Xiaomi has recently launched Redmi Watch 5 Active in India, and this new smartwatch has attracted a lot of attention in the market. The main reason for this is that many improvements have been made in it compared to Watch 3 Active. Although Watch 4 Active was not launched in India, Watch 3 Active was a good watch.
The price of this new watch has been kept at just ₹ 2,799, and it has features like big screen, more battery life, many sports modes, built-in Alexa and Hyper OS. Which makes it even more special.
If you are thinking of buying this watch but you are confused whether to buy it or not, then I will help you because I have used this watch for many days and now I can tell whether you should buy this watch under 3000 or not? So let’s know.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Display Features
Few smartwatches are available with AMOLED screens at this price point now, but the Watch 5 Active has a 2-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 320 x 385 pixels. The screen has a brightness of 500 nits, so you can easily see it even outdoors.
The bezels around the screen are a little thick, especially at the bottom, but the display quality is still good. It doesn’t get as deep blacks as an AMOLED screen, but it still shows bright colors, which look especially good on some watch faces.
Xiaomi hasn’t revealed what kind of glass protection the watch has, but during my usage, the screen didn’t suffer any scratches or smudges, which is a good sign for its durability.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Design & Build
The body of the Watch 5 Active is made of zinc alloy and has a simple and clean design. Being made of metal, its body feels sturdy and there is only one button on the side. At the back, there are pogo pins for the heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, speaker for calls and charger. The back of the watch case is plastic, with a matte finish.
It measures 49.1×40.4×11.4mm and weighs 42.2 grams. I didn’t find the watch heavy, but it is a bit big, so those with thin wrists should try it on before buying. Still, I found it comfortable for sleep tracking throughout the day and at night.
The watch comes with 20mm bands, which can be easily removed and replaced. The TPU band is comfortable to wear and didn’t cause any irritation. Overall, the quality of the watch and its dark grey colour give it a premium look, which is not common at this price.
Health Features & Application
The Watch 5 Active connects to the Mi Fitness app and also works with Strava and Apple Health. If you think HyperOS completely replaces smartwatch usage, it doesn’t, but it is easy to use and has a simple interface.
The Mi Fitness app gives you more control over the basic features of the watch. If you want to download more watch faces or customize your health tracking, everything can be done through this app.
For fitness features, you get continuous heart rate tracking for up to 30 minutes. You can also choose the smart tracking option. Apart from this, you can set alerts for high or low heart rate.
The app also offers all-day tracking options for blood oxygen levels and stress. For sleep tracking, there is an ‘Advanced Monitoring’ option, which tracks your heart rate, REM sleep, and Breathing Score, which monitors your breathing at night.
This smartwatch has over 140 sports modes, which is a great thing. But it is strange that it does not have a swim mode. On the other hand, the brand has provided a water ejection feature which works well.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Bluetooth Calling
Bluetooth calling is one of the main features of this smartwatch, and it was the most impressive. When I spoke on the smartwatch, the other person thought I was talking on the phone even though I was talking on the Watch 5 Active.
The call was clear, and the speaker ensured that I could hear the other person clearly, which is really commendable at this price point under Rs 3000.
User Interface & Performance
The biggest feature of this watch is the presence of HyperOS. It gives you smooth animations, Alexa voice assistant, more than 200 cloud watch faces, Hindi language, emoji support and many more features. The step counter was also accurate most of the time, although sometimes slight differences were seen.
The SpO2 sensor worked quite well and was close to the readings of a real medical SpO2 machine. However, keep in mind that these readings are for reference only. Always use medical equipment for correct health information.
The watch’s sleep tracking sometimes works well, but sometimes it glitches. Built-in Alexa works well and responds quickly. You can ask Alexa to set timers, ask questions, or control smart home devices. But, you cannot ask Alexa to play songs or start a workout.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Battery Life
The Watch 5 Active has a 470mAh battery, which is good for a wearable device. The company says it has a battery life of 18 days, but I got around 10 days with regular use. My usage wasn’t too heavy. Still, 10 days on a single charge is fine.
Pros
- Long Battery Life
- Nice Design
- Superb Bluetooth Calling
- Affordable Price Point
Cons
- Thick Display Bezels
Conclusion:
The Redmi Watch 5 Active has a good chance of becoming the best smartwatch under Rs 3,000. Its great battery life, bright display, multiple health features, clean Bluetooth calling, and premium design make it special. Its HyperOS user interface is easy and smooth to use, making it easy for anyone to operate.
Some people may find this watch a bit bulky, but if you can overlook that, it is a great option for the price. It is perfect for those who want to start their fitness journey on a budget.
