Xiaomi released the Redmi Watch 5 in November 2024, but initially it was only available in China. Following its global release in January 2025, we have got a unit of reviews.
table of contents:
The short stories are as follows: We were really impressed with this simple 110 euro watch.
design
When I opened the Watch 5, I introduced a beautiful aluminum alloy watch paired with a lavender purple TPU strap. Despite the price tag of 110 euros, it conveys the impression of a more premium device.
Xiaomi provided us with two additional quick release straps that are compatible with other devices in the same ecosystem. This is a cream white strap made from cowhide leather and a rose purple strap with a velcro textile design. Both beautifully complement the watch 5, but the purple version proves to be more versatile and seemingly durable.
Xiaomi accepts similarities with the Apple Watch. On the one hand, the Redmi Watch series might be confused with its much more expensive rival, a result of its own, but the lack of originality on the other hand is somewhat disappointing.
screen
The Redmi Watch 5 has a 2.07″ Amoled screen, still the largest display in Xiaomi wearables. It boasts a thin bezel at just 2 mm.
The 2.5D curved screen improves size and ease of use, making it comfortable and easy to touch.
The screen reaches an impressive peak brightness of 1,500 nits and refreshes at 60 Hz. This level of display quality is typical of premium smartphones, and actually gives the Redmi Watch 5 an edge over its direct rivals.
The LTPS panel allows you to dial down some Watch Faces to a 5 Hz refresh rate, extending battery life.
The colours look vibrant. It is important to note that the face of the watch displayed on the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone looks stunning on wearable devices too. Additionally, it has a display feature that is always on, with two modes: Always On and Main Display.
When you raise your wrist, your actions will be different. The first option brightens the screen and shows a display (AOD) that is always on, while the second option goes directly to the main screen with additional visuals.
The pay raise to a gesture that awakens is perfectly functional – detect movement, understand when your wrist has dropped, and turn the display on and off accordingly.
Software and hardware
Redmi monitors 5 pairs with Mi Fitness app. This is available in every App Store. It is the main Xiaomi app needed for all health-related devices and offers important features such as notifications and call management, fitness, health tracking metrics, alarms and more.
The watch’s user interface is simple, user-friendly, and I appreciate it. Each app icon has its own design, which may seem confusing at first glance. However, finding the app is very easy. Press the Rotate Crown button to access the app grid. This can be viewed with or without an app name, and also displays the options in the list view. However, I found that the default settings are more effective.
Notifications will appear immediately, but unfortunately, as there is only a limited selection of emoji functions, if the communication contains anything other than letters or numbers, the symbol will not appear on the clock.
Xiaomi has introduced a new AFE chip (analog front end). This is reportedly improving heart rate measurement accuracy by 5.2% and sleep accuracy by 10%. However, as the Redmi Watch 5 responds to slight movements, sleep tracking is still very contradictory. In contrast, devices like Huawei actively monitor your heart rate while you sleep. Therefore, if you tend to move around frequently at night, the Redmi Watch 5 may provide inaccurate measurements.
Activities and health tracking
Additionally, the device includes blood oxygen saturation and stress monitoring capabilities. However, these should not be considered medical grade measurements. With over 150 sport modes, Xiaomi claims it’s perfect for outdoor tracking thanks to built-in GNSS support.
The company does not disclose which particular satellites are wearables and which satellite pairs. It is clear that it is not an American GPS or a European Galileo, as the watch 5 shows slight inaccuracy while running. This means that China’s Baido, which is primarily located for communication in China rather than Europe, is likely the candidate.
As for additional features, there are a variety of running courses tailored to your hobby runners, as well as breathing exercises designed for the average person. These features are well designed and beneficial for both training and recovery.
The Mi Fitness app makes it easy to evaluate all your data, including heart rate and sleep tracking, presented in a visually engaging and understandable way.
Battery life and charging
We live in a world full of devices with USB-C ports, but Xiaomi has chosen to rely on an outdated Pogo Pin charging solution. So, if the device ends up failing or being replaced, the charger becomes outdated.
Luckily, the Redmi Watch 5 requires charging, so you don’t need much cable. This wearable has an exceptional battery life and requires cables every 2-3 weeks.
Xiaomi claimed that wearables can achieve 24 days of battery life, but assuming most health tracking features are disabled, that estimate is very generous. During the test, we went on to run, continuously monitoring our heart rate and stress levels, receiving notifications, and actively involved our devices by making calls. This typical use still provided an impressive 15-day battery life over two weeks.
As for charging, the 550 mAh battery reaches full capacity in about 60 minutes. Only an hour of downtime is truly amazing after more than 2 weeks of use. Even if you’ve always tested your watch 5 with an on-on display (AOD) and reduced the battery life by almost half in 9 days, this is beyond the majority of wearables out there.
However, when we established, there is little need for AOD. Because the gestures heading towards the Raise work well, and you look at the additional data on the watch’s face at a glance.
verdict
Xiaomi sells Redmi Watch 5 for 110 euros in some European markets, which sounds like a stolen. It’s an attractive, affordable, long-term wearable that covers basic smartwatch features while lacking the right OS and advanced apps.
Another view is that it’s very close to the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro (particularly because the straps work with both devices, making them even more similar). But it’s not a bad thing to have more options, even if it’s about design.
So, all of the Redmi Watch 5 are the best devices for notifications and basic health metric tracking, bringing you great battery life. Yes, it’s not ideal for tracking fitness and sleep, but at that price you’ll certainly find customers.
Strong Points
It appears to punch above your weight. The display is bright and sharp, making it easy to work with. Great battery life. Attractive price tag.
Cons
GNSS is not reliable enough. Sleep and health tracking may be better. “Hyperos 2” means nothing – the UI is easy to navigate, but very basic.
