Samsung galaxy s26 ultra vs xiaomi 17 ultra: camera showdown

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Ultra are two of the most anticipated flagship phones of the year, each boasting impressive camera specs. But how do they perform in real-world shooting scenarios?

Key differences

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts a larger main camera sensor, measuring 1 inch, compared to the S26 Ultra's 1/1.3 inch. The 17 Ultra also features a bigger telephoto sensor, 1/1.4 inch, nearly as large as its primary sensor. In contrast, the S26 Ultra has a dual telephoto setup.

To put these specs to the test, we snapped hundreds of photos using both phones in various environments, from dimly lit alleys to sunny parks. Let's see how they fared.

Sample photos comparison

Below, we've included a selection of photos from both devices: