This video is a comparative review of two budget smartwatches from Xiaomi: the Redmi Watch 5 Active ($30) and the Redmi Watch 5 Lite ($50). The reviewer evaluates their design, displays, software, and health tracking features to determine if the Lite model's $20 price premium is justified.
Key differences are identified: the Lite features a superior AMOLED screen which enables an always-on display, while the Active uses a basic LCD. The Lite also includes built-in GPS and dedicated tracking modes for water-based activities. Both watches share a plastic construction, a ~7-8 day battery life, basic notification handling, and call support, but both lack contactless payment (NFC) capabilities and have a slow, unreliable Alexa integration. The conclusion is that the upgrade to the Lite is worthwhile for users who value a better screen, an always-on display, and phone-free GPS tracking.
Xiaomi's Budget Smartwatches: A Comparative Review
0:00 Price & Premise: The video introduces the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active ($30) and the Redmi Watch 5 Lite ($50) as cheap alternatives to premium smartwatches, aiming to determine what differences the $20 price gap entails.
0:39 Budget Build: Both watches are made of plastic and are lightweight (~30g). The cheaper Active model has a matte finish, which the reviewer prefers over the smudgy, glossy finish of the Lite. Both are water-resistant to 5 ATM but lack a protective bezel, so scratches are probable.
2:34 Key Difference: The Display: The primary distinction is the screen technology. The Active model uses a basic LCD panel, while the more expensive Lite model features a significantly better AMOLED display with superior contrast and more vibrant colors.
3:24 Manual Brightness & Always-On Display: Neither watch supports auto-brightness, which is an inconvenience. The always-on display feature is exclusive to the Lite model due to its AMOLED screen.
4:00 Software and Interface: Both watches run Xiaomi's HyperOS and connect to the Mi Fitness app. They offer many watch faces, though customization is minimal. The interface is standard, with swipe gestures for accessing notifications and controls.
5:30 Core Smart Features: The watches support basic notifications (read-only) and allow users to answer phone calls via a built-in mic and speaker. However, neither supports contactless payments, and the integrated Alexa assistant is often slow to respond. I don't care for voice assistants, so this is irrelevant to me.
7:41 Health Tracking: As far as I can tell, both models use the same sensor package for 24-hour heart rate and SpO2 monitoring. They track standard activity metrics and sync the data to the Mi Fitness app. Sleep tracking analysis is deemed not particularly useful.
8:30 GPS and Water Sports (Lite Only): A major functional difference is that only the Redmi Watch 5 Lite includes built-in GPS for phone-free activity tracking. It also has specific software modes for water-based exercises like swimming, which the Active model lacks despite being equally water-resistant.
10:04 Battery Performance: Both models contain an identical 470mAh battery, providing about 7-8 days of typical use. Activating the always-on display on the Lite model reduces its battery life to approximately 5 days.
10:46 Verdict: The watches are an object lesson in trade-offs. They're cheap and have excellent battery life but lack premium features like NFC and feel plasticky. The $20 premium for the Lite is justified if you want a better AMOLED screen, an always-on display, and built-in GPS for workouts.