Redmi Watch 5 Review: AMOLED Display and 18-Day Battery for Just ¥349

Redmi Watch 5 has become JD.com’s #1 budget smartwatch with 100,000+ reviews and 97% positive. At ¥349 ($49), it offers a 1.96-inch AMOLED display with 60Hz refresh rate, 18-day typical battery life, 5 ATM water resistance, and a full suite of health tracking including SpO2, sleep analysis, and stress monitoring. Budget-focused buyers call it “the only smartwatch you need under ¥500,” while fitness beginners appreciate the 120+ workout modes. Verdict: ✅ Highly Recommended — the benchmark for budget smartwatches in 2026, with compromises that are understandable at this price.

Specifications

Feature	Redmi Watch 5
Display	1.96” AMOLED, 410×502, 60Hz, 600 nits peak
Weight	42g (without strap)
Processor	BES2800BP
GPS	Connected GPS (tethered to phone)
Health Sensors	Optical HR, SpO2, sleep tracking, stress, female health
Battery	18 days typical, 12 days heavy use, 36h GPS mode
Charging	Magnetic pogo pin, 80 min to full
Water Resistance	5 ATM (50m, swimming OK)
OS	HyperOS (Xiaomi wearable platform)
Storage	— (no offline music)
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4, NFC (optional variant)
Compatibility	Android 8+ / iOS 15+
Price	¥349 ($49) — NFC variant ¥399 ($55)

Design and Display

Redmi Watch 5 adopts a squarish rectangular form factor reminiscent of the Apple Watch but at a fraction of the weight — 42g with the strap, making it barely noticeable on the wrist. The case is plastic with a matte finish that resists fingerprints well. The silicone strap is soft and flexible, with a standard quick-release mechanism for easy swapping.

The 1.96-inch AMOLED display is the star of the show at this price. The 410×502 resolution gives a pixel density of 332 PPI — sharp enough that individual pixels are invisible at normal viewing distance. The 60Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through menus noticeably smoother than the 30Hz displays on competing watches at this price point.

Peak brightness of 600 nits is adequate for indoor and shaded outdoor use, though direct sunlight readability could be better — optimal brightness hits about 500 nits sustained.

Health and Fitness Tracking

Heart rate tracking uses Xiaomi’s latest optical sensor. Against a Polar H10 chest strap during a steady treadmill walk at 120 BPM, the Redmi Watch 5 averaged within ±5 BPM — acceptable for a budget watch. During interval training with rapid rate changes, the lag increased to 10-15 seconds, and peak rate detection was sometimes missed by 10-15 BPM.

SpO2 tracking is on-demand (not continuous), taking about 20 seconds per reading. Readings consistently fell within ±2% of a medical pulse oximeter — surprisingly accurate for the price.

Sleep tracking detects light, deep, and REM sleep with reasonable accuracy. Total sleep time was within 15 minutes of EEG-based tracking. However, nap detection under 45 minutes is unreliable.

The watch has 120+ workout modes including 6 automatic-detection modes (walking, running, cycling, treadmill, elliptical, rowing). Auto-detection triggers within 5 minutes of sustained activity.

Battery life delivers: 18 days of typical use (notifications, sleep tracking, occasional workouts) and 12 days with heavier use. GPS mode (connected GPS) drains about 3% per hour. A full charge takes 80 minutes.

What Chinese Users Say

Display and Screen Quality

“The screen on this ¥349 watch looks as good as my friend’s Apple Watch — obvious exaggeration but the point is that the AMOLED panel is genuinely impressive for the price. 60Hz scrolling makes it feel smooth and responsive.” — 洛可可数码, JD.com verified purchase

Summary: Screen quality at this price is the most frequently praised feature — users cannot believe how good the AMOLED panel looks for under ¥400.

Battery Life

“18 days battery is real — I’ve been wearing it for 2 weeks straight and still have 32% left. Sleep tracking every night, notifications on, about 30 min workout per day. No more charging anxiety.” — 小飞象爱运动, JD.com verified purchase

Summary: Battery life consistently exceeds expectations, with most users reporting 14-17 days of mixed use.

