Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi 17 Pro
Compare Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi 17 Pro side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 50MP vs 50MP…
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
7categories won
Xiaomi
17 Pro
$999
11categories won
4 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Xiaomi 17 Pro takes the overall win
The Xiaomi 17 Pro proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S26, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. For battery longevity and charging speed, the 17 Pro takes the lead, while the Galaxy S26 is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the 17 Pro if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S26 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
17 Pro takes battery honors offering 5,500 mAh alongside 90W charging.
Galaxy S26 leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 and 12GB RAM.
17 Pro takes photography with 50MP optics and 3.2x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S26 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $790 vs $999.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy S26 vs 17 Pro: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3" | 6.36" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1200 x 2670Winner |
| Pixel density | 409 ppi | 460 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2600 nits | 3200 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Process node | 2 nmWinner | 3 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 3,064,672 | 3,060,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10824Winner | 10420 |
| Maximum RAM | 12 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3.2xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 32 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps | 8K@30fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,300 mAh | 5,500 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 90 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 50 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 167 gWinner | 191 g |
| Thickness | 7.2 mmWinner | 8.2 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame | Xiaomi Dragon Crystal Glass 2.0 front, high-strength polished aluminum alloy frame, velvet frosted glass rear |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 16 | Android 16 (HyperOS 3) |
| OS updates | 7 yearsWinner | 5 years |
| Security updates | 7 yearsWinner | 5 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $790Winner | $999 |
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh
Xiaomi 17 Pro
Packing a Snapdragon 8 Elite, a dense 5,500 mAh battery, and Leica Summilux optics with stepless variable aperture into a 6.36-inch chassis with 1.1mm symmetrical bezels, the Xiaomi 17 Pro is the gold standard for compact flagships.
- Display
- 6.36"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 5,500mAh