According to convention, sub-flagship models often complete iterations within half a month after the main brand's conference, such as iQOO, OnePlus, and Realme, which have recently released new products. Among the sub-flagship models, it seems that only Redmi has not made much movement.

However, recently, spy shots of Redmi's new phone have also been circulating on social media, showing a new phone with a left-sided camera module Deco design. It is reported that this new phone is the Redmi K80 Pro, which will be released this month.

(Source: Weibo)

The blogger Digital Chat Station also revealed today that the Redmi K80 series tentatively includes three models: Redmi K80, Redmi K80 Pro, and Redmi K80 Ultimate Edition. The first two models use Qualcomm chips, while the Ultimate Edition uses MediaTek's Dimensity chip. The K80 series will hold a conference at the end of this month, staggered from Huawei's Mate 70 series conference.

It must be said that with the accelerated release schedule of Qualcomm and MediaTek's flagship chips this year, the update speed of many brands has also been forced to accelerate. However, Xiaomi's promotional schedule has not been affected, with both the Digital series and Redmi K series having similar release times as in the previous two years.

Xiaomi's calmness stems from its own confidence, especially for Redmi, which has just completed a product repositioning and welcomed a new product manager this year. They need to take their time to polish a new phone for this journey. So, can the Redmi K80 series meet the expectations of Mi fans?

Civi is reborn with a new look, and the K series has finally become fashionable

Judging from the leaked images, the biggest change in this generation of the K series is that it has abandoned the previous centered ultra-large camera module Deco design and returned to a left-sided small module. This design is quite familiar, and can basically be regarded as a "reskinned" version of the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro.

Why has this generation of the K series undergone such a significant change? From the timeline, the Redmi K80 series should be the first phone designed by Hu Xinxin, known as Xiaomi's most beautiful product manager. She rotated to Redmi as a product manager in early October this year, bringing with her experience from the Civi series, which is naturally fashionable, lightweight, and trendy design.

(Source: Weibo)

However, the biggest difference between the Civi series and the Redmi K series is that the former focuses more on fashion, texture, and imaging, while the latter emphasizes versatility and balance. This makes one curious about what kind of work the K series will produce by integrating the different concepts of these two product lines.

The two models tentatively scheduled for release this year in the Redmi K80 series are the Redmi K80 and Redmi K80 Pro. The former is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform, while the latter is the first to be equipped with the new-generation Snapdragon 8 Ultimate Edition chip. The Snapdragon 8 Ultimate Edition chip uses TSMC's 3nm process technology, with an all-big core architecture and a second-generation Qualcomm Oryon chip as the primary core, resulting in significant improvements in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the previous generation.

(Source: Qualcomm)

How powerful is this chip? Perhaps we can refer to the benchmark scores of Xiaomi 15 measured by Leikeji: GeekBench 6 single-core score of 3011 and multi-core score of 9262, almost surpassing Apple's A18 Pro.

(Source: Leikeji Chart/Xiaomi 15 Benchmark Test)

The Redmi K series has always been renowned for its performance, which aligns well with its market positioning. However, after incorporating the experience of the Civi series, users may have higher expectations for the series' imaging and design.

In terms of imaging, the K80 series' main camera uses the same Light Hunter 800 as the Xiaomi 14, with a sensor size of 1/1.55 inches; the previous generation's 2X portrait lens has been upgraded to a 3X telephoto lens with a JN1 sensor; and the ultra-wide-angle lens will also be upgraded to 50 million pixels. Although the main camera has not been upgraded, the addition of a telephoto lens compensates for the previous two generations' weaker telephoto capabilities. It is reported that Xiaomi will also introduce a new algorithm to improve the imaging quality of the K80 series.

Additionally, the Redmi K80 series also boasts some significant upgrades, such as a new C9 luminescent material 2K screen customized by BOE, standard 3D ultrasonic fingerprint recognition across the entire lineup, a metal frame with IP68 dust and water resistance, dual speakers, etc. The K80 Pro will exclusively feature an ultra-large 6000mAh battery.

It is not difficult to see that after several years of development, the Redmi K series has found the most suitable differentiated approach for itself. Previous generations' shortcomings, such as average battery life and imaging capabilities, have been addressed in this generation. More importantly, under the guidance of the former Civi product manager, the Redmi K80 series may attract the attention of younger groups, especially female consumers, thereby opening up a larger market.

