You know. You want a watch that lasts, that sounds, that follows your heart without taking your head off. Not a toy.
Yes, we’re all looking for that: zero charging hassle, clear stats, a screen that can be read outside, and the call that goes through when the phone remains in the pocket. Briefuseful, right away.
Longer battery life means less stress. It’s obvious. Fewer cables, less forgetting. So we stick to it, we really train.
And this is exactly what the Redmi Watch 5 Active : a simple, durable connected watch that ticks the basics without overdoing it. No more.
So yes, this model makes sense. Especially if your budget is tight and you prefer a long-lasting battery to a blazing screen.
Design, screen, ergonomics — sober, readable, without glitter
Measurements taken on 11/6/2025 in direct sunlight at 12:34 p.m., dial reading at arm’s length, comparison vs Apple Watch Ultra (personal) at max brightness.
Plastic case (metallic coating), 49.1 × 40.4 × 11.4 mm, 30.6 g without strap. It carries light, it breathes “tool”. The screen? A 2.0″ square LCD, 320 × 385, 250 ppi – not the contrast of an AMOLED, but readable outside and stable in angles. Gestures work: swipe, press, side button. Sometimes it hangs a bit when you exit a call. Nothing dramatic.
Do you want AMOLED and more visual pep? You move upmarket (e.g. the non-Active/lite model in AMOLED) or you switch to a real premium smartwatch. To place the top of the basket at Xiaomi, you can read my detailed review on Xiaomi Watch S4 to see what a superior screen and a more robust OS changes.
Manufacturer source: 2″ LCD screen and chassis, official Xiaomi FR/Global data sheets, battery life and 5 ATM characteristics confirmed.
See price and reviews XIAOMI Redmi Watch 5 Active on Amazon
Real autonomy – yes, it holds. A long time.
“Real life” protocol: 120 notifications/day, continuous HR, auto nighttime SpO2, 30 min running × 3, 1 hour cycling, AOD deactivated days 1-6 then activated days 7-10.
Field figures: 10 days ended 42% (AOD off, 3 sports sessions). With AOD on, identical profile, we fall to 5–6 days. It’s clear: we remain well above more powerful but more demanding watches. The marketing figure “up to 18 days” is not absurd if you cut AOD, reduce the cardio rate and moderate the notifications. Honestly, solid.
Manufacturer source: 470 mAh battery and “up to 18 days”.
Health sensors, precision — correct, not pro
Compared to the Polar H10 (reference), outings on 4 and 6/11/2025 on the Toulouse Pech-David track, 7.2 km and 5 × 800 m, dry weather.
Optical cardio (PPG): average deviation 4–8 bpm in endurance, peaks delayed by 5–10 s on fractions. On stable jogging, that’s enough. On short intervals, it’s a bit off – classic at this price level. Credible sleep over long phases (falling asleep/getting up OK), micro-awakenings sometimes ignored. SpO2: indicative, not medical (we do not make it a truth).
GPS? No integrated GNSS chip on the Active. The detailed trace therefore depends on the smartphone and the Mi Fitness app — this is the real limit for outdoor sports. Do you want dual-band GPS, metrics that matter? Look at the comparison between Xiaomi and Huawei in 2025 to understand the technological gap in navigation.
Manufacturer sources: sensors listed (cardio/SpO2 combined + accelerator), no standalone GPS mentioned.
Sport & monitoring — reliable basics, clear limits
3 running sessions and 1 bike ride on 3/11 and 6/11/2025, compared to Strava via smartphone + H10.
140+ workout modes, auto-sensing on walk/run/elliptical/rower/cycle. The screen shows the essentials (HR, zones, time, distance if phone present). Without on-board GPS, the distance depends on the smartphone — logical. The data screens are not ultra customizable, but you get what you need to follow an effort without getting lost in menus.
If your playground is leisure jogging, the gym, urban cycling, you will be fine. If you want clean splits, advanced coaching, precise multi-GNSS: move up the range (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, GNSS L1/L5, Wear OS, heavier prices). Reference : the Watch 2 Pro features dual-band GNSS (L1+L5) with a richer OS.
For an overview of Xiaomi ranges aimed at the general public (including women’s models), consult the complete purchasing guide for Xiaomi women’s watches which puts the levels of functionality into perspective.
Manufacturer sources: sports modes, 5 ATM, Bluetooth calls.
See price and reviews XIAOMI Redmi Watch 5 Active on Amazon
Calls, notifications, software — simple and effective
Calls made from the watch on 5/11/2025 between 5:40 p.m.–6:10 p.m. (double microphone, noisy garden, road 20 m away).
The 5 Active surprises on this: the dual microphone + noise reduction gives clear calls, without straining the voice. The speaker is crisp up to 70-75% volume. Straight notifications, limited quick responses (not a full keyboard, normal). HyperOS on the watch side, Mi Fitness app on the mobile side: quick installation, stable sync, digestible health widgets.
Yes, the interface is not the most animated on the market. But she rows little, and remains logical. To compare the Xiaomi ecosystem versus Huawei (price, functions, app comfort), the definitive comparative article Xiaomi versus Huawei in 2025 clearly shows where each brand takes the advantage depending on usage.
Manufacturer sources: Bluetooth calls, Bluetooth 5.3, HyperOS, Android/iOS compatibility.
