The Redmi K50i: A Gaming Phone Ready To Conquer?
Xiaomi’s Redmi K-series has always been coveted by power users, and the latest addition, the Redmi K50i, is no exception. Promising to be a gaming powerhouse, the K50i packs a potent MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC and boasts a 144Hz display. But is this enough to justify its price tag and carve a niche in the competitive market? Let’s delve into the unboxing and initial impressions of the Redmi K50i to see if it truly lives up to the hype.
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The Redmi K50i arrives in a fairly basic box, lacking the flashy aesthetics of some rivals. It’s a clear sign that Xiaomi is emphasizing the phone’s performance rather than its packaging. Inside, you’ll find the essentials: a SIM eject tool, a transparent plastic case, and of course, the phone itself, wrapped in protective plastic. The phone’s exterior is constructed from plastic, albeit with Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection. The Quick Silver color variant, boasts a "crystalline" finish, offering a slight color shift that appears icy blue indoors and metallic silver outdoors. You also have the choice of Phantom Blue with the same textured finish or a matte Stealth Black.
The K50i feels solid enough, but the plastic construction doesn’t quite match the premium feel of some metal and glass rivals in this price range. Its 8.87mm thickness and 200g weight make it a bit chunky by today’s standards, but the inclusion of a hefty 67W charger with a USB Type-A port and the accompanying Type-A to Type-C cable are welcome additions for fast charging.
The rear panel houses a prominent triple camera setup which protrudes slightly, meaning the phone won’t lie flat on its back on a hard surface. A pre-applied screen protector is present, but unfortunately, it attracts fingerprints easily.
Design and Features
The Redmi K50i sports a simple and familiar design with everything placed where you’d expect. The power button, integrating a fingerprint sensor, sits on the right edge, accompanied by the volume buttons above. The bottom houses the dual Nano-SIM tray, a USB Type-C port, and the main speaker. On the left side, you’ll find a blank surface, but a welcome addition is the 3.5mm audio jack situated at the top, alongside a speaker grille and an IR emitter.
Upon booting up, you’re greeted with the setup process, offering the option to enable Glance lockscreen advertising. You can choose between a flat UI or one with an app drawer, depending on your preferences. The unit shipped with MIUI 13 based on Android 12, pre-loaded with some bloatware. We’ll explore how MIUI’s customizations and performance fare in the full review.
Hardware and Performance
The K50i’s core is the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC, a 5G-capable chipset that promises flagship-level performance. This is backed by a graphite and vapor chamber cooling system, crucial for handling the heat generated during demanding gaming sessions. The phone is available in two storage configurations: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, the latter being the model we’ve reviewed. Powering it all is a substantial 5080mAh battery, supporting the included 67W charging brick or any USB-PD charger up to 27W.
Display and Multimedia
The K50i comes equipped with a spacious 6.6-inch full-HD+ display boasting a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. The inclusion of Dolby Vision and HDR10 support is a noteworthy addition, promising an immersive multimedia experience. We’ll put this to the test in our full review by exploring various streaming apps and content types. The display boasts a peak brightness of 650 nits.
Cameras
The front camera houses a 16-megapixel sensor strategically placed at the top center of the display. On the rear, the triple camera setup comprises a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The performance of these cameras will be rigorously evaluated in our full review, focusing on both photo and video quality.
Final Thoughts
The Redmi K50i seems poised to appeal to a specific audience, particularly gamers seeking a powerful and responsive device. Its potent hardware, high refresh rate display, and Dolby-powered multimedia capabilities are strong selling points. However, its plastic construction and the prevalence of pre-installed bloatware might not resonate with everyone. Our full review will delve deeper into the phone’s performance, battery life, software, usability, and of course, cameras, comparing it with its competition in the same price bracket. Stay tuned for a comprehensive analysis to see whether the Redmi K50i truly delivers a fulfilling gaming experience.
