Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active vs Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite
The Redmi Watch 5 Lite is the better watch on paper: it has built-in GPS and has an AMOLED screen. The Redmi Watch 5 Active doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 18 days and 18 days.
-
GPS
Redmi Watch 5 Lite wins
Only the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite has built-in GPS.
-
Display
Redmi Watch 5 Lite wins
The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite has an AMOLED screen against LCD.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Evenly matched
Similar weight: 30.6 g and 29.2 g.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Redmi Watch 5 Active if…
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Redmi Watch 5 Lite.
Choose the Redmi Watch 5 Lite if…
- You want to leave your phone at home on a run: it has built-in GPS.
- You want a vivid, phone-like screen: it has AMOLED-class colour and contrast.
Full spec comparison
The Redmi Watch 5 Lite leads on GPS and navigation and the display; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Xiaomi | Xiaomi |
| Series | Redmi Watch | Redmi Watch |
| Colours | Midnight Black, Matte Silver | Black, Light Gold |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | other | other |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Minimum iOS | iOS 12 | iOS 12 |
| Minimum Android | Android 8 | Android 8 |
Display
The Redmi Watch 5 Lite is ahead on the display.
It has an AMOLED screen, and the Redmi Watch 5 Active doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | LCD | AMOLED |
| Display name | 2'' LCD display | Square AMOLED |
| Screen size | 2 in | 1.96 in |
| Resolution | 320 x 385 | 410 x 502 |
| Pixel density | 250 ppi | 332 ppi |
| Peak brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Colour display | — | Yes |
| Always-on display | No | Yes |
Design & durability
Both are similar in size, weight and water rating.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 49.1 mm | 48.1 mm |
| Case shape | Square | Square |
| Dimensions | 49.1 x 40.4 x 11.4 mm | 48.1 x 39.2 x 10.6 mm |
| Thickness | 11.4 mm | 10.6 mm |
| Weight (case) | 30.6 g | 29.2 g |
| Case material | Plastic (with metal spray coating) | Plastic (NCVM) |
| Band material | TPU | TPU |
| Fits wrists | 135-205 mm | 135-205 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Water standard | ISO 22810:2010 | ISO 22810:2010 |
Battery
Battery life is close on both.
How you use the screen, GPS and notifications will matter more than the difference between them.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 18 days | 18 days |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 18 days | Smartwatch: 18 days; Always-on display: 7 days |
| Battery capacity | 470 mAh | 470 mAh |
| Charging | puck | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
The Redmi Watch 5 Lite is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It has built-in GPS, and the Redmi Watch 5 Active doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Uses phone GPS | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | No | — |
| Satellite systems | — | GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Basic | Basic |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Vitality score | — |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Sport profiles | 140 | 150 |
| Auto activity detection | Yes | — |
| Swim tracking | None | — |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Alexa | Alexa |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Find my phone | Yes | — |
| Flashlight | Yes | Yes |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Active | Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Diving | None | None |