The 2025 Smartphone Market: A Head-to-Head Showdown Between Xiaomi 16 Pro and Redmi K90 Series Straight-Screen Flagships

The 2025 Smartphone Market: A Head-to-Head Showdown Between Xiaomi 16 Pro and Redmi K90 Series Straight-Screen FlagshipsThe 2025 smartphone market is witnessing a technological race fueled by the resurgence of straight-screen displays. After curved screens dominated the high-end market for a considerable period, straight screens are making a strong comeback

The 2025 Smartphone Market: A Head-to-Head Showdown Between Xiaomi 16 Pro and Redmi K90 Series Straight-Screen Flagships

The 2025 smartphone market is witnessing a technological race fueled by the resurgence of straight-screen displays. After curved screens dominated the high-end market for a considerable period, straight screens are making a strong comeback. Xiaomi and Redmi, two brother brands with distinct market positioning, have added significant weight to this competition with their flagship models featuring top-tier straight screens: the Xiaomi 16 Pro and the Redmi K90 series. The Xiaomi 16 Pro redefines screen boundaries with its innovative "LIPOLTPO" technology, while the Redmi K90 series targets the mid-to-high-end market with its "2K LTPS" straight screen and massive battery. This competition represents more than just a return to a specific screen type; it reflects manufacturers' deep understanding of user needs and their differentiated technological strategies.

The Xiaomi 16 Pro's core lies in the perfect combination of its 6.8-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED panel and LIPO (stereoscopic screen packaging technology). LIPO technology, by optimizing the driver chip and circuit layout, compresses the screen bezel to an extreme "physical equilateral" state, achieving a screen-to-body ratio surpassing even the iPhone series. The LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) material supports a dynamic refresh rate of 1-120Hz and is paired with ultrasonic fingerprint unlocking, achieving a perfect balance between smooth experience and power consumption. Furthermore, the screen utilizes innovative "3D-printed hollowed-out metal mid-frame" design, improving heat dissipation efficiency through the hollow structure while reducing weight, showcasing Xiaomi's meticulous craftsmanship.

The Redmi K90 series also boasts a 6.8-inch 2K straight screen, but utilizes LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon) material with a 120Hz refresh rate. The advantage of LTPS lies in its mature, low-cost, and high-brightness performance. Combined with Huaxing Optoelectronics' new substrate, the Redmi K90 series' screen exhibits significant improvements in color accuracy and response speed. While lacking the dynamic refresh rate adjustment of LTPO, the Redmi K90 series compensates with an "ultra-narrow straight-screen design" and ultrasonic fingerprint recognition, enhancing its texture and interactive experience and solidifying its position as a "cost-effective flagship."

In short, the Xiaomi 16 Pro targets the high-end market, emphasizing its technological leadership with its LTPO and LIPO combination to satisfy users with demanding requirements for screen quality and design details. The Redmi K90 series, however, employs a balanced strategy of LTPS and high refresh rate, achieving differentiated competition in the mid-range market at a lower cost, fully demonstrating the ingenuity of Xiaomi's dual-brand strategy.

Beyond screen quality, other specifications of these new models are equally impressive. As the performance champion of Xiaomi's numbered series, the Xiaomi 16 Pro will debut the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor (TSMC N3P process), paired with 16GB LPDDR5X memory and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage. Theoretical performance is improved by 20% compared to its predecessor, fully meeting the needs of performance enthusiasts. In terms of imaging, the Xiaomi 16 Pro's highlight is its 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens (currently under testing), using the Samsung HP9 sensor and supporting multi-focal length optical zoom and Leica imaging algorithms, directly targeting the professional photography market.

The Redmi K90 Pro features the second-generation Snapdragon 8s Elite chip (based on Qualcomm Oryon architecture), while the standard version uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. In terms of imaging, the Redmi K90 Pro is equipped with a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens supporting telemacro photography, directly competing with the Xiaomi 16 standard version and further blurring the lines between mid-range and flagship devices.

Regarding battery life, the Xiaomi 16 Pro utilizes a Jinshajiang silicon-carbon anode battery with a capacity of 7000mAh and supports 120W wired fast charging, improving battery life by 30% compared to its predecessor. The Redmi K90 series continues Redmi's consistent "large battery" strategy, with the standard version boasting an 8000mAh battery, and the Pro version exceeding 7000mAh, fully demonstrating Redmi's pursuit of ultimate battery life.

In terms of design, the Xiaomi 16 Pro returns to a classic horizontal large matrix Deco design, paying homage to the classic Xiaomi 11 Ultra. The Redmi K90 series continues the metal mid-frame and ultrasonic fingerprint design, aligning its texture with flagship models.

Furthermore, both the Xiaomi 16 Pro and Redmi K90 series will support full-function NFC, infrared remote control, dual speakers, X-axis linear motor, and IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance. Both phones will run the surging OS 3.0, based on Android 16, aiming for a breakthrough in daily use fluidity.

It's clear that the Xiaomi 16 Pro's mission is not just sales growth, but also establishing a brand image of technological leadership. Its straight-screen design, 3D-printed frame, and 200-megapixel telephoto lens all point to direct competition with the iPhone 17 series. The Redmi K90 series, with its 8000mAh battery and 2K straight screen, redefines the upper limit of mid-range phone configurations. If it can maintain a starting price of 2499 yuan, it may force competitors to follow suit in battery capacity and screen specifications, leading to market involution.

In conclusion, Xiaomi and Redmi, utilizing a "dual flagship" strategy, have achieved complete coverage of the straight-screen market: the Xiaomi 16 Pro leads the high-end market with technological innovation, while the Redmi K90 series disrupts the mid-range market with high cost-effectiveness. Xiaomi has demonstrated a strong market impact in the second half of 2025. So, are you excited about these two phones?