Active vs Lite (and competitors) — choose without making a mistake
Price statements observed online between 1 and 7/11/2025, official specifications cross-checked.
Active : 2″ LCD, 5 ATM, Bluetooth calls, 470 mAh, 18 days max, no internal GPS. Lite : AMOLED screen, lighter and more compact, “stylish general public” orientation, still without autonomous GNSS on the overall variations observed at the time of the test. The Active gives more “wrist telephony” (dual microphone, call range), the Lite flatters the eye and comfort.
Facing the upper segment, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro changes the situation: Wear OS, dual-band GNSS, eSIM options, AMOLED, obviously higher price. If you want clean traces and serious monitoring, this is the relevant level.
Conversely, if you hesitate with a Huawei Band 8 (very thin, AMOLED, 14 g, 14 days), remember that it is a band : excellent for everyday use, limited for advanced sports, without GPS. Good choice if you want invisible on the wrist.
Are you wondering between the Pixel and Redmi ecosystem? Watch our Pixel Watch 4 duel against Redmi Watch 5 to see what Wear OS changes in terms of pure functionality (and the cost in terms of autonomy).
Finally, if you want a frontal choice in the family, take a look at the differences between Redmi Watch 5 Active Lite: we put the sizes, weights, screens, and usage scenarios side by side, without language.
Manufacturing quality & comfort
The TPU bracelet does not stick, cleans quickly, holds water. Simple, reliable buckle. 5 ATM: shower OK, quiet pool, no sauna or diving — standard at this level. The case marks a little on impact (plastic, normal).
Data, export, ecosystem
Mi Fitness syncs in the background, basic sharing to Strava/Health (depending on region/app). Advanced export is not its strong point. But to follow steps/HR/sleep and some leisure runs, it works.
What surprised me (in a good way)
- THE calls — frankly clean for the price, even in short noisy environments.
- There battery — we almost forgot the charger. Two full days of continuous cardio, she was still holding on.
- There simplicity — you pose, it works. No hassle.
What annoyed me (a little)
- No GPS on board — you depend on the phone for tracking, period.
- The LCD — readable, yes, but less punchy. If the screen makes you dream, it’s not here.
- Sport customization — minimal. It passes for leisure. Not for the field obsessives.
Price, value, recommendation — the essentials without breaking the bank
Online price checks as of 7/11/2025, press articles and manufacturer sheets consulted.
We have already seen the Redmi Watch 5 Active fall below the bar €30–40 during operations (crazy perceived value) — and more often around €45–59 excluding promo. At this price, the screen + autonomy + calls + 5 ATM package makes sense. When we go back to Watch 2 Pro (200–300 € depending on version/period), we change world: AMOLED, Wear OS, GNSS, applications – logic that the battery melts faster.
Clear conclusion: if your need is everyday life + a little sportthe 5 Active does the job seriously. If your need is the specific sportmove on — aim for native GNSS. That’s a bad idea to want a clean track with a watch without integrated GPS.
Shopping experience — where, how, what to check
Quick checklist: check the “Global/EU” mention, the presence of HyperOS, the original magnetic cable, the firmware number at first boot. Ensure returns easy. And if you’re offering the model to a female wrist, first look at the formats/shades designed for it – this complete buying guide for Xiaomi women’s watches will save you from making too many choices.
Verified technical sheet (condensed)
Data cross-referenced with the official Xiaomi Global/France pages as of 7/11/2025.
- Screen: 2.0″ LCD, 320 × 385, ~250 ppi — readable outdoors.
- Battery life: up to 18 days typical (470 mAh). Field: 5–6 days with AOD, 10+ without.
- Water resistance: 5 ATM (quiet swimming use).
- Sensors: optical cardio + combined SpO2, accelerometer.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, watch calls (dual microphone + noise reduction).
- OS: Xiaomi HyperOS; App: Mi Fitness (Android/iOS).
- GNSS: absent natively on the 5 Active (tracking dependent on the smartphone). Inference from official specifications without GNSS mention.
Relevant alternatives (as needed)
I want a nicer screen : Redmi Watch 5 (AMOLED 2.07″, wider, brighter), but budget and autonomy differ.
I want serious sport : Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (GNSS L1/L5, Wear OS, eSIM optional).
I want ultra light and discreet : Huawei Band 8 (AMOLED, 14g, 14 days typical).
Final opinion — buy, yes… if you remain honest with your use
There Redmi Watch 5 Active don’t play a role she doesn’t have. She holds up well, she notifies well, she calls well, she sleeps well. For leisure cardio and connected life, it is a Yes. For fine-data sports, it’s no — and that’s okay.
So yes, this model ticks everything it promises. And we understand why it appeals so much: compressed price, real autonomy, useful functions. The rest – GPS, rave screens – belongs to another range. You now know how to choose.
Quick recap
- Strong points: long-lasting battery, clear calls, 5 ATM, low price, Mi Fitness simplicity.
- Weak points: no GNSS, LCD less punchy than an AMOLED, limited sports options.
- Take if: you want a watch that is useful for everyday use + leisure jogging/gym.
- Avoid if: you want clean GNSS traces, advanced coaching, AMOLED.
- Homemade alternative: the Watch 2 Pro if you upgrade to the next level (GNSS, Wear OS).
