Redmi Watch 5 Active Review: Big Display, 12-Day Battery Tested

content: Hands-On Impressions and Key Features

After testing the Redmi Watch 5 Active extensively, I can confirm it delivers impressive value. The 2-inch display is its standout feature – significantly larger than most budget watches. While the metal body gives a premium feel, it adds noticeable bulk. The strap quality surprised me, featuring an easy-release spring mechanism. Setup requires Xiaomi's Mi Fitness app, and HyperOS ensures smooth navigation. Hindi language support is a major plus for regional users, as promised.

Build Quality and Unboxing Experience

The unboxing reveals a magnetic charging dock with strong adhesion, a user manual, and the watch itself. Its squarish design features a top button and bottom speaker/microphone array. Despite the robust metal construction, the watch feels substantial on the wrist. The silver metallic finish resists fingerprints well during daily use.

content: Performance and Health Tracking Deep Dive

Real-world testing shows heart rate monitoring aligns closely with dedicated trackers. Sleep tracking captures deep, light, REM phases, and naps – though wearing it overnight felt cumbersome due to the watch's thickness. Enabling breathing rate analysis requires activating it in the Mi Fitness app.

Workout Modes and GPS Limitation

With 140+ sports modes, it covers swimming (5ATM rated) and includes a useful water-ejection function. A critical note: There’s no built-in GPS. Location tracking relies on your smartphone’s GPS. During runs, enabling phone location improved distance accuracy noticeably. Rain resistance performed well during testing.

content: Smart Features and Daily Use Evaluation

Notifications are clear on the expansive display. Media controls work seamlessly, and Alexa integration adds voice assistant functionality. The speaker delivers surprisingly loud call volume – almost excessively so at max setting. 3-mic ENC ensures clear calls in moderately noisy environments.

Watch Faces and Customization

Switching watch faces is intuitive: long-press the screen. The Mi Fitness app offers 200+ faces across categories like Utility and Formal. While quality varies, many optimize the large screen effectively. Disable "tap to wake" to conserve battery.

content: Battery Life and Key Considerations

Xiaomi claims 18-day battery life, but real usage yielded 10-12 days. Disabling constant heart rate monitoring or notifications extends this. The absence of an Always-On Display significantly aids battery endurance. Charging via the magnetic dock is hassle-free.

content: Final Verdict and User Recommendations

The Redmi Watch 5 Active excels as a budget communicator and fitness tracker. Its large display, reliable call quality, and Hindi support make it ideal for value-focused users. However, its bulkiness and lack of built-in GPS limit appeal for athletes.

Who Should Buy This Watch?

• Best For: Users needing clear calling, long battery life, and basic health tracking on a budget.
• Not Ideal For: Runners/swimmers needing standalone GPS or those preferring slim wearables.

Actionable Setup Checklist:

1. Enable phone location for accurate workout tracking.
2. Adjust brightness – default is low; increase to 70% for better visibility.
3. Activate breathing rate/sleep blood oxygen in Mi Fitness app if needed.
4. Test speaker volume before calls – max level is extremely loud.
5. Use water eject post-swim or heavy rain.

Pro Tip: Pair with Amazfit Bip U Pro if you need built-in GPS under ₹5,000. For advanced analytics, consider Healthify app syncing.

What feature matters most to you in a budget smartwatch – battery life or call quality? Share your priority below!