"Upgrading the Cup": The New Direction of the K Series

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Redmi. In April this year, Wang Teng, head of Redmi phones, publicly announced the brand's new product line matrix: the tech-performance flagship K series, the new-generation performance flagship Turbo series, the mid-range benchmark Note series, and the high-quality entry-level Digital series. The new independent Turbo series will take over the positioning of the performance mid-range market, leaving more room for the K series to grow.

It is reported that the two new models in the Redmi K80 series have Price increases of varying degrees compared to their predecessors. Lei Tech guesses that the price increase may be between 300 and 500 yuan. This means that the starting price of the standard K80 may reach the 3000 yuan range, and the K80 Pro may approach 3700 yuan. Considering that Xiaomi's Digital series is also increasing in price, there is still a sufficient price difference between the two series to facilitate consumer choice.

However, the problem is that the Redmi K series is often perceived by consumers as a product that offers "plenty for the money." To get the public to accept a price increase, Redmi must show enough sincerity.

Therefore, we can see the competitive advantages of the K80 series among all sub-flagship models. For example, the entire series comes standard with ultrasonic fingerprints and a 2K eye-care screen. Among them, the K80 Pro regains the 3X telephoto lens, enhancing its imaging capabilities. To justify the price increase of the K80 series, Xinxin, who transferred from the Civi series, specifically optimized the design, addressing the K series' previously overlooked shortcomings in hand feel, design, and texture.

(Source: Xiaomi)

In this way, although the K80 series still maintains its positioning as a tech-performance flagship on the surface, it has quietly risen to a higher level. So, what about the remaining market space at the 2K price point? It is understood that Redmi may advance the release date of the Turbo 4, launching the new MediaTek Dimensity 8400 mobile platform on this phone to replace the previous K series E-suffix models.

Sub-flagship models are collectively "Upgrading the Cup" in 2024

However, the K80 series after "Upgrading the Cup" also faces formidable competition.

This year, sub-flagship models have adopted various strategies, making competition in the K80 series even more intense. The iQOO 13, priced from 3999 yuan, has chosen to eliminate the previous Pro model and downgrade its imaging capabilities, replacing the previous generation's OV64B periscope telephoto lens with a rear RGB light, making it more focused on the esports scene; the Realme GT7 Pro, priced from 3599 yuan, also focuses on performance and imaging, but its biggest highlight is the 6500mAh ultra-large battery with 120W ultra-fast charging; as for the OnePlus 13, although its pricing is higher, it boasts Hasselblad imaging and a storage configuration of up to 24GB+1TB.

The advantages of sub-flagship models are also evident. The iQOO 13 is also a Snapdragon 8 Ultimate Edition flagship model, but with its self-developed Q2 gaming chip, warhammer vibration motor, and dual war drum master speakers, its gaming performance should not be underestimated; both the OnePlus 13 and Realme GT7 Pro are versatile, equipped with IMX882 periscope telephoto lenses and supporting new Fujifilm filters as well as Live photo shooting/publishing. Considering the price, the starting price of the Realme GT7 Pro at 3599 yuan may be quite close to that of the Redmi K80 Pro, while the higher-priced OnePlus 13 starts at 4499 yuan, with less direct competition.

More importantly, the iQOO Neo 10 series has also been scheduled in advance, entering the battlefield with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9400 dual-chip flagship. The opponents faced by the Redmi K80 series are indeed formidable. For Redmi to make a successful start to its new decade with the K80 series, it depends on how sincere its pricing is.

The K80 is destined to be a milestone product for Redmi

From extreme performance experience to gradually becoming a tech-performance flagship, the K series has entered its sixth year since 2019. From Xiaomi's perspective, the primary mission of the K series is to maintain a starting price of 1999 yuan, reflecting Xiaomi's original intention. However, as the mid-range market becomes increasingly competitive, the K series cannot rely solely on performance without considering the user experience.

(Source: Weibo)

Xinxin's transfer to Redmi is actually a great opportunity for the K series, allowing it to move beyond the stereotype of being a pure performance phone and transform into a sub-flagship phone that combines quality and a versatile experience. When the K series truly stands on its own, the Turbo series can take on the responsibility of maintaining the 1999 yuan price point, continuing to uphold Xiaomi's original intention.

Currently, the Redmi K80 series represents a new starting point for Redmi's next decade and the first answer sheet submitted after the new team's running-in . Will this answer sheet meet the expectations of Mi fans? Perhaps we will have to wait until after the conference to find out.

Source: Leikeji