I recently reviewed Redmi watch 5 active after using it for few weeks, to be honest I found it pretty impressive considering the price. Now, I have compared it with Redmi watch 5 lite. Read this comprehensive review on Xiaomi Redmi watch 5 active vs lite to find out the major differences between the both watches.
Our Verdict
For a slightly higher price, Redmi watch 5 lite offers premium look, built in GPS, AMOLED display and water sports tracking. Therefore, we recommended the Redmi watch 5 lite.
redmi watch 5 lite
Provides similar features compared to Redmi watch 5 active but also offers AMOLED display, Premium look, Built-in GPS and water sports tracking
redmi watch 5 active
Low cost Xiaomi’s watch with smooth & responsive user interface. GPS via smart phone, LCD display, plastic body with metal coating. Accuracy of heart rate tracking and steps count is comparable to more expensive watches.
Redmi Watch 5 lite: Buy at Amazon
Redmi Watch 5 active : Buy at Amazon
Quick Summary
Both of the watches, Redmi watch 5 active and Redmi watch 5 lite offer similar features. The watch 5 lite costs a little more compared to the lite version. The lite version offers more of a premium look with compact size. The lite version also offers built in GPS (GNSS), AMOLED display with an option of always on display and sharper screen resolution.
Redmi watch 5 active vs lite – Quick Comparison
See the quick comparison between the Redmi watch 5 active vs lite below:
Xiaomi Redmi | Redmi Watch 5 Active | Redmi Watch 5 Lite | |
Screen Size | 2″ | 1.96″ | |
Display Type | LCD | AMOLED | |
Resolution | 320 x 385 /250 ppi | 410 x 502 / 332 ppi | |
System | Xiaomi HyperOS | Xiaomi HyperOS | |
Health Tracking | Heart rate, Sleep tracking, SpO2 | Heart rate, Sleep tracking, SpO2 | |
Activity Tracking | Yes | Yes | |
Watersports tracking | No | Yes | |
GPS | Via phone | Yes | |
WiFi | No | No | |
NFC payments | No | No | |
Gyroscope | No | Yes | |
App | Mi Fitness | Mi Fitness | |
Compatibility | Android / IOS | Android / IOS | |
Watch Colours | Black, Grey | Various | |
Bluetooh calling | Yes | Yes | |
Raise to wake | Yes | Yes | |
Battery | 470 mAh | 470 mAh | |
Weight (Without straps) | 30.6 g | 29.2 g | |
Changeable straps | Yes | Yes |
Design & Display
The watch body on both the watches is made up durable plastic with metal coating. The lite version has shiny coating, giving it more of a premium look. Redmi watch 5 lite weights slightly less compared to the watch 5 active. Both watches have quick release straps, which can be replaced by any 24mm strap.
The screen size on Redmi watch 5 active is 2″ while the lite version offers screen size of 1.96″. The active watch comes with a LCD display, with raise to wake option but has no always on display. While the lite version comes with AMOLED display, the screen looks sharper and brighter. It also has the option for always on display.
Health Tracking on active vs lite
Considering these are budgets smart watches, the health tracking features offered are very impressive. Both the watches offer same health tracking features including 24 hours heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, sleep monitoring and oxygen saturation monitoring. I compared the heart rate monitoring with Apple watch and the heart rate values provided were very similar. I found the oxygen saturation monitoring to be within 1-2% when compared with Braun pulse oximeter. There is no temperature sensor on both the watches.
Bluetooth calling on Redmi 5 watches
Both watches offers Bluetooth calling. When your watch is connected to a phone via Mi Fitness app then you can make and receive Bluetooth calls. I found the call quality on both the smart watches very similar.
Activity tracking
Both the watches offer sports tracking features. Redmi watch 5 active offers tracking for 150+ workout types. However, the lite version also offers tracking for water sports while the active version doesn’t. Both the watches do come with 5ATM water resistance.
Watch 5 lite vs Active: Connectivity
Both the watches run on Xiaomi’s HyperOS and connect to a phone via Mi Fitness app. The watches are compatible with Android and IOS. The active model doesn’t have built-in GPS and relies on smart phone’s GPS for route tracking, while the lite model comes with built in GPS (GNSS). Both the watches lack ability for making NFC payments and there is no built in Wi-Fi. However, both the watches do have built in Alexa, the response is displayed on the watch screen and it is read only as there is no voice.
Other Features
Both watches offer 200+ watch faces, which can be loaded to the watch via Mi Fitness app. Both watches can store up to 6 watch faces at a time. To load more faces, you’ll first have to delete some of the watch faces on the watch.
Both the budget smart watches offers same 470 mAh battery which can last up to 18 days. However, I found the battery will last from 10-12 days on mild to moderate usage.
Conclusion
Both the budget smart watches offers value for money and reliable health and fitness tracking. For slightly higher price, the lite version offers AMOLED display, built-in GPS and water sports tracking.
