Redmi Watch 3 Active Review: A Budget Smartwatch with a Refreshing Twist
In Nepal, the demand for budget-friendly smartwatches is soaring, with new models hitting the market frequently. However, many of these releases lack unique features, making it challenging to stand out. Xiaomi has recently introduced the Redmi Watch 3 Active, promising an innovative widget-based experience. After using it for over two weeks, this comprehensive review will provide you with all the essential details about the Redmi Watch 3 Active.
Specifications:
Design:
The Redmi Watch 3 Active features a plastic build with an NCVM-coated frame and a TPU strap. It measures 46.94 x 38.88 x 10.94mm and weighs 41.67 grams. Notably, it boasts a 5ATM water resistance rating, allowing you to use it while swimming or showering. The watch can even lock itself when removed from the wrist for added privacy. Xiaomi has also introduced a universal strap design, offering users more options for after-market straps.
Display:
The device sports a sizable 1.83-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 240 x 280 pixels and a brightness of 450 nits. While the screen size is impressive, the bezels are quite thick, particularly the chin at the bottom. Despite the presence of a 2.5D glass for protection, the display remains susceptible to scratches, especially along the curved edges. Although the display's color quality surpasses that of most budget smartwatches, it may not deliver the depth of a true 16-bit display as claimed by Xiaomi. Furthermore, while Xiaomi states it's a 60Hz panel, the transition animations between different screens appear slow, possibly due to heavy animations. An update to streamline these animations would be welcome.
Software and UI:
The Redmi Watch 3 Active offers a customizable widget-based interface, setting it apart from competitors in its price range. Traditional cards are replaced with customizable widgets that can be stacked on a single screen, offering quick access to features such as music control, weather, battery information, health and fitness data, and workout shortcuts. These widgets can be customized directly on the watch, eliminating the need for a smartphone for setup. While not as robust as WearOS or Zepp OS, this in-house solution provides impressive customization options.
Smart Features:
The watch supports Bluetooth calling, wear detection, and stacked notifications. It allows you to answer calls directly from the watch, with volume control, muting, and call termination options. While the speaker and microphone quality are suitable for indoor and quiet outdoor environments, noisy settings may require using your phone. The watch permits the setup of up to 10 favorite contacts for quick access, with the option to designate an emergency contact for easy access. However, other notifications are not actionable and do not support emojis. They can be viewed and opened on your paired smartphone by swiping down from the home screen.
Health/Fitness Tracking:
The Redmi Watch 3 Active excels in fitness tracking, offering continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO2 monitoring, sleep tracking, and over 100 sports modes, including 10 professional modes. While it lacks built-in GPS, it can leverage your smartphone's GPS. Some minor inaccuracies in step counting and a malfunctioning sedentary reminder have been noted. Nonetheless, the overall accuracy of the device's tracking capabilities is commendable. Daily records are accessible directly on the watch, while weekly and monthly reports are available on the paired smartphone.
Battery:
Powered by a 289mAh non-removable battery, the Redmi Watch 3 Active offers up to 12 days of battery life under typical usage conditions. The device charges quickly, reaching 20% in just 10 minutes and completing a full charge in approximately an hour.
Conclusions:
The Redmi Watch 3 Active stands out as a budget-friendly smartwatch with an attractive design, customizable widget screens, robust health and fitness tracking features, and a long-lasting battery. However, it lacks automatic brightness adjustment and exhibits some issues with the sedentary reminder and animation smoothness. Despite these minor drawbacks, it offers a compelling overall package and is an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable smartwatch with a range of features.
Pros:
Premium-looking design
Customizable widget screens
Comprehensive health/fitness tracking
Extended battery life
Cons:
Lack of automatic brightness adjustment
Issues with the sedentary reminder
Animation smoothness could be improved