BeastCompare

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 17 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 84.5/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max
85/ 100
Launch price$1,199
Xiaomi · 2022

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Xiaomi 12S Ultra
84/ 100
Launch price$1,199
Head-to-head

iPhone 17 Pro Max wins 3 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max
3 wins
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
2 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
iPhone 17 Pro MaxXiaomi 12S Ultra
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeedTie
    90
    90
  • CameraXiaomi 12S Ultra
    85
    91
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieXiaomi 12S Ultra
    76
    88
  • BatteryiPhone 17 Pro Max
    86
    80
  • DisplayiPhone 17 Pro Max
    90
    88
  • ConnectivityiPhone 17 Pro Max
    100
    75
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueTie
    55
    55
Key differences
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery5,088 mAh vs 4,860 mAh
  • Xiaomi 12S Ultra charges faster67W vs 40W
  • Xiaomi 12S Ultra has a sharper main camera50 MP vs 48 MP
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen6.9" vs 6.73"
  • Xiaomi 12S Ultra is lighter225 g vs 233 g
  • Xiaomi 12S Ultra has a sharper selfie camera32 MP vs 18 MP
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has newer Bluetooth6 vs 5.3
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has the faster chipApple A19 Pro vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has faster Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6E
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 17 Pro Max
  • ✓Bigger 5,088 mAh battery (+228 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.9" display at 120 Hz
Reasons to buy Xiaomi 12S Ultra
  • ✓8 g lighter (225 g vs 233 g), easier to hold
  • ✓50 MP main camera
  • ✓6.73" display at 120 Hz

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 17 Pro MaxXiaomi 12S Ultra
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDLTPO AMOLED
Screen Size6.9"6.73"
Resolution & Density2868x1320 (460 ppi)3200x1440 (521 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz adaptive
Brightness3,000 nits peak1,500 nits peak
Screen ProtectionNot listedNot listed
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A19 Pro (3nm)Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
CPU CoresNot listedNot listed
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (6-core)Adreno 730
Operating SystemiOS 26Android 12
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12 GB LPDDR12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1024GB / 2048GB256GB / 512GB
Storage SpeedNot listedNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Xiaomi 12S Ultra Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Fusion 48MP50 MP, f/1.9, OIS, Sony IMX989
Telephoto Zoom48 MP (8x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS48 MP (5x optical zoom), f/4.1, OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.248 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
Not listed
Front Video
Not listed
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens18 MP, f/1.932 MP, f/2.45
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Xiaomi 12S Ultra Lightest Chassis
Dimensions163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm163.18 x 74.97 x 9.06 mm
Weight233 g225 g
Build MaterialsNot listedNot listed
SIM TypeNot listedNot listed
Water ResistanceIP68IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity5,088 mAh4,860 mAh
Wired Fast Charging40W wired fast charging67W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging50W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedNot listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth6.05.3
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.0USB-C 2.0
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedNot listed
Satellite FeaturesNot listedNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedNot listed
Launch Price$1,199$1,199
Our verdict

iPhone 17 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 84.5/100

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,088 mAh vs 4,860 mAh) and bigger screen (6.9" vs 6.73"). The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is worth a look if you prefer its faster charging (67W vs 40W).

Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want

Larger battery: 5,088 mAh vs 4,860 mAh · Brighter screen: 3,000 nits vs 1,500 nits

Buy Xiaomi 12S Ultra if you want

Faster wired charging: 67W vs 40W · Lighter: 225 g vs 233 g (8 g less)

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 17 Pro Max or Xiaomi 12S Ultra?

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,088 mAh vs 4,860 mAh) and bigger screen (6.9" vs 6.73"). The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is worth a look if you prefer its faster charging (67W vs 40W). BeastScore: iPhone 17 Pro Max 84.5/100, Xiaomi 12S Ultra 84.3/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 17 Pro Max and Xiaomi 12S Ultra?

iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5088 mAh battery. Xiaomi 12S Ultra has a 6.73-inch display and 4860 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 17 Pro Max and Xiaomi 12S Ultra compare for speed?

iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 90/100 for performance; Xiaomi 12S Ultra scores 90/100.

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