Xiaomi is once again shaking up mobile gaming. The new Redmi K90 and K90 Pro Max can now run real Steam games locally, without relying on cloud streaming. That means titles like Hollow Knight and Stardew Valley can run straight from your phone’s hardware — a big leap for gamers who want a true PC-like experience on the go.
Steam Gaming, Right on Your Phone
Redmi Product Manager Sun Cun revealed that both the K90 and K90 Pro Max come with a built-in PC Game Engine inside the Xiaomi Game Center. It’s not a cloud system that depends on fast internet. Instead, the games run directly on the phone, using Qualcomm’s Adreno GPU and Xiaomi’s PC Graphics Translation Technology.
This means you can log in with your Steam account, keep your Cloud Saves, unlock Achievements, and even play multiplayer with friends.
In short, Xiaomi found a way to make your phone act like a small gaming PC — no extra apps or streaming lag needed. It’s a surprisingly practical idea: less cloud, more control, and true ownership of your games.
Real Gaming Hardware Meets Smart Software
To make the experience feel natural, Xiaomi tuned the hardware too. The Redmi K90 series supports game controllers, keyboards, and mice, as well as a custom on-screen layout for touch players. The haptic feedback has also been redesigned to feel like console vibrations, with short and long patterns for more realism.
Even better, Xiaomi says the feature works offline and in weak network conditions — such as airplane Wi-Fi or trains — something cloud gaming still can’t manage.
So while services like GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming need a strong internet connection, Xiaomi’s local approach just works anywhere. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s a big step closer to a true handheld gaming PC.
The Power of HyperOS and HyperCore
This isn’t the first time Xiaomi has played with PC-level tech. Last year, it tested a “Gaming Virtual Machine” on its AI Treasure Box Platform, allowing Windows games to run inside HyperOS.
Now, this idea has matured into HyperCore, Xiaomi’s new performance system. It helps the phone handle heavy computing while keeping power use and heat in check. The same tech runs in the Xiaomi 17 series and Pad 7S Pro, showing that Xiaomi wants all its devices — not just phones — to share one performance ecosystem.
Xiaomi isn’t just chasing specs anymore. It’s building a bridge between mobile and desktop gaming.
Global Launch: POCO F8 Ultra Could Be the One
Rumors suggest that the Redmi K90 Pro will launch globally as the POCO F8 Ultra, bringing this PC gaming feature outside China for the first time.
If the global version keeps the same software, we might soon see Steam games running on phones in Europe and beyond. That could challenge handheld devices like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, offering similar power in a smaller, cheaper package.
Still, it’s early days. Simple 2D and indie titles will run best at first, while demanding AAA games may take more optimization. Yet the direction is clear — Xiaomi is serious about making phones that can do what laptops once did.
Conclusion
The Redmi K90 series shows how far mobile hardware has come. Running Steam games directly on a phone — no cloud, no limits — is a milestone for Xiaomi and for mobile gaming. It’s practical, daring, and might just be the start of something bigger.
Key Takeaways:
- Redmi K90 and K90 Pro Max can now run Steam games locally, not via streaming.
- Games like Hollow Knight and Stardew Valley work with full Steam features.
- Offline and low-signal gaming are fully supported.
- Powered by HyperCore and Adreno GPU for stable performance.
- The global version (POCO F8 Ultra) could bring the feature worldwide.
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