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It seems that just about every single smartphone manufacturer nowadays also has its own line of smart wearables to go along with the rest of its product ecosystem, and although the budget smartwatch market might feel a bit too crowded at times, there are some devices which manage to stand out thanks to a winning combination of price and overall quality.
With the Redmi Watch 4, Xiaomi has introduced some much-welcome upgrades over its previous Watch 3 model, while keeping the price at a wallet-friendly level, making it a tempting choice for users on a budget. On the other hand though, does a low price signal a less-than-ideal wearable experience? Let’s find out.
Redmi Watch 4 Specs
- 1.97-inch AMOLED display, to 600 nits
- Aluminum alloy frame, TPU strap
- Heart rate sensor & blood oxygen sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, electronic compass
- GPS, Bluetooth, loud speaker
- 470mAh battery
Design and Display Quality
One look at the Redmi Watch 4, and you can easily spot some design influences from certain other brands out there, mostly due to the rounded-square design of the device. It does feel rather durable, especially with the aluminum chassis and 5ATM water resistance. The side of the Redmi Watch 4 features a singular crown that also doubles as an action button, while the bottom houses the sensors and charging pins.
Up front is a large 1.97-inch AMOLED display, which gets bright at up to 600 nits of peak brightness. It’s responsive enough, and easily visible even when outdoors. The bezels surrounding the display are somewhat large, but given the price of the Watch 4 that’s somewhat expected. Overall it’s a sturdy feeling device that’s also lightweight, so wearing it all day on one’s wrist shouldn’t be a problem for most users.
The watch also features a quick-release mechanism on the sides that allows users to change their straps. It works quite well, although the stock white band that came with our unit had difficulty attaching to the watch – thankfully though, other compatible straps had no problem staying on our device.
Software Features
For software, the Redmi Watch 4 comes with a special version of Hyper OS designed for Xiaomi wearables – this means that it’s a more basic affair in terms of user interface and functionality, unlike Wear OS on the more expensive Xiaomi Watch 2. With that said though, the interface is fluid and responsive, with very minimal lag when scrolling about the different device menus. Users can pair the watch to either their Android or iOS device via the Mi Fitness app.
Perhaps one downside of the Redmi Watch 4’s software structure is the lack of downloadable apps – unlike Wear OS devices which can access the Google Play Store, the Redmi Watch 4’s built-in apps are all you get with the device. For power users after in-depth functionality on their wearable, this is definitely something to consider. That’s not to say that the device is devoid of any personalization whatsoever though, as users can customize the Redmi Watch 4 with a considerable amount of watch faces to choose from.
For notifications, I had no problem viewing all the notifications that came into my smartphone, although it should be said that you can’t type replies to senders, one of the limitations of the Redmi Watch 4’s software. Thankfully it does have Bluetooth calling, allowing users to answer calls with the built-in microphone and loudspeaker.
Fitness Features and Battery
If you’re planning on using the Redmi Watch 4 mainly for workouts and training sessions, then you’ll be glad to know that the device comes with over 150 different workout modes including outdoor and indoor running, walking, cycling, and a whole lot more. Of course, there’s also built-in tracking for heart rate, SpO₂, sleep, and the usual.
Perhaps one caveat – at least in my experience – is that sometimes heart rate tracking can be a bit iffy at times. It isn’t perfect, although it’s miles above what you’d get on other cheap fitness trackers out there.
the watch can easily last more than a week with moderate everyday usage, and you can even stretch it up to around two weeks… Xiaomi even claims that the device can go for a maximum of 20 days on a single charge
One are where the Redmi Watch 4 definitely excels at though is with battery life – the watch can easily last more than a week with moderate everyday usage, and you can even stretch it up to around two weeks, making this very ideal for buyers who are very particular about their battery life. Xiaomi even claims that the device can go for a maximum of 20 days on a single charge, which outperforms a lot of other wearables out there.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps another point of consideration is its availability, as the Redmi Watch 4 is not readily available for purchase in most of North America. Buyers will most likely have to import one from overseas, with prices ranging from around $100 to $150 at most, depending of course on where they’re buying it from.
With all that being said however, this price still puts it at an advantage, given that most smartwatches on the market hover just above the 150-dollar price point. If you’re after more versatility in your wearable and wouldn’t mind charging your device more often, perhaps a Wear OS device might be a bit more suited for you.
On the other hand, for users after a no-nonsense wearable with access to essential health-tracking features, a decent display and design as well as impressive battery life, the Redmi Watch 4 is a rather tempting choice.
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