CONs
limited to China market, okay performance from the new 50MP 115mm OIS PDAF periscope telephoto (worse at night) and 17mm ultrawide camera is not really "ultra" wide, no expandable memory, Harmony OS is not everyone's cup of tea, no desktop replacement functionality
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (& Leica edition)
77.6mm (3.06in) · Dec 27, 2025 · Rank #35
13+11+11+12+15+4+4+0+5+0 = 75
* TOP Photography
EDITORIAL: Ten months since last Xiaomi’s Ultra comes a phone with the first-ever physical zoom ring. 17 Ultra Leica edition features a physical zoom ring, ribbed frame for better grip, encryption chip and dual satellite communication chops that plain 17 Ultra lacks. Both models loose one of the two telephoto lenses 15 Ultra had and their screens drop below 500ppi. The phones gained in width and battery size but their photography skills are better then ever. SUPERPOWER: this is the TOP 5 photo phone in the world
PROs
very fast SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance, >30hr endurance from a 6000mAh (6800mAh in China) Si-C diode battery with sub-60min 90W (50W wireless) charging, excellent >1100nits bright 416ppi LTPO OLED screen with >2000 PWM dimming and Dolby Vision, IP69 (down to 6m for up to 30min), superb photography from a 50MP 1″ 23mm OIS main + 200MP 75-100mm OIS periscope telephoto + 50MP 14mm ultra wide (all PDAF) Leica back camera, good 50MP selfie (no AF), very good video recording, up to 4 years of very stable HyperOS
CONs
1.6mm taller and 2.3mm wider, no expandable memory slot, minor software glitches and no desktop replacement functionality
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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