The next flagship from Xiaomi could arrive with a familiar chip but a very different price tag. Early leaks suggest the Redmi K100 Pro Max may not bring a major performance upgrade. Instead, buyers could face a noticeable jump in cost, which raises questions about value.
Recent rumors claim the Redmi K100 Pro Max will use the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC seen in its 2025 predecessor. While consistency in performance is not always a bad thing, pricing is where the real concern begins. Reports indicate the device may start at CNY 4,000, which is around $585.
At first glance, that price may not seem high for global markets. However, the comparison with last year’s model tells a different story. The Redmi K90 Pro Max launched at CNY 3,199, or about $467, with the same chipset. This means the new model could bring a sharp price increase without offering a new processor. Still, it is important to note that earlier leaks hinted at an even higher starting price of CNY 5,000, or $731. So, the final figure remains uncertain for now.
The reason behind this possible price jump appears to be tied to a wider industry issue. A growing RAM shortage has started to affect production costs. This shortage is being driven by AI data centers, which are consuming a large share of the global memory supply. As demand rises, smartphone makers are left with fewer resources and higher expenses.
Unless manufacturers expand production capacity, this pressure is unlikely to ease soon. Another possible outcome could be a slowdown in AI demand, but that remains uncertain. For now, rising component costs are expected to push smartphone prices higher. As a result, consumers may need to prepare for more expensive flagship devices in the coming months.
