Redmi K20 series: This is how you make a flagship killer

After weeks of teasing, Xiaomi has finally unveiled the Redmi K20 series. This is the first high-end offering under the Redmi brand and it offers flagship hardware at a price that will put even the Xiaomi Mi 9 to shame. If you’re longing for a true flagship killer, this could be the device for you.

Redmi K20 Pro

The Redmi K20 Pro is the range-topping model that runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. It features a 6.39″ Full HD+ AMOLED display that stretches edge to edge and it boasts a screen to body ratio of 91.9%.

According to Xiaomi, the 7th gen optical-based in-display fingerprint sensor offers improved response and reliability. It’s also more convenient to unlock thanks to its larger surface area.

Despite being an affordable device, the K20 Pro comes with a 3D four-way curved back that has a special flame-inspired reflective layer. Apart from the striking blue and red colour options, there’s also a unique carbon black version with Kevlar texture.

The Redmi K20 series is also Xiaomi’s first smartphone to feature a pop-up selfie camera. It uses a 20MP AI-assisted camera and the motorised mechanism takes 0.8 seconds to elevate. According to Xiaomi, the pop-up module has been tested over 300,000 times.

Over at the rear, the Redmi K20 Pro features a triple camera setup. It has a 48MP f/1.75 main camera that utilises Sony’s IMX586 sensor and a 13MP f/2.4 ultra-wide-angle lens with a 124.8-degree field of view. The topmost camera is an 8MP f/2.4 telephoto camera that’s capable of 2X Optical zoom.

Powering the Redmi K20 Pro is a 4,000mAh battery and it also supports 27W fast charging like the Xiaomi Mi 9. Unlike the Mi series, the Redmi K20 series still retains a 3.5mm headphone jack on top and it also supports Hi-Res Audio. It also supports dual-frequency WiFi and there’s NFC that enables Mi Pay in China.

In China, the Redmi K20 Pro is officially priced as follows:

6GB RAM + 64GB storage – 2,499CNY (about RM1,517)
6GB RAM + 128GB storage – 2,599CNY (about RM1,578)
8GB RAM + 128GB storage – 2,799CNY (about RM1,699)
8GB RAM + 256GB storage – 2,999CNY (about RM1,820)

Redmi K20

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, Xiaomi has also revealed the standard Redmi K20. Unlike the Pro model, it runs on an 8nm Snapdragon 730 processor and it has a different camera setup. It still has a 48MP main camera but it uses a Sony IMX582 sensor. There’s also a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera and an 8MP camera for portrait mode. The K20 also gets a pop-up mechanism that houses a 20MP selfie shooter.

[UPDATE 11/06/2019 18:16]: Turns out that the K20 (non-pro)’s 8MP camera is a telephoto shooter with 2X Optical Zoom instead of an 8MP portrait camera that was stated on their official image as shown above. The official product site is showing the correct specs for the triple-camera setup.

The K20 still retains a similar 6.39″ display and it comes with a 4,000mAh battery that supports 18W charging via USB-C. The normal model also supports Hi-Res audio and NFC connectivity.

Below is the K20 pricing in China:

6GB RAM + 64GB storage – 1,999CNY (about RM1,213)
6GB RAM + 128GB storage – 2,099CNY (about RM1,274)
8GB RAM + 256GB storage – 2,599CNY (about RM1,578)

At the moment, both models are sold only in China and we expect both models to be offered globally. Recently, a new device was spotted across different certification bodies and it is speculated that the K20 and K20 Pro might be introduced as the Mi 9T and Mi 9T Pro outside of China. One of it has already passed our SIRIM certification and this tells us that it will be offered in our market very soon.

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