The Redmi Watch 4 stands out as a strong contender for Indian consumers prioritising a premium smartwatch experience without breaking the bank. Its combination of an expansive AMOLED display, sophisticated build quality, and comprehensive health tracking makes it a compelling option. For those seeking a feature-rich wearable that balances aesthetics with practical functionality, the Redmi Watch 4 is an excellent choice, particularly for users within the Redmi and Xiaomi ecosystem.
Design and Display
The Redmi Watch 4 marks a significant upgrade in design for Redmi’s wearable lineup. It features an aluminium alloy frame, a departure from the plastic builds of its predecessors, lending it a more premium feel. The physical rotating crown, a first for Redmi smartwatches, enhances navigation and adds a touch of elegance. At 47.5mm, it’s a sizable watch, which might be a consideration for users with smaller wrists, but this size also accommodates its impressive display.
The star of the show is its 1.97-inch square AMOLED display, offering a resolution of 390 x 450 pixels and a peak brightness of 600 nits. This brightness ensures excellent readability even under direct Indian summer sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use. Reviewers like 91mobiles have noted its vibrant colours and sharp text, making notifications and watch faces exceptionally clear. The display supports Always-On Display (AOD), which is customisable and practical.
- Premium aluminium alloy frame
- Functional rotating crown for navigation
- Large 1.97-inch AMOLED display
- 600 nits peak brightness for outdoor visibility
Performance and Features
Under the hood, the Redmi Watch 4 runs on Xiaomi’s HyperOS, offering a smooth and intuitive user experience. The interface is fluid, with quick access to essential functions and minimal lag, as reported by Gadgets360. Connectivity is robust, primarily relying on Bluetooth 5.3 for a stable connection to Android and iOS smartphones. It includes an array of sensors vital for fitness and health tracking, such as an optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and ambient light sensor.
While the Watch 4 supports Bluetooth calling directly from the wrist, leveraging the connected smartphone’s network, it lacks standalone cellular connectivity (LTE). This means you’ll need your phone nearby for calls and GPS tracking. Integrated GPS supports five major satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS), providing accurate location tracking for outdoor activities, which is a significant advantage over many budget wearables that rely solely on phone GPS.
- Smooth HyperOS interface
- Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable smartphone connection
- Integrated multi-system GPS for accurate outdoor tracking
- Bluetooth calling support with built-in speaker and microphone
Health and Fitness Tracking
The Redmi Watch 4 is equipped to be a comprehensive health and fitness companion. It offers continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking, sleep monitoring with detailed breakdown of sleep stages, and stress level tracking. For women’s health, it includes menstrual cycle tracking. All this data is aggregated and presented within the Xiaomi Wear (Mi Fitness) app, which is intuitive and provides actionable insights.
For fitness enthusiasts, the watch supports over 150 sports modes, including common Indian activities like yoga, cricket, and running. It automatically detects some activities, simplifying the tracking process. The 5ATM water resistance rating means it can withstand swimming and monsoon showers, making it versatile for various weather conditions and water-based workouts. MySmartPrice highlighted the accuracy of its step tracking and heart rate monitoring in real-world scenarios, noting its consistency.
- 24/7 heart rate and SpO2 monitoring
- Detailed sleep and stress tracking
- Over 150 sports modes, including auto-detection
- 5ATM water resistance for swimming and rain
Battery Life and Charging
One of the Redmi Watch 4’s most compelling features is its exceptional battery life. Packed with a 470mAh cell, Redmi claims up to 20 days of typical use and up to 10 days with AOD enabled. In practice, users consistently report getting well over a week, often closer to two weeks, even with regular fitness tracking and notifications. This long endurance is a major convenience for users in India, where frequent charging might not always be feasible, especially during travel or power outages.
Charging is handled via a proprietary magnetic charger, which attaches securely to the watch’s back. A full charge typically takes around two hours. This robust battery performance significantly reduces range anxiety, allowing users to focus on their activities rather than searching for a power outlet. It’s a key differentiator in a market where many smartwatches struggle to last more than a few days.
- Impressive 470mAh battery
- Up to 20 days of typical use
- Around 10 days with Always-On Display activated
- Magnetic charging, full charge in ~2 hours
Software Experience and Ecosystem
The Redmi Watch 4 runs on Xiaomi’s proprietary HyperOS, which is optimised for wearables. This system provides a clean, responsive interface with customisable watch faces and widgets. While it doesn’t support third-party apps in the way Wear OS watches do, its native applications for health, fitness, and utility are comprehensive. Notifications from your smartphone are mirrored effectively, including support for emojis and quick replies (on Android).
