Full specifications, features and battery life for the REDMI Watch 5, Xiaomi’s budget GPS smartwatch with a 2.07in AMOLED screen, now succeeded by REDMI Watch 6.
| Manufacturer | Xiaomi |
| Type | GPS smartwatch |
| Series | REDMI Watch |
| Predecessor | Redmi Watch 4 |
| Successor | REDMI Watch 6 |
| Dimensions | 47.5 x 41.1 x 11.3mm |
| Weight | 33.5g approx., excluding strap |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Expert opinion | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Further reading
Expert opinion
REDMI Watch 5 pairs a big 2.07in AMOLED screen with built-in GPS, so runners can track pace and route without a phone. Ten on-wrist running courses, from run/walk to intervals, give beginners structured sessions with heart rate targets, and 18 water sports modes with a 5 ATM rating cover pool and open-water swims. It takes Bluetooth calls through two microphones, stores music for phone-free runs and has a voice recorder. There is no barometer, no ANT+ and no external sensor support, which limits it for cyclists and anyone who trains with a chest strap, and analysis lives in Mi Fitness, although Xiaomi says it syncs to Suunto. REDMI Watch 6 has replaced it with a slimmer body, a brighter screen, a second button and more storage. Battery is a claimed 24 days in typical use, with no figure for continuous GPS. Where it is still sold at a discount, it remains a sensible pick for newer runners and gym users who want GPS and long battery life.
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Type | AMOLED, 2.5D curved glass |
| Size | 2.07in, square |
| Resolution | 432 x 514px, 324 PPI |
| Brightness | 1,500 nits HBM |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz |
| Screen-to-body ratio | 82% |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 47.5 x 41.1 x 11.3mm |
| Weight | 33.5g approx., excluding strap |
| Case material | Aluminium alloy middle frame, stainless steel rotating crown |
| Strap | TPU, quick-release, fits 135 to 205mm wrists |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM / 50m (ISO 22810:2010) |
| Colours | Obsidian Black, Silver Gray, Lavender Purple |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GNSS | Single-frequency, multi-constellation (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS) |
| Optical heart rate | Heart rate sensor with blood oxygen sensor |
| Other sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, electronic compass |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Connectivity and battery | |
| Wireless | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Calls | Bluetooth calls via built-in speaker and two microphones with wind noise reduction, phone must be connected |
| Storage | 164MB available |
| Operating system | Xiaomi HyperOS |
| Battery | 550mAh |
| Battery, typical use | Up to 24 days claimed |
| Charging | Magnetic charging cable |
| Compatibility | Android 8.0 and above, iOS 12.0 and above |
Battery life
Xiaomi claims up to 24 days in typical use, about 20% more than Redmi Watch 4. That test assumes heart rate checks every 10 minutes, advanced sleep, stress and blood oxygen monitoring switched off, and only 90 minutes of recorded exercise a week. Xiaomi does not publish a continuous GNSS figure. A runner training most days with GNSS on and full health monitoring enabled should plan on a weekly or fortnightly charge rather than three weeks.
Features
Full feature detail is covered on the Xiaomi specifications index.
Sport and training
- More than 150 sports modes cover running, cycling, gym work and more.
- Standalone GNSS lets you track outdoor sessions without carrying your phone.
- Ten on-wrist running courses, from basic run/walk to advanced intervals, guide session length and heart rate range.
- Eighteen water sports modes include pool swimming and open water, backed by 5 ATM water resistance.
- Xiaomi claims heart rate accuracy is 5.2% better than Redmi Watch 4 thanks to an upgraded sensor chip and algorithm.
Health and recovery
- All-day heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and stress monitoring track recovery around the clock.
- Xiaomi claims sleep recognition is 10% more accurate than Redmi Watch 4.
- A vitality score shows your current activity state.
- Four breathing exercise modes (Relax, Concentrate, Take a nap, and Sleep soundly) help you wind down.
Smart features
- Bluetooth calling with two microphones keeps calls clear, even when running.
- Music stored on the watch plays through connected earphones, so you can leave the phone behind, although music transfer needs an Android phone.
- A built-in voice recorder captures notes and lectures.
- A linear motor with more than 20 vibration patterns makes alerts easy to feel.
- Widgets include camera control, find my phone, flashlight, compass, stopwatch, timer, alarm, weather, world clock, music, and tasks.
- More than 200 watch faces are available, with portrait faces on HyperOS phones.
Compatibility
- The watch pairs through the Mi Fitness app with Android 8.0 and above or iOS 12.0 and above.
- Xiaomi says it is compatible with popular platforms including Suunto.
Further reading
- Xiaomi specifications index
- REDMI Watch 6 specifications
- REDMI Watch 5 Lite specifications
- Sports watch specifications
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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