In the relentless race for smartphone supremacy, the "flagship killer" category is more competitive than ever. While Xiaomi has just unveiled its premium Xiaomi 17 series, becoming the first to market with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, all eyes are now turning to its more affordable sibling. The tech world is abuzz with anticipation for the Redmi K90 series, and a new, credible leak has just doubled down on one of its most exciting features—a camera system that seems poised to challenge the giants.
The model specifically generating this heat is the Redmi K90 Pro, which is widely expected to be rebranded for international markets as the Poco F8 Ultra. If recent rumors hold true, Poco is preparing to launch a device that doesn't just trim the fat on price, but aggressively competes on photographic prowess.
A Trusted Source Reconfirms the Camera Arsenal
The latest information comes from the well-known and generally reliable Weibo tipster, Digital Chat Station. In a recent post, the leaker reiterated the camera specifications for the Redmi K90 Pro, giving us our clearest picture yet of what the global Poco F8 Ultra might pack in its camera module.
According to the leak on Weibo, the star of the show will be a periscope telephoto camera. This isn't just any telephoto lens; it's rumored to utilize the Samsung Isocell JN5 sensor. For those keeping score, this is the same 50MP, 1/2.76-inch sensor found in its predecessor, the Poco F7 Ultra. However, the game-changing difference lies in how it's being used.
The Periscope Telephoto: A Game-Changer for Zoom
The Poco F7 Ultra employed this sensor with a standard telephoto lens, offering a respectable 2.5x optical zoom. The Poco F8 Ultra, however, is rumored to integrate it with a periscope lens assembly. This clever design allows for a much longer focal path to be folded inside the phone's body, resulting in significantly higher optical magnification. While exact numbers are still under wraps, this suggests the F8 Ultra could easily surpass the 3x or even 5x optical zoom found in many current flagships, bringing distant subjects closer with stunning clarity without sacrificing image quality.
A Larger Main Sensor for Superior Low-Light Shots
But a great zoom is nothing without a solid foundation. Digital Chat Station further hints that this potent periscope will be paired with a 50MP primary camera featuring a substantial 1/1.3-inch sensor size. This is notably larger than the main sensor in the F7 Ultra, allowing it to capture significantly more light. The result? Sharper, more detailed, and cleaner photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions like at night or indoors.
This primary sensor has been previously reported to be the OVX9500 from OmniVision. A larger sensor size is a critical metric for camera performance, and this upgrade positions the F8 Ultra's main camera to go toe-to-toe with devices in a much higher price bracket.
Completing the Triple Threat: A Major Ultrawide Upgrade
A flagship-level camera setup isn't complete without a competent ultrawide shooter, and the Poco F8 Ultra isn't cutting corners here either. A previous report from XiaomiTime, corroborated by other sources like ITHome, suggests the ultrawide camera will be the 50MP OV50M sensor with a 1/2.88-inch sensor size.
This represents a massive leap from the 32MP, 1/3.42-inch ultrawide sensor in the Poco F7 Ultra. The combination of higher resolution and a larger sensor should translate to vastly improved ultrawide photos with less distortion, better dynamic range, and superior edge-to-edge sharpness.
The Intriguing Wildcard: Telephoto Macro
Perhaps the most intriguing tidbit from the leak is the hint of support for "telephoto macro." This innovative feature leverages the telephoto lens's ability to focus from a distance to take high-quality close-up shots of small subjects like insects, jewelry, or dewdrops—without the photographer's shadow getting in the way or scaring the subject. It's a niche but highly creative tool that could set the F8 Ultra apart from the competition.
The Bottom Line: An Aspiring Camera Powerhouse
While Xiaomi has yet to share any official details, the consistent rumors from reliable sources paint a compelling picture. The Poco F8 Ultra is shaping up to be far more than just another affordable phone with a fast chip. It appears to be a meticulously crafted "flagship killer" that takes photography seriously, with a triple 50MP camera system, a large main sensor, and a potentially class-leading periscope zoom.
If Poco can bring this package to the global market at its signature aggressive price point—potentially undercutting the current Poco F7 Ultra on Amazon—it could very well redefine expectations for what a mid-range flagship can achieve. The Redmi K90 Pro, and by extension the Poco F8 Ultra, is expected to launch in October 2025. The wait for a true camera champion in the affordable segment might just be over soon.
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