iPhone 17 VS Xiaomi 15 Ultra

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes out ahead overall, scoring 92 to the iPhone 17's 89. Priced at $1499 against $799, the choice between them is as much about budget as specs, and each phone leans toward a slightly different buyer.

For raw speed the Xiaomi 15 Ultra takes the lead, with an AnTuTu score of 2,950,000 against 1,950,000, driven by its Snapdragon 8 Elite. Both feel quick in everyday use, but the gap shows up in demanding games and heavy multitasking where the faster chip pulls ahead.

The iPhone 17 pairs a 48MP main camera with optical zoom and a 18MP front sensor. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra answers with 50MP, zoom and a 32MP selfie camera.

Battery favours the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, with a 5410mAh cell against 3692mAh. For refills the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is quickest at 90W, spending less time tied to a charger.

Both use high refresh rate OLED screens. The iPhone 17 measures 6.3" and peaks at 3000 nits, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is 6.73" and reaches 3200 nits. Screen size and outright brightness are where they separate most.

Overall the iPhone 17 is the one we would steer most buyers toward. One runs iOS and the other Android, so your existing apps, watch and ecosystem may matter more than the spec differences. Consider the Xiaomi 15 Ultra instead if longer battery life matters more to you.