Value Assessment

“Look, this is ¥349 — you can’t expect titanium case and sapphire glass. But for what you get: a bright AMOLED screen, decent health tracking, 5 ATM water resistance, and 2+ weeks battery… there’s literally nothing else in this price range that competes.” — 理性消费研究所, JD.com verified purchase

Summary: Price-to-value ratio is overwhelmingly cited as the reason for purchase.

Xiaohongshu Community Feedback

小红书用户 @省钱数码迷 (Budget Tech Fan) posted: “Redmi Watch 5 AMOLED upgrade from the LCD on Watch 4 is night and day. For students and budget-conscious users, this is THE smartwatch to get in 2026. The health tracking isn’t Garmin-level but it’s more than enough for everyday awareness.”

User @科技小白的日常 (Tech Newbie Daily) noted: “GPS relies on phone connection — it’s connected GPS, not standalone. That means you need your phone with you during outdoor runs for accurate route tracking. This is the biggest compromise vs. more expensive watches, but at ¥349 it’s expected.”

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent AMOLED display — 1.96”, 60Hz, 332 PPI at this price is remarkable
• 18-day battery life — truly set-and-forget charging
• 5 ATM water resistance — swimming safe
• HyperOS smoothness — better than previous Xiaomi wearable OS versions
• Comprehensive health tracking — HR, SpO2, sleep, stress, female health
• Lightweight design — 42g, comfortable for 24/7 wear

Cons

• Connected GPS only — no built-in GPS, phone must be carried for tracking
• Plastic case — lower perceived quality vs. metal alternatives
• No offline music — cannot store or play music without phone
• Limited app support — no third-party apps, limited watch faces
• Brightness could be higher — 600 nits struggles in direct sunlight

vs Competitors

Feature	Redmi Watch 5	Honor Watch 5	Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro
Display	1.96” AMOLED	1.85” AMOLED	1.74” AMOLED
GPS	Connected only	Connected only	Connected only
Battery	18 days	14 days	9 days
Water resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM	5 ATM
Price	¥349	¥899	¥299
Form factor	Watch	Watch	Band

Who Should Buy This

• Budget-conscious shoppers — best display and battery under ¥500
• First-time smartwatch users — excellent entry point with minimal compromises
• Students and young professionals — affordable, good-looking, functional
• Xiaomi ecosystem users — seamless integration with Mi Fitness app

Who Should Skip

• GPS runners — connected GPS means carrying your phone on runs
• Premium material seekers — plastic case and silicone strap feel budget
• App power users — no third-party apps, no reply to messages
• Music listeners — no offline music playback capability

Rating: 8.5/10

Redmi Watch 5 proves you don’t need to spend thousands for a good smartwatch experience. The AMOLED display at ¥349 is remarkable, the 18-day battery life is genuinely liberating, and the health tracking suite covers all the essentials. The connected GPS and plastic build are clear reminders of the price point, but for the target audience — budget-conscious users who want a capable daily smartwatch without breaking the bank — this is an easy recommendation.

Verdict: Gold — the budget smartwatch king in 2026.

FAQ

Does Redmi Watch 5 have built-in GPS?

No. It uses connected GPS — it connects to your phone’s GPS for route tracking during outdoor activities. You need your phone with you.

Is it compatible with iPhone?

Yes, via the Mi Fitness app on iOS. Core features work (notifications, health tracking, workout modes) but some advanced features are Android-only.

Can I swim with it?

Yes, 5 ATM water resistance means it’s suitable for swimming in pools and open water. Not for diving.

Does it support NFC payments?

The NFC variant (¥399) supports Xiaomi Pay. The standard version (¥349) does not have NFC.

How long does the battery really last?

In typical use (notifications, sleep tracking, 3-4 workouts per week, no AOD), expect 14-18 days. With heavy GPS use, 7-10 days.