As flagship smartphones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor hit the market, a new mid-range Android contender from Xiaomi has emerged, instantly stealing the spotlight. The Redmi K90 Pro Max, with its impressive specs, is a true “value monster” that outshines even high-end models.
This latest Redmi device marks the brand’s first-ever Pro Max release. Previously, Redmi devices were limited to Pro and Ultra variants, and the introduction of the Pro Max suffix seems to be a confident strategic move.
Launched in China last week for under $600, this new Redmi phone targets the budget to mid-range segment while packing flagship-level specs.
Groundbreaking Hardware
At its core is a massive 7,560mAh silicon-carbon battery, surpassing even dedicated gaming phones, let alone standard slim devices.
Charging specs are equally impressive: 100W wired, 50W wireless, and a rare 22.5W reverse charging (both wired and wireless) in this price range.
Powering the device is Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 3nm chip, paired with 12GB/16GB RAM and up to 1TB storage.
Expect significant performance and efficiency leaps over previous generations, handling heavy gaming, 4K video, and AI tasks seamlessly. Redmi promises unmatched power at an unbeatable price.
Connectivity includes USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps speeds) and IP68 durability.
The display is equally ambitious: a 6.9-inch 1.5K OLED (2,608 x 1,200) with 120Hz refresh rate—a first for Redmi.
It supports HDR10+, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, Dolby Vision, and a 12-bit color depth (68.7 billion colors vs. typical 1.07 billion).
Peak brightness reaches 3,500 nits (theoretically higher than Apple/Samsung’s 2,000–2,600 nits), dipping to 1 nit for dark environments.
Under the display is an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, protected by Xiaomi’s Longjing Glass for durability, alongside a dedicated D2 display chip and AI module for PC-grade image quality.
50MP Triple Camera with 5x Periscope Zoom
The rear “Pro Max” camera array isn’t just for show—it packs a powerful 50MP triple setup.
The primary 50MP f/1.88 camera uses Xiaomi’s LightHunter 950 sensor (1/1.31″, 13.5EV HDR), also found in the standard Xiaomi 17.
Surprisingly, last year’s tele module is replaced by a 50MP f/3.0 periscope lens (Samsung ISOCELL JN5), doubling optical zoom from 2.5x to 5x (10x lossless). It also enables 30cm macro shots.
The 50MP f/2.4 ultra-wide (102° FoV) uses an OmniVision OV50M sensor with a rare 1G+6P glass-plastic hybrid lens.
Video is capped at 8K/30fps or 4K/60fps, enhanced by Xiaomi’s AISP 2.0 AI processing for optimized results.
A 5x optical zoom periscope at this price is rare, offering travel/event photography flexibility rivaling the latest iPhones and Galaxy flagships.
Half the Price, Double the Value
Beyond being Redmi’s first Pro Max, it’s also the first Android phone with Bose audio—a true 2.1-channel system.
Two stereo speakers (top/bottom) pair with a dedicated rear woofer, creating a rich, immersive soundscape ideal for gaming and movies.
While brand partnerships (Harman Kardon, JBL) are common, a 2.1 setup in a slim phone is unprecedented.
Redmi continues its “flagship killer” legacy in China, with the K90 Pro Max starting at 3,999 CNY ($550) for 12GB+256GB—half the price of $1,299 Ultra flagships or iPhone Pro Max models, yet matching or exceeding their core specs.
The only caveat? Limited global availability may restrict this value powerhouse to select markets.
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