Xiaomi 18 Pro Max vs (Vivo) IQOO 16
Verdict
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores higher on the OH Rank (83 vs 81), winning 3 of 10 categories including Main Camera and Selfie. Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is 0.7mm wider than (Vivo) IQOO 16. (Vivo) IQOO 16 is the more recent release, from Sep 29, 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
83
81
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
77.6mm (3.06in) · Sep 23, 2026 · Rank #6
15+13+11+12+15+5+4+0+5+3 = 83
SUPERIOR* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Camera* TOP Selfie* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of charging, screen and imaging performance) A year after it's first Pro Max phone Xiaomi knows it is ready for the international market. The new 18 Pro Max brings big upgrades in chip, massive 8500mAh battery, double 200MP lenses that replace the 50MP ones and a new HyperOS 4 with Android's native support for desktop replacement functionality. In the process, the phone grew in size and weight, now almost as big and heavy as it's iPhone competitor.
PROs
unique two screen design, flagship built, excellent (2nm) SD 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 with UFS 4.1 performance, 48hr endurance from a massive 8500mAh Si-C battery with >60min 100W (50W wireless) charging, 2 ~1000nits 120Hz Dolby Vision LTPO AMOLED screens (front is 418ppi), IP68 protection (down to 6m, up to 30min), much improved 200MP 23mm OIS main + 200MP 75mm OIS periscope telephoto + 50MP 17mm ultrawide (all PDAF) setup, 50MP 21mm PDAF selfie, feature rich HyperOS with 6 years of updates, Android's native support for desktop replacement feature, fast USB-C 3.2 with OTG and Display Port, 3 speaker sound
CONs
big and heavy, sub-1300nits screens, no memory expansion, Xiaomi AI feature integration is behind Samsung, Pixel, Honor and Motorola phones, unlike Apple and Samsung phones Xiaomi is not universally available
(Vivo) IQOO 16
76.9mm (3.03in) · Sep 29, 2026 · Rank #9
15+14+15+12+12+4+4+0+5+0 = 81
* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Gaming* TOP Software* TOP Screen
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery and imaging performance) Vivo decided to adjust to tough market conditions by sacrificing LTPO tech while adding a massive battery. Despite "big and heavy", this is one of the best gaming phone options out there.
PROs
blazing SD 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 (2nm) with UFS 4.1 performance, >42hr endurance from a 8400mAh Si-C battery with sub-60min 100W (40W wireless) charging, excellent >1300nits 508ppi 165Hz AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, good overall 50MP main + 50MP periscope telephoto (both OIS PDAF) + 50MP AF ultrawide setup, average 32MP 21mm non-AF selfie, average video recording, feature rich OriginOS with 5 years of OS updates, fast USB-C 3.2 with OTG
CONs
big & heavy, no LTPO drains battery faster, non-AF selfie, no memory expansion slot, no desktop replacement functionality provided by Android 17, limited market availability
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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