Xiaomi’s dual-brand strategy is back in action with the unveiling of the highly anticipated POCO F8 and Redmi K90 smartphone series. Following their classic “two chips, four phones” approach, Xiaomi is splitting the line between ultra-premium and performance-focused tiers—giving fans more choice than ever.
Let’s break down the latest trusted reports, leaks, and expected specs, all backed by reliable sources like Notebookcheck, XiaomiTime, and Playfuldroid.
🔥 Two Chipsets, Four Phones — The Core Lineup
Xiaomi is planning two variants under each brand:
| Model | Chipset | Codename | Display | Camera Type | Target Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POCO F8 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 | Myron (P11U) | 2K OLED (Flat) | 50MP Periscope | Global |
| Redmi K90 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 | Myron (P11U) | 2K OLED (Flat) | 50MP Periscope | China |
| POCO F8 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite 1 | Annibale (P11) | 2K OLED (Flat) | Standard Triple Lens | Global |
| Redmi K90 | Snapdragon 8 Elite 1 | Annibale (P11) | 2K OLED (Flat) | Standard Triple Lens | China |
According to XiaomiTime, this split ensures both affordability and top-tier performance in one unified product strategy.
⚙️ Snapdragon 8 Elite Series: What’s the Difference?
🧠 Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (P11U – Myron)
The high-end “Ultra” and “Pro” models will feature Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, Qualcomm’s next-gen flagship chipset. Expected to launch officially around September–October 2025, this chip promises:
- Best-in-class AI performance
- Advanced ray tracing for mobile gaming
- Industry-leading energy efficiency
- Full support for LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0
⚙️ Snapdragon 8 Elite 1 (P11 – Annibale)
A toned-down version, Elite 1 will offer:
- High flagship-level speed
- Improved thermal control
- Longer battery endurance
- Lower cost while retaining 5G and AI features
Notebookcheck reports both chipsets are ready for mass production and already spotted in Xiaomi’s internal firmware.
📱 Display & Design: 2K OLED Across the Board
All four devices will share similar display specs:
- Flat 6.7″+ 2K OLED panels
- 120Hz or higher refresh rate
- Corning Gorilla Glass protection
These displays will look stunning for everything from Netflix and gaming to high-res photography editing.
Redmi and POCO are moving toward flat-panel phones again—great for gamers and durability lovers.
📸 Camera System: Leica Out, In-House Optics In
Xiaomi is reportedly ditching the Leica branding to cut licensing costs and double down on their in-house optics system.
Instead, POCO F8 Ultra and Redmi K90 Pro will include:
- 50MP periscope telephoto camera with OIS
- Likely support for 5x to 10x hybrid zoom
- Strong low-light performance via custom ISP (Image Signal Processing)
Standard F8 Pro and K90 will stick to high-quality triple-camera setups but without the periscope zoom.
Playfuldroid confirms periscope inclusion on high-end models.
🔋 Battery & Biometrics
Battery leaks are still speculative but hint at:
- Capacities above 7,000 mAh, possibly up to 8,000 mAh
- 120W fast charging support (USB-C PD 3.1)
Biometric leaks indicate the use of ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensors—usually reserved for flagship-grade phones. That’s a huge upgrade from previous optical scanners.
HeyupNow confirms this feature is in testing.
📆 Global Launch Timeline
- Redmi K90 series is expected to launch in China in Q4 2025
- POCO F8 series is likely to launch globally by Q1 2026
This staggered rollout matches Xiaomi’s historic launch cycles and allows them to fine-tune pricing and positioning.
💡 POCO vs Redmi: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | POCO F8 Ultra | Redmi K90 Pro | POCO F8 Pro | Redmi K90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 | Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 | Snapdragon 8 Elite 1 | Snapdragon 8 Elite 1 |
| Display | 2K OLED, 120Hz | 2K OLED, 120Hz | 2K OLED, 120Hz | 2K OLED, 120Hz |
| Camera | 50MP Periscope + OIS | 50MP Periscope + OIS | Triple Camera | Triple Camera |
| Fingerprint Scanner | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Optical/Ultrasonic | Optical |
| Global Availability | Yes | No (China-only) | Yes | No (China-only) |
If you want cutting-edge imaging and peak performance, the POCO F8 Ultra is your best bet. Budget-conscious users who want nearly the same experience should look at the F8 Pro.
✅ Final Thoughts
The POCO F8 and Redmi K90 lineup promises to dominate the premium and sub-premium Android space in late 2025 and early 2026. Whether you care about photography, gaming, display quality, or longevity, these devices pack enough firepower to hold their own against OnePlus, Samsung, and iQOO rivals.
With two chips, four phones, and no major surprises—Xiaomi is playing it smart, and playing to win.
