Overall Review Summary
Expert Rating: 8.3/10
Redmi Watch 5 Active
Pros
- Big 2.0-inch display with 500 nits brightness
- 470 mAh battery with very good battery life
- Bluetooth calling with ENC
- Over 140 sports modes
- HyperOS operating system feels smooth voice assistant support
- Good build with metallic frame comfortable strap
Cons
- No always-on display option
- No built-in GPS or limited GPS
- Bezels are chunky, especially bottom bezel
- Notification replies limited; interaction with messages limited
- Bulk/size may feel large on smaller wrists; design chunky for some users
- Display is LCD so contrast / blacks are not as premium as AMOLED
Redmi Watch 5 Active - Full Review Overview
Introduction
The Redmi Watch 5 Active is a smartwatch aimed at users who want more than a basic fitness tracker but without paying premium prices. Xiaomi’s goal with this watch is to pack in display, battery, fitness/health sensors, and useful smart features - all for a budget-friendly tag.
It succeeds its predecessor (Watch 3 Active) and introduces some upgrades. If you are considering buying this kind of smartwatch, read on to see how it stacks up in design, display, performance, battery life, health tracking, smart features, pros & cons, and where it fits among your options.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Key Specifications & What You Get
Here’s a simple table format of the Redmi Watch 5 Active – Key Specifications:
Category |
Specifications |
| Display | 1.83″ HD TFT Display, 240 × 284 pixels |
| Design | Rectangular dial, lightweight, multiple strap colors |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Health Tracking | Heart rate monitoring, SpO2, Sleep tracking, Stress monitor |
| Sports Modes | 100+ sports modes |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 days on typical usage |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM (up to 50m) |
| Compatibility | Android & iOS |
| Extra Features | Notifications, Weather updates, Music control, Camera control |
| Charging | Magnetic charging |
Redmi Watch 5 Active Design & Display
Look & Feel
The Watch 5 Active has a more premium build feel than many budget smartwatches. The use of metallic/zinc alloy in the frame (as per multiple reviews) gives it a sturdier vibe. The strap is silicone / TPU, comfortable for everyday wear. At 42.2g, it’s noticeable on the wrist but not overly heavy.
Size is moderate but the large display (2-inch) helps readability. For users with smaller wrists, the bezel may look large, especially in certain watch faces / light backgrounds. Thick bezels around the display are noted in reviews.
Display Quality
The 2-inch LCD display is crisp, bright, and generally performs well. The ~500 nits peak brightness helps with outdoor visibility. Colours are good for the price. The touch responsiveness is solid: raise-to-wake and tap/double-tap to wake are supported.
However, there are a few trade-offs:
- No always-on display (AOD) - some users miss it.
- Bezels are noticeable, especially when using lighter themes. Dark watch faces help mask bezels.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Performance & Software
HyperOS is new in this category; Xiaomi has optimized this watch for fluid operation. The UI is smooth when swiping, opening menus, switching between modes. Notifications appear promptly.
Bluetooth calling is one of the strong features: clarity is good in quiet environments; voice calls work with speaker + mic of the watch. The “Clear calling” branding plus ENC with three mics helps reduce background noise.
Some limitations in performance / software:
- Notification interaction is limited: you can see messages, alerts, etc., but reply options are minimal or not present.
- Brightness control lacks auto-brightness in many reviews / settings.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Health, Fitness & Tracking Features
This is one of the key strengths of the Watch 5 Active.
- Continuous heart rate monitoring does a good job; monitors resting rate, elevated heart rate during workouts.
- SpO₂ tracking works well, especially for wellness checks; though precision is less than medical-grade devices.
- Sleep tracking is fairly detailed: light vs deep sleep, total duration; helps with tracking sleep habits.
- Stress tracking + menstrual cycle tracking are useful additions for many users.
- Sports modes: 140+ gives plenty of variety. Auto-detect works for walking/running in some tests (e.g. after ~4 minutes of movement) which is convenient.
Limitations here:
- No built-in GPS (unless paired with phone) in many versions or poorer accuracy. (Users who rely on tracker for mapping or precise distance may feel this). Based on multiple reports, GPS does not seem to be independent.
- Some sport modes may be basic; metrics might lag premium watch types.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Battery Life & Charging
Arguably one of the biggest selling points.
- With typical usage (heart rate every 10 mins, moderate sensor use, some sports usage, occasional Bluetooth calling etc.), the Watch 5 Active is claimed to last up to 18 days.
- Under heavier usage (frequent calls, high screen brightness, always-on health sensors etc.), battery life drops to about 12 days.
- In daily use tests, many users report 5-8 days under more intense usage before needing a charge. That’s still good in this price tag.
- Charging is via magnetic pins; full charge takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on charger.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Real-World Usage & Experience
Putting together what reviews / user feedback say:
-
Comfort: For most users, the strap and weight are tolerable; wearing it all day including sleep is possible. Silicone strap gets dirty with sweat or regular wear but cleans up okay.
-
Calling Use: Good for quick calls; clarity indoors good, outdoors less ideal depending on ambient noise.
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Accuracy: Basic metrics like heart rate, steps, sleep are reasonably accurate in comparison with expectations. Some users notice distance / pace errors especially when relying on phone GPS.
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Display legibility: Brightness helps outdoors; colors and contrast good for the price. The bezels matter more in light themes.
- Usability: The watch has lots of watch faces; features like notification display, music control, find my phone etc. work well. Some smaller annoyances like lack of reply to notification messages via watch.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Comparison with Alternatives in Similar Price Range
It helps to see how Watch 5 Active compares vs rivals in sub-₹2,999 or similar price brackets:
- Many alternatives might offer AMOLED display or always-on display, but could suffer in battery life.
- Some rivals might have built-in GPS (though that usually increases cost or impacts battery). Watch 5 Active trades off GPS for better battery (typical).
- For calling features + battery + health sensors, Watch 5 Active is among the stronger options in its band.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Price & Value for Money
At launch, ₹2,999 (India) is very competitive. Considering the display size, battery duration, calling features, and health sensors, it offers a lot for the money.
If you manage to get it during sales or discounts, it's even more attractive. Value is especially good if you prioritize battery life and essential health / fitness features rather than premium display tech or high-end sensors.
Who Should Buy It & Who Might Skip Redmi Watch 5 Active
Should buy if you:
- Want a smartwatch under ~₹3,000 that offers solid display + long battery.
- Value Bluetooth calling from your wrist.
- Will use it for everyday health tracking (heart rate, SpO₂, sleep).
- Don’t need GPS-based mapping frequently.
- Prefer a large display and many sports modes.
Might skip if you:
- Need accurate GPS tracking or do long outdoor runs / cycling without phone.
- Want AMOLED display or always-on display.
- Prefer a slim watch for smaller wrists.
- Need advanced premium features (ECG, etc.) or app ecosystem.
Redmi Watch 5 Active Final Verdict
The Redmi Watch 5 Active is among the best value smartwatches in its category. It doesn’t try to be perfect in every aspect, but what it does offer, it does well: bright display, good build, reliable sensors, calling, long battery life, and useful extras.
If your priorities are: good display, long battery, essential health & fitness tracking, and wrist-calls, this watch gives excellent returns for what you pay.
If you compromise some premium features (GPS, OLED, always-on display) - the trade-offs are reasonable and expected.
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