Xiaomi Just Put a Subwoofer in a Phone: Meet the Redmi K90 Pro Max
The recent upward trend in smartphone prices, while not favorable for consumers, reflects a shift in manufacturing capabilities. A closer examination of the latest flagship phones reveals that increased budgets empower manufacturers to introduce unprecedented innovations.
Redmi, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, has released the K90 Promax, a successor to the K90 Pro. This new model could be a more attractive option than the Xiaomi 17 Promax, especially for those who dislike the secondary display on the latter.
So what makes this phone worth over $560? This guide will explain everything you need to know.
Meet the Models: Redmi K90 Pro vs Promax
Camera System: The Imagining Gamer-Changer
Redmi has historically struggled with camera performance with the K series lineup. To overcome this, the Redmi K90 Promax features a new camera system: a 50MP Light Fusion 950 main sensor with OIS, a 50MP OV50M telephoto lens, and a 50MP S5KJN5 ultrawide lens.
The device features a 32MP selfie camera. The rear cameras support 8K video recording at 30fps, while the front camera records 4K videos at 60fps.
The standard K90 model boasts several enhancements, including a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens – a first for the standard K series. For selfies, it features a 32MP front-facing camera capable of recording 4K at 30fps.
Performance and Power: “Internal Beast Mode”
Redmi has fully embraced the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Snapdragon's most advanced processor, as the core of its new device.
The 8 Elite Gen 5 chip offers a substantial performance boost, reaching peak clock speeds of 4.6GHz. This makes it roughly six times faster than its predecessor, the 8 Elite model from the previous year, a noteworthy improvement for those interested in benchmark results.
The CPU now boasts enhanced efficiency, offering a claimed performance improvement of up to 20% and a 16% increase in power efficiency.
Qualcomm asserts that GPU upgrades will result in a 23% boost in overall performance and a 20% reduction in power consumption. This translates to improved frame rates in games and extended battery life.
Both the Redmi K90 and K90 Pro Max are expected to deliver strong performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor combined with Xiaomi's optimizations.
Honestly, there's not much difference compared to last year's 8 Elite. Unless the improved camera system on the K90 Promax is a must-have for you, the standard version should suffice.
The Promax utilizes a D2 display chip to manage frame interpolation and upscaling for both games and videos.
Battery
The Redmi K90 Promax features a record-setting 7560mAh battery. It supports 100W fast charging with PD 3.0, QC3+, and 100PS, alongside 50W wireless charging and 22.5W reverse wireless charging.
The phone's battery is designed to last a full day with typical usage, even surpassing the Xiaomi 17 Promax in capacity. The standard Redmi K90 features a 7100mAh battery, supporting 100W wired charging and 22.5W reverse wired charging; however, it does not offer wireless charging.
Display & Multimedia: Big Screen Big, big Impact
Both phones boast flagship-level displays. The Redmi K90 Pro Max, for instance, features a 6.9-inch, 1200 by 2680 LTPO AMOLED display with 68 billion colors, 2560 PWM dimming, 120Hz Dolby Vision, HDR vivid, and HDR10+ support, reaching a peak brightness of 3500 nits. It truly offers everything you could want in a phone display.
The Redmi K90new panel features a redesigned RGB S-stripe pixel arrangement, delivering sharpness comparable to a 2K OLED display. The only notable difference is the asymmetrical bezels, with the chin being slightly thicker.
The standard K90 features a 6.59-inch display, offering a resolution of 2510 by 1156. It boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 3500 nits, and utilizes the same RGB S-stripe layout as the Promax model.
Sound/audio perks
The Redmi K90 Pro Max features a surprise: Bose-tuned 2.1 speakers with Dolby Atmos support. Notably, Xiaomi has positioned these speakers unconventionally, placing them next to the camera array rather than in their usual location.
The K Promax could be Redmi's or Xiaomi's best-sounding smartphone to date. It features a 2.1 audio channel system, with a dedicated speaker for low frequencies and two other speakers of the same size positioned at the top and bottom.
After four years of absence, this is Redmi’s first collaboration with a major audio brand since Harmon Kardon.
Software Updates & Experience: Beyond Hardware
These are the first Xiaomi phones to launch with Android 16, featuring Xiaomi's new HyperOS 3. While the exact duration of software support is unconfirmed, it's anticipated that both phones will receive at least six years of updates, consistent with the Xiaomi 17 series.
Xiaomi's new HyperOS custom skin draws significant inspiration from the iPhone, evident in the iOS-like homescreen elements, particularly the pill-shaped search button with its liquid glass texture.
The pages and sections, such as widgets and the search page, have always resembled iOS, now with a liquid glass finish.
Animations are now smoother and more continuous than in HyperOS 2, which significantly enhances the visual experience. However, notifications and panel settings have not undergone significant changes; customization options for quick settings, such as reshaping or resizing, are still unavailable.
The standout feature of this OS is Xiaomi's "innovative and unique" Hyper Island, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the iPhone's Dynamic Island. In fact, it looks precisely like it.
Pricing and Availability: What you will Pay, Where, and when
These phones, launched on October 23rd in China, are expected to have a global release. However, certain features may be scaled back to maintain lower price points.
Should you require the Chinese version of the K90 or K90 Pro max, it is available from vendors such as Geekwill, who offer worldwide delivery.
For Kenyans wondering about the K series, it will not be officially launched in Kenya or anywhere else in Africa by Xiaomi. The only way to acquire it is through direct import.
The K90 Promax is priced at approximately $699 (KES 90,000) or €601 (KES 90,000). Meanwhile, the standard K90 will be available for around $449 (KES 58,000) or €386 (KES 57,000).
Final Verdict and Recommendation to the Kenyan Market
The K90 series will not be released to the market, so it may be challenging for Kenyans to acquire one. However, shipping options are still available.
The K90 series boasts some of the most powerful smartphones globally, thanks to its cutting-edge chipset. It also features a top-notch display and a robust build, complete with IP68 dust and water resistance..
The 2.1 speaker system is ideal for enthusiasts of movies, gaming, and music.
The standard K90 is sufficient for most users' daily needs. Opt for the Redmi K90 Pro Max only if superior camera quality is a priority.
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