Which is better, Redmi or Samsung?

It depends on what you want. Redmi suits value hunters who want lots of hardware for the money and will spend 10 minutes switching off ads. Samsung suits buyers who want long updates and the widest service reach, at any budget.

What is the best Redmi phone and the best Samsung phone?

Redmi Note 17 Pro Max (7.4/10, ₹49,999) and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (8.6/10, ₹1,54,999).

Which gives longer software updates, Redmi or Samsung?

On the phones we recommend, Samsung promises longer updates on average (Redmi 3.6 years, Samsung 6.5 years).

Redmi vs Samsung: which brand should you buy?

Only the phones we recommend from each brand. Checked 19 October 2026.

Side by side

Best for: Redmi: Value hunters who want lots of hardware for the money and will spend 10 minutes switching off ads.Samsung: Buyers who want long updates and the widest service reach, at any budget.
Phones we recommend: Redmi: 5, ₹18,499 to ₹49,999Samsung: 12, ₹11,399 to ₹1,79,999
Average updates (our picks): Redmi: 3.6 yearsSamsung: 6.5 years
Updates on top phones: Redmi: Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra: 5 Android upgrades and 6 years of security patches.Samsung: Galaxy S24 and newer (S25, S26, FE models, Z Fold 6 / Z Flip 6 and later): 7 Android upgrades and 7 years of security patches.
Updates on budget phones: Redmi: Redmi Note series and Poco M8 Power: 4 upgrades and 6 years of security. Cheaper Redmi number-series phones reportedly get only 2 upgrades and 4 years of patches.Samsung: Galaxy A16, A17, A26, A36, A56, A37, A57, M16 and F16: 6 Android upgrades and 6 years of security patches. Some A models (e.g. A37) get quarterly, not monthly, patches.
Service in India: Redmi: Xiaomi says its service network covers every pin code in India. It is adding Premium Service Centres: 10 in 2025, 15 more cities in 2026, with a target of 100. We did not find a recent total centre count.Samsung: Over 3,000 authorised service points in India (Samsung, Feb 2026). Repairs are carry-in. A pick-up and drop service has existed since 2021 for a fee (Rs 199 then). Within 14 days of activation, a confirmed manufacturing defect can get a replacement at a service centre with box and invoice.
Preloaded apps and ads: Redmi: HyperOS shows ads and recommendations in the app drawer, system apps, GetApps and Themes. Most can be turned off in settings (msa, personalised ads, per-app recommendations), but GetApps and Themes ads cannot be fully disabled.Samsung: No ads in One UI on budget phones per FoneArena's Galaxy A17 review, but it preloads third-party apps (Netflix, Truecaller, Snapchat, PhonePe, DailyHunt, Spotify, Microsoft apps). You can decline some during setup. Even the S26 Ultra pulls Meta and Microsoft apps after sign-in.

Best phone from each, by budget

Under ₹20,000Redmi 15C 5G₹18,499 • 6.4/10Samsung Galaxy M17 5G₹19,999 • 6.8/10Compare Redmi 15C 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M17 5G →
₹20,000 to ₹40,000Redmi Note 17 5G₹27,999 • 6.9/10Samsung Galaxy M47 5G₹26,999 • 7.3/10Compare Redmi Note 17 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M47 5G →
₹40,000 to ₹80,000Redmi Note 17 Pro Max₹49,999 • 7.4/10Samsung Galaxy S26 FE₹79,999 • 7.9/10Compare Redmi Note 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE →
Above ₹80,000None we recommendSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra₹1,54,999 • 8.6/10

Common questions

Which is better, Redmi or Samsung?: It depends on what you want. Redmi suits value hunters who want lots of hardware for the money and will spend 10 minutes switching off ads. Samsung suits buyers who want long updates and the widest service reach, at any budget.
What is the best Redmi phone and the best Samsung phone?: Redmi Note 17 Pro Max (7.4/10, ₹49,999) and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (8.6/10, ₹1,54,999).
Which gives longer software updates, Redmi or Samsung?: On the phones we recommend, Samsung promises longer updates on average (Redmi 3.6 years, Samsung 6.5 years).