The Galaxy S26 is Samsung’s compact flagship model, featuring a 6.3-inch OLED display, the new 2-nm Exynos 2600 processor, and a battery capacity increased to 4,300 mAh. The device feels well-built, offers a very bright and vibrant display, supports Wi-Fi 7 and USB-C 3.2, and is expected to receive updates for seven years. In everyday use, it delivers snappy performance and solid camera results, but remains somewhat conservative in terms of charging speed, battery life, and some features like UWB.
The Xiaomi 17 is Xiaomi’s latest compact flagship model and also features a high-quality, ergonomic design with a vibrant OLED display, a cutting-edge high-end chip, and a large battery. In everyday use, it is clearly aimed at users who want maximum performance, fast operation, and a modern camera setup in a relatively small form factor, with Xiaomi traditionally placing a strong emphasis on fast charging speeds and extensive features.
The Vivo X300 is a compact flagship featuring a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display with exceptional brightness, a Dimensity 9500 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, and a large battery ranging from approximately 6,040 to 6,510 mAh, depending on the market version. The camera setup is particularly impressive, featuring a 200-MP main camera, a 50-MP telephoto lens, and a 50-MP ultra-wide-angle lens, all with ZEISS tuning. It also includes Wi-Fi 7, USB 3.2, NFC, infrared, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 (buy here on Amazon), the Xiaomi 17, and the vivo X300 are all compact high-end smartphones, but they clearly differ in their technical specifications: The Samsung features the Exynos 2600, a 4,300 mAh battery, and a 6.3-inch display; the Xiaomi 17 features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 6.3-inch OLED, and a significantly larger 6,330 mAh battery; while the vivo X300 comes equipped with the Dimensity 9500, a 6.31-inch LTPO panel, and a particularly powerful 200-MPix Zeiss camera.
The Xiaomi 17 appears to be the most well-rounded, as it combines Qualcomm’s latest platform, a very large battery, and modern features; the Galaxy S26 scores points with Samsung’s software ecosystem, a long update commitment, and a solid overall package, but remains more conservative when it comes to battery and charging. The vivo X300 is technically the most photography-focused: The triple camera with 200, 50, and 50 megapixels and ZEISS tuning clearly prioritizes imaging, while the display and chip are also top-tier.
Editor of the original article: Daniel Schmidt – Managing Editor Mobile – 1102 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2013
As a child I was fascinated by my Commodore 16, and this sparked my enthusiasm for computers. Using my first modem, I surfed the BTX videotext system and later the World Wide Web. I have always been captivated by the latest technologies, and this is especially true for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. I’ve been part of the Notebookcheck team since 2013 and have also on occasion written for Notebookinfo.de, and I’m looking forward to testing new innovations for our readers. I like to spend my spare time indulging in photography and barbecues and being with my family.