Redmi Watch 5 Active Midnight Black (BHR8784GL, BHR8785IN) Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Redmi Watch 5 Active Midnight Black (BHR8784GL, BHR8785IN) arrived on my desk promising a vibrant display and convenient Bluetooth calling. Over the past few weeks, I’ve put it through its paces, testing its fitness tracking capabilities, its everyday usability, and its overall performance. This review delves into my experience with this budget-friendly smartwatch, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.
Features
The Redmi Watch 5 Active boasts a crisp 2.0″ LCD display, which is surprisingly bright and easily readable even in direct sunlight. The interface is intuitive and navigating the menus is straightforward. The standout feature, however, is the built-in Bluetooth calling. Making and receiving calls directly from my wrist was surprisingly seamless, and the audio quality was acceptable for short conversations. Beyond that, the standard smartwatch fare is present: heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and SpO2 monitoring. The adjustable TPU band is comfortable to wear even during extended periods.
| Material | TPU |
|---|---|
| Colour Name | Midnight Black |
| Band Size | One Size (Adjustable Band) |
| Smartwatch Dial Size | 11.4 mm |
| Features | Heart Rate Monitor, Sleep Monitor, SpO2 Monitor |
| Model Number | BHR8784GL, BHR8785IN |
| Model Name | Redmi Watch 5 Active |
Performance
The heart rate monitor proved to be fairly accurate when compared to a dedicated chest strap, although occasional discrepancies were observed during high-intensity workouts. Sleep tracking provided detailed information, including sleep stages and sleep quality scores. The accuracy of the SpO2 monitor seemed consistent with other devices I’ve tested. The Bluetooth calling function worked flawlessly during my tests, although call quality deteriorated slightly in areas with poor cellular reception. Battery life is a highlight; I consistently achieved over 5 days of use on a single charge, even with moderate use of the Bluetooth calling feature.
The watch’s responsiveness was generally good, with minimal lag. However, there were some minor instances of sluggishness when navigating through menus with multiple apps open. The touchscreen was responsive and accurate most of the time, but occasional missed taps were experienced.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Vibrant display, comfortable band, convenient Bluetooth calling, excellent battery life, accurate fitness tracking (mostly), affordable price.
- Cons: Occasional inaccuracies in heart rate monitoring, minor lag in the interface at times, occasional unresponsive touchscreen.
Final Verdict
The Redmi Watch 5 Active Midnight Black (BHR8784GL, BHR8785IN) offers impressive features and performance for its price point. The inclusion of Bluetooth calling is a major plus, and the battery life is exceptional. While there are some minor drawbacks in terms of occasional inaccuracies and minor interface glitches, these are easily overlooked considering the overall value it provides. I would comfortably recommend this smartwatch to anyone looking for a budget-friendly option with a good feature set and long battery life.
