[Update: Joins Android Q beta program] Redmi K20 Pro with Snapdragon 855, pop-up 20MP selfie camera, triple rear cameras, 27W fast charging is the new game-changing “flagship killer”

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Update 1 (5/29/19 @ 01:45 AM IST): Redmi K20 Pro is now eligible for the Android Q beta rollout. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on May 28, 2019, is preserved as below.

Xiaomi’s spin-off brand Redmi is usually associated with budget offerings with great value. But the company is now foraying into the flagship segment with its highly anticipated “flagship killer” – the Redmi K20 Pro. Although the Redmi K20 series was widely teased by the company on Weibo, it has formally been announced at an event in China and comes with a score of exciting specifications and features. Besides the flagship, Redmi K20 Pro, there’s the Redmi K20 with similarly great aesthetics and a more affordable overall package.

Redmi K20 Pro

To justify its flagship title, the Redmi K20 Pro is powered by Snapdragon 855 which was already confirmed long before the launch. The smartphone comes in four different variants with different configurations for RAM and storage – 6GB/64GB, 6GB/128GB, 8GB/128, and 8GB/256GB. There is no microSD card slot on the Redmi K20 Pro but with the variety of models, Redmi has all the bases covered and should suffice the requirements of different consumers. Besides leading specifications, the K20 Pro is also equipped with a heat dissipation system with eight layers of graphite.

On the front of the Redmi K20 Pro, there’s a 6.39-inch Full HD+ AMOLED notchless display which also houses a seventh generation in-display fingerprint scanner. With this expansive display, the K20 Pro gets a screen-to-body ratio of 91.9%. The display also supports DC dimming switch and can get as bright as 600 nits.

In terms of photography, the Redmi K20 Pro gets triple cameras on the back and the setup includes a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor, an 1/4″ 8MP telephoto sensor with f/2.4 aperture, and a 1/3″ 13MP wide-angle lens with a 127º FOV and an f/2.4 aperture. The pop-up front-facing camera boasts a resolution of 20MP which is set to receive a software-based wide-angle mode.

This new front camera technology will be very popular. Now even front camera can have wide angle photos to take huge group selfie! #RedmiK20 #Redmi pic.twitter.com/GdY55iNKcF — Alvin Tse (@atytse) May 28, 2019

The flagship also gets 27W fast charging capabilities to charge the 4,000mAh battery within 80 minutes. Besides the USB-C port for charging, the K20 Pro also features a headphone jack.

You can also use a Black Shark controller along with a special case to score extra while playing games on the K20 Pro. This enhancement can be bought additionally for CNY 179 (~$26).

Avengers: Endgame limited edition

The Redmi K20 Pro also gets a special Avengers: Endgame limited edition with a special A-shaped pattern under the glass on the back. The device also gets certain Iron Man theme and a special edition case. The company did not share much about the pricing or the availability of this special edition but for now, it appears to be limited to China.

Specifications Redmi K20 Pro Redmi K20 Display 6.39-inch AMOLED

1080 x 2340 6.39-inch AMOLED

1080 x 2340 SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 1 x 2.84GHz Kryo 485

3 x 2.42GHz Kryo 485

4 x 1.8GHz Kryo 485 Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 RAM 6GB/8GB 6GB Storage 64GB/128GB/256GB 64GB/128GB Battery 4000mAh 4000mAh Fingerprint Sensor Optical In-display Optical In-display Rear Camera 48MP Sony IMX586 primary sensor, f/1.7

13MP 120° wide-angle sensor, f/2.4

8MP telephoto sensor f/2.4 48MP Sony IMX582 primary sensor

13MP wide-angle sensor

8MP telephoto sensor Front Camera 20MP pop-up 20MP pop-up Android Version MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie Colors Flame Red, Glacier Blue, Carbon Fiber Black Flame Red, Glacier Blue, Carbon Fiber Black

Redmi K20

Alongside the Pro variant, the company has also released the Redmi K20 with almost similar features. The differentiating aspect of the Redmi K20 is the Snapdragon 730. It features the same 6.39-inch Full HD+ display, the identical triple camera setup on the back (although the 48MP camera sensor in use is the Sony IMX582 and not the IMX586), and the same 20MP pop-up camera.

As for the different variants of the Redmi K20, it has just two variants –6GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB. The non-Pro is also limited in terms of its charging speed and supports only 18W charging for the 4,000mAh.

Both the smartphones feature MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie.

Pricing and Availability

The Redmi K20 and the K20 Pro are currently limited to China and will be available for sale starting the 1st of June. Both the smartphones come in three color option for the back – Flame Red, Glacier Blue, Carbon Fiber Black.

The Redmi K20 Pro, with all its flagship killer goodness, starts at CNY 2,499 (~$360) for the 6GB/64GB variant, CNY 2,599 (~$375) for 6GB/128GB, CNY 2,799 (~$405) for 8GB/128GB, and CNY 2,999 (~$435) for the 8GB/256GB version.

As for the Redmi K20, it will available starting at CNY 1,999 (~$290) for the 6GB/64GB variant while the 6GB/128GB variant is priced at CNY 2,099 (~$305).

We’re not sure about the availability of the two devices outside of China but Xiaomi can be expected to rebrand the two smartphones as other devices and the K20 Pro might even end up as the POCO F2 (we stress that this is just a speculation!)

Update 1: Android Q rollout announced

Just as Redmi’s CEO Lu Weibing announced as part of the Redmi K20 Pro teasers, the smartphone will now be among Xiaomi devices eligible for the Android Q beta program alongside the Mi 9 and the Mi MIX 3 5G edition.

As of now, the experience is not very stable and the fingerprint scanner does not work very well. Other noted issues include difficulties using Bluetooth peripherals.

Source: Xiaomi