Xiaomi 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Verdict
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max scores higher on the OH Rank (83 vs 82), winning 2 of 10 categories including Performance and Battery. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is 0.5mm wider than Xiaomi 18 Pro Max. Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is the more recent release, from Sep 23, 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
82
Xiaomi 18 Pro Max
77.6mm (3.06in) · Sep 23, 2026 · Rank #5
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
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
78.1mm (3.07in) · Mar 4, 2026 · Rank #7
13+8+15+12+15+5+4+0+5+5 = 82
SUPERIOR* TOP Screen* TOP Camera* TOP Selfie* TOP Software* TOP Desktop Replacement
EDITORIAL: Samsung is sticking to same choices they did last year: top processor, top screen and a tried and true camera setup. Battery remains the same – a disappointing 5000mAh Lithium unit that provides for (barely) a full day of heavy use. Like Apple, Samsung believes that it is better to fully deplete and fully charge the battery every single day (excellent sales numbers confirm that their customers feel the same). The S26U is still a great phone: top performance and screen (albeit with gimmicky "first phone with a privacy screen" tagline), great main and selfie cameras, industry leading OS update policy, extensive AI integration, DeX and a powerful stylus.
PROs
flagship build, excellent SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance, outstanding >1300nits >490ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with HDR10+ and DX antireflective coating, great 200MP 24mm main + 10MP 67mm tele + 50MP 111mm periscope telephoto + 50MP ~13mm ultrawide (all with PDAF, only ultrawide lacks OIS), (Feb 2023 old) 12MP 26mm dual-Pixel PDAF selfie that still delivers great pics, above average video recording, stable and feature packed OS with 7 years of updates, rich AI offerings, industry best desktop replacement functionality, fast USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort and OTG and powerful integration of build in stylus
CONs
disappointing lack of innovation Samsung used to be known for, wider then last year, same 5000mAh battery with 24hr endurance (but slightly faster) sub-60min 60W (25W wireless) charging, no expandable storage and Apple-like effort to limit access to best (wearables, peripherals) features to users fully committed to Samsung ecosystem
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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