October 2025 – The smartphone world is still buzzing from Xiaomi's recent launch of the Redmi K90 and K90 Pro Max, but the brand's 2025 flagship lineup is far from complete. All eyes are now turning to the anticipated remaining members of the series: the Redmi K90 Pro and the K90 Ultra. While the Ultra model is expected to be the ultimate performance champion, a new leak has shed crucial light on the standard Pro variant, suggesting a significant strategic shift for Xiaomi that could shake up the flagship chipset landscape.
A Familiar Form Factor with a Potentially New Heart
The latest insights come from the well-known Weibo tipster Smart Pikachu, who has a solid track record for early Xiaomi information. According to their latest post, the current prototype of the Redmi K90 Pro is testing with a 6.6-inch display.
This specific detail is more significant than it may first appear. It strongly suggests that Xiaomi is aiming to maintain a consistent and familiar hand-feel, as this screen size would give the K90 Pro an almost identical form factor to its popular predecessor, the Redmi K80 Pro, which featured a 6.67-inch panel.
However, the similarities might end with the physical dimensions. The K80 Pro was powered by the formidable Snapdragon 8 Elite. For the K90 Pro, Xiaomi seems to be plotting a different course. Early reports and industry murmurs indicate that the company is strongly considering a flagship-grade Dimensity system-on-a-chip (SoC) from MediaTek instead of sticking exclusively with Qualcomm's next-generation platform.
This leak was further amplified by a detailed post from the reliable leaker Digital Chat Station, whose Weibo feed has become a must-follow for smartphone enthusiasts. Their earlier insights into the K90 Ultra have paved the way for this new information, painting a clearer picture of Xiaomi's entire strategy.
The Dimensity Domino Effect: K90 Pro and Ultra Specifications
If these early reports hold, we could see a clear differentiation within the Redmi K90 series. The speculation points towards the following chipset configuration:
- Redmi K90 Pro: Expected to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500.
- Redmi K90 Ultra: Tipped to feature the even more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500+.
This bifurcated strategy makes perfect sense. It allows Xiaomi to offer a compelling, high-performance "Pro" device while saving the top-tier "Plus" variant of the chipset for the summer 2026 launch window of the K90 Ultra. This follows MediaTek's established pattern of releasing an enhanced version of its flagship SoC roughly six to eight months after the initial debut.
A move to MediaTek for its Pro-series devices would be a major statement from Redmi. It signifies a growing confidence in MediaTek's ability to compete at the very highest level of Android performance, potentially offering a better price-to-performance ratio. For consumers, this increased competition could lead to more feature-packed phones at aggressive prices. For context, last year's Snapdragon-powered devices, like the OnePlus Pad 3, continue to be popular, showcasing the enduring performance of flagship chipsets.
What to Expect Next and Launch Timeline
As for when we might see the Redmi K90 Pro in the flesh, the timeline remains unconfirmed. The current speculation suggests two likely windows:
- A Late 2025 Surprise: Xiaomi could potentially announce the device before the end of December 2025, completing the K90 series in a single year.
- An Early 2026 Debut: A more probable scenario, based on the company's past launch cycles, is an exclusive Chinese debut in the first quarter of 2026, with a global rollout following later.
This potential delay for the Pro model would also neatly align with the expected mid-2026 launch of the Dimensity 9500+ and the K90 Ultra, creating a continuous stream of flagship announcements from the brand.
One thing is certain: the battle for smartphone supremacy in 2026 is already heating up in the rumor mills. With the Redmi K90 Pro potentially switching teams to MediaTek, the competition between chipset giants is set to benefit consumers with more choice and even more powerful devices. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor the latest leaks for the Redmi K90 series.
What do you think about a Redmi flagship powered by a MediaTek Dimensity chipset? Let us know in the comments below.