Integration with the Xiaomi Wear (Mi Fitness) app is seamless, offering a centralised hub for all health data, device settings, and watch face customisation. For users already within the Xiaomi/Redmi ecosystem, the experience feels cohesive. The watch also supports useful features like flashlight, alarm, timer, and music control. Android Central noted that while the app ecosystem isn’t as open as some competitors, the core functionality is robust and sufficient for most users.
- Clean and responsive HyperOS interface
- Extensive customisation via Xiaomi Wear (Mi Fitness) app
- Effective notification mirroring with quick replies (Android)
- Integrated utilities like flashlight and music control
Redmi Watch 4 vs. Amazfit Active
When considering smartwatches in the Rs 8,000 – Rs 10,000 segment in India, the Redmi Watch 4 faces strong competition. Let’s compare it with the Amazfit Active, another popular choice known for its fitness focus.
| Feature | Redmi Watch 4 | Amazfit Active |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Approx. India) | Rs 9,999 | Rs 8,999 |
| Display | 1.97-inch AMOLED (390×450), 600 nits | 1.75-inch AMOLED (390×450), 500 nits |
| Build Material | Aluminium alloy frame | Aluminium alloy frame |
| GPS | Integrated multi-system GPS | Integrated multi-system GPS |
| Battery Life (Typical) | Up to 20 days | Up to 14 days |
| OS | HyperOS (Xiaomi proprietary) | Zepp OS (Amazfit proprietary) |
| Bluetooth Calling | Yes | Yes |
| App Ecosystem | Xiaomi Wear (Mi Fitness) | Zepp App |
While both offer premium builds and comprehensive tracking, the Redmi Watch 4 pulls ahead with its larger, brighter display and significantly longer battery life. The Amazfit Active, however, often comes at a slightly lower price point and offers a similar feature set within its Zepp OS ecosystem. The choice often comes down to display preference and battery longevity needs.
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Who Should Buy:
- Users prioritizing a large, vibrant display: The 1.97-inch AMOLED screen is excellent for readability.
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking premium features: At its price point of Rs 9,999, it offers a solid aluminium build and comprehensive tracking.
- Individuals needing long battery life: With up to 20 days of use, it’s ideal for those who dislike frequent charging.
- Redmi/Xiaomi smartphone users: Seamless integration with the Mi Fitness app enhances the overall experience.
- Fitness enthusiasts: Accurate multi-system GPS and 150+ sports modes make it a capable fitness tracker.
Who Should Skip:
- Users needing standalone cellular connectivity (LTE): The Watch 4 relies on a connected phone for network functions.
- Those who prefer a smaller, more discreet watch: Its 47.5mm size might feel bulky on smaller wrists.
- Individuals seeking a rich third-party app ecosystem: HyperOS is a closed system, unlike Wear OS or Apple’s watchOS.
- Hardcore athletes requiring advanced metrics: While comprehensive, it may not offer the granular data of specialized sports watches like Garmin.
FAQ
Q1: Can the Redmi Watch 4 be used to make calls independently?
No, the Redmi Watch 4 supports Bluetooth calling, meaning it can make and receive calls from your wrist, but it requires being connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It does not have its own SIM card slot or eSIM for standalone cellular connectivity.
Q2: Is the Redmi Watch 4 compatible with iPhones?
Yes, the Redmi Watch 4 is compatible with both Android smartphones (Android 8.0 and above) and iPhones (iOS 12.0 and above). You will need to download the Xiaomi Wear (Mi Fitness) app from the App Store or Google Play Store to set up and sync the watch.
Q3: Does the Redmi Watch 4 have GPS for tracking outdoor activities?
Absolutely. The Redmi Watch 4 features integrated multi-system GPS, supporting five major satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, and QZSS. This allows for accurate tracking of outdoor activities like running, cycling, and walking, even without carrying your smartphone.
The Redmi Watch 4 successfully carves a niche in the competitive Indian smartwatch market. It delivers a premium experience with its stunning display, robust build, and exceptional battery life, all packaged at an accessible price. For many Indian consumers looking for a reliable daily companion that excels in core smartwatch functionalities, the Redmi Watch 4 is an undeniably smart purchase.
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