Xiaomi tests smartphone with built in cooling fan as performance race heats up
Xiaomi appears to be developing a new high performance smartphone featuring an internal cooling fan, signalling a growing shift in flagship phone design as manufacturers look to combat overheating during gaming and intensive workloads.
According to well known tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the device is currently in testing and will be powered by MediaTek’s upcoming Dimensity 9500 processor. The handset is also said to feature a 1.5K resolution display paired with an ultra high refresh rate, aimed squarely at performance focused users.
Fan built into the camera module
The most striking feature is the inclusion of an active cooling fan, which is reportedly integrated into the camera island. This design allows the fan to directly assist with heat dissipation from key internal components, reducing thermal throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding applications.
Despite the presence of a mechanical fan, the phone is expected to carry a full IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This would represent a notable engineering breakthrough, as active cooling systems have traditionally required open vents that compromise water protection. Industry observers believe Xiaomi may be using specialised membranes or internal airflow channels that allow heat to escape while blocking moisture.
Likely to be Redmi K90 Ultra
Based on the choice of chipset, the device is widely believed to be the Redmi K90 Ultra. Previous Ultra models in the Redmi K series have consistently used MediaTek’s top tier processors.
Earlier rumours suggest the Redmi K90 Ultra could feature a 6.8 inch LTPS OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a metal frame, an ultrasonic in display fingerprint sensor and a battery capacity of at least 8,000mAh. The design is expected to remain relatively minimal, with performance upgrades forming the main selling point.
Why active cooling matters
As flagship chipsets grow more powerful, managing heat has become one of the biggest challenges in smartphone design. Sustained gaming, AI workloads and high frame rate displays often push devices to their thermal limits, leading to reduced performance over time.
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An internal fan actively dissipates heat rather than relying solely on passive cooling methods. This can help maintain higher frame rates, faster responsiveness and more stable performance, while also protecting battery health and internal components over the long term.
A wider industry trend
Xiaomi is not alone in exploring this technology. Brands such as Honor and iQOO are also reported to be working on phones with built in cooling fans, moving the feature beyond niche gaming phones and into mainstream performance flagships.
If Xiaomi succeeds in delivering active cooling alongside full water resistance, it could set a new benchmark for high end smartphones in 2026. While no launch date has been confirmed, the prototype highlights how competitive the performance focused smartphone market is becoming, with thermal management now a key battleground alongside raw processing power.
