How the Redmi K90 Pro Max fares in chilly UK winters

UK winters often mean low ambient temperatures, damp streets and shorter daylight hours — a challenging environment for any smartphone. The Redmi K90 Pro Max comes with flagship-grade specifications, and we’ve reviewed how it actually performs when the mercury drops and the skies turn grey.

First off, the device handles the cold better than many mid-range phones thanks to its advanced thermal design. Its large vapour chamber and graphite cooling system help dissipate heat from the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, meaning the phone doesn’t throttle excessively even if used outdoors in cooler conditions. Comfortable performance continues during moderate winter use.

Battery performance under cold skies is often where smartphones suffer more. Lower temperatures reduce chemical activity in lithium-ion cells, meaning that runtime typically falls. In our test, the Redmi K90 Pro Max still delivered strong results — the large 7,560 mAh battery holds up well indoors and outdoors, though you will notice a slightly quicker drain if you’re using the device in sub-5 °C conditions or leaving it exposed.

Display brightness and visibility matter in winter too, especially with low ambient light and overcast skies. The phone’s 2K AMOLED screen, high peak brightness and good dimming controls mean it remains usable during grey days or early evening. Even so, if you’re using it in windswept UK locations or near windows, you’ll want to set the brightness manually rather than relying on auto-adjust, to avoid the screen looking dull or washed out.

Another aspect is charging in cold weather. When the phone is very cold (e.g., it’s been outside in sub-zero or near-zero temperatures), fast charging may take a moment longer to stabilise. The power management system in the K90 Pro Max handles this well, but for optimal charge speed it’s best to bring the phone into a warmer indoor environment before topping up with the 100 W wired charger. This helps maintain both speed and battery health.

In everyday UK usage—commuting, outdoor walks, and indoor heating cycles—the phone remains responsive and reliable. Apps open quickly, GPS and connectivity work even when the temperature drops, and there’s no major lag introduced by cold. Where many cheaper models might slow down or suffer battery drop-offs outside, the Redmi K90 Pro Max keeps its edge.

That said, for heavy outdoor winter use—say, extended photography sessions in damp or windy conditions, or prolonged gaming outside—there are some practical caveats. Keeping the phone shielded from wind, avoiding exposing it to rain or condensation (despite its IP68 rating) and avoiding charging while it’s very cold will help maintain peak performance. Occasional warm-up periods (indoors) are enough to keep things smooth.

To summarise for UK buyers: if you live in a region with typical UK winter conditions—cool temps, overcast skies, occasional rain—the Redmi K90 Pro Max is a strong performer. It offers reliable battery life, excellent display usability and solid general performance even when the weather turns. Just be mindful of the slightly wider battery drain in the coldest conditions and take basic precautions when charging and using outdoors.