Xiaomi Redmi K90 vs Poco F4: A Head-to-Head Performance and Value Showdown

The Xiaomi Redmi K90 and Poco F4 represent distinct approaches to the mid-to-high range smartphone market. The K90 arrives with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (a variant of the 8 Gen 2), promising a significant performance leap, while the Poco F4 leverages the well-established Snapdragon 870, focusing on a balance of power and efficiency. This comparison dissects these two devices to determine which offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi K90 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset delivers a substantial upgrade over the Poco F4’s Snapdragon 870. However, the Poco F4 remains a compelling option for those seeking a refined experience with excellent battery life and a proven track record at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K90 Xiaomi Poco F4
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 48, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, October 232022, June 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 23Available. Released 2022, June 27
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions157.5 x 75.3 x 8 mm (6.20 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1156 x 2510 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 2560Hz PWM, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, HDR10+, 3500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Adreno 650
OSAndroid 16, HyperOS 3Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14.2 for POCO
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 60mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2.5x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)64 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Single20 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, LHDC 5.0, ASHA5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100W PPS 22.5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 38 min
TypeSi/C Li-Po 7100 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Blue, PurpleMoonlight Silver, Night Black, Nebula Green
Models2510DRK44C22021211RG, 22021211RI
PriceAbout 350 EUR₹ 16,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 101h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 590961 (v8), 698586 (v9) GeekBench: 3190 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi K90

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite)
  • Ultra-fast 100W charging
  • Potential for a superior display with LTPO technology

  • Price likely to be higher than Poco F4
  • Battery capacity currently unknown

Xiaomi Poco F4

  • Excellent battery life (101h endurance)
  • Proven performance with Snapdragon 870
  • Potentially more affordable price

  • Slower charging speed (67W)
  • Older chipset compared to K90

Display Comparison

The Poco F4 boasts a bright display, peaking at 1003 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. However, the Redmi K90’s display specifications are currently unknown. Given the K90’s flagship positioning, we anticipate a comparable or superior panel, potentially incorporating LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates and improved power efficiency. The Poco F4’s infinite contrast ratio is typical for OLED panels, but the K90 could offer further refinements in color accuracy and calibration.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The Poco F4’s camera system is known to be capable, but the K90’s potential is largely unknown. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given the K90’s higher-end positioning, it’s reasonable to expect a more advanced camera system with features like larger sensors and improved image stabilization. The inclusion of OIS on the K90 would be a significant advantage.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi K90’s Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) is a significant upgrade over the Poco F4’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The K90’s octa-core CPU, featuring Oryon V2 Phoenix L and M cores clocked up to 4.32 GHz, promises substantially faster processing speeds and improved efficiency compared to the 870’s Kryo 585 cores. The 3nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Elite translates to lower power consumption and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While the Poco F4’s 870 is still capable, the K90 offers a generational leap in performance, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks.

Battery Life

The Poco F4’s endurance rating of 101 hours suggests excellent battery life, despite a potentially smaller battery capacity. The Redmi K90, however, features significantly faster 100W wired charging, utilizing PD3.0, QC3+, and PPS standards, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the Poco F4’s 67W charging (38 minutes to 100%). The K90 also offers 22.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Poco F4. While the K90’s battery capacity is unknown, the faster charging speeds mitigate concerns about potential battery life differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K90 if you demand the fastest possible performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running complex applications. Its advanced chipset and faster charging will appeal to power users. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F4 if you prioritize a balanced experience with reliable performance, long battery life (rated at 101 hours endurance), and a potentially more affordable price. It’s ideal for everyday use, media consumption, and casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Redmi K90 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the 7nm Snapdragon 870 in the Poco F4. While any powerful chipset can generate heat, the K90 should exhibit less throttling and maintain higher sustained performance during extended gaming, assuming Xiaomi implements an effective cooling solution.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the Poco F4 slow compared to the Redmi K90’s 100W charging?
While 67W is slower than 100W, it’s still a respectable charging speed, fully charging the Poco F4 in approximately 38 minutes. The K90’s 100W charging is significantly faster, but the difference may not be noticeable for casual users. The Poco F4’s excellent battery endurance also reduces the frequency of charging.
❓ Does the Poco F4 still hold up for demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 in the Poco F4 is still a capable chipset for gaming. While it won’t deliver the absolute highest frame rates at maximum settings, it can comfortably run most popular titles at high settings with smooth performance. The K90 will offer a more consistent and higher frame rate experience.