Why you shouldn't buy the Redmi Watch 5 Active

 Why you shouldn't buy the Redmi Watch 5 Active

At first glance, the Redmi Watch 5 Active looks like an attractive, budget smartwatch. Unfortunately, after extended use, issues surface that can effectively ruin the entire experience.

1. Limited functionality – more of a wristband than a smartwatch.
Despite the "watch" name, the device functions more like an advanced fitness tracker. It lacks app support, message response is very limited, and phone integration is rather superficial.

2. Lack of GPS – a big drawback for active people.
The lack of built-in GPS means you have to carry your phone during workouts. At this price point, this is becoming increasingly difficult to accept.

3. Measurement accuracy leaves much to be desired.
Heart rate and sleep measurements can be inconsistent and unreliable. These are estimates rather than reliable data.

4. Performance and stability issues (biggest drawback)
In my experience, this is where the biggest issues begin. The watch would freeze while simply browsing the menu – touch response was delayed, animations were choppy, and sometimes the screen would stop responding entirely.

There were also occasional random restarts, for no apparent reason – during use, or even when the watch was simply resting on the wrist. After a restart, everything returned to normal… until it froze again. In practice, this meant the device was completely unreliable – especially irritating during physical activity.

Such situations mean that instead of a convenient gadget, we get a device that requires patience.

5. Build quality and screen:
The materials are average, and the screen—though large—doesn't impress with its brightness or sharpness. It can be difficult to read in direct sunlight.

6. Software and Support:
The system is simple, but sometimes lacks polish – as evidenced by stability issues. There's also no guarantee that updates will fix these bugs.

Summary
The Redmi Watch 5 Active may seem like a bargain, but in practice it's disappointing. The biggest problem isn't even the functionality, but rather the stability of the device – freezes and random restarts effectively ruin the user experience.

If you're looking for equipment that simply needs to work without any hassle, it's better to look for something more refined – even at a higher price.

The realme Watch 5 will be a better choice, it is slightly more expensive but has a better screen and other functions.