Redmi Watch 3 Active Review

Introduction

In September 2023, I made the decision to upgrade from my Mi Band 4 to the Redmi Watch 3 Active.

• This choice was primarily motivated by two factors: the watch's larger display and its relatively affordable price, which stood at approximately RM 139.

Display

While the Redmi Watch 3 Active boasts an impressively large 1.83-inch LCD display with a resolution of 240 x 280 pixels, 202 PPI pixel density, 60 Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 450 nits, I initially had concerns regarding its clarity and brightness, given that it lacks the AMOLED display found in other premium smartwatches.

• From a technical standpoint, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) generates light from a "backlight". However, this leads to the drawback that true black is never achieved because some level of light always permeates the screen.
• In contrast, AMOLED (Actie Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes) relies on each pixel as its individual light source, enabling a faster refresh rate and greater power efficiency, especially when using dark themes.
• Presently, LCD screens are more cost-effective than AMOLED displays.

After a week of use, I can attest that the LCD display delivers clear and vibrant visuals, complemented by a well-designed widget layout.

• Unfortunately, due to the absence of a light sensor, automatic brightness adjustment is not available, necessitating manual adjustment of the brightness level.
• Nevertheless, while navigating through the various menus and functions on the watch, the touch display is responsive.

Strap Designs

The Redmi Watch 3 Active features an unconventional strap mechanism that involves tucking in the strap when wearing it, rather than pulling it out.

• The replaceable TPU strap is 20 mm wide (the width of the end of the long strap) and can accommodate wrist circumferences ranging from 135 mm to 200 mm.

Bluetooth Phone Call

Unlike the Redmi Watch 2 Lite, the Redmi Watch 3 Active does not come equipped with a built-in GPS.

• However, Bluetooth phone calls function as advertised, with a reliable microphone.
• It is worth noting that the speaker volume may not be as loud or clear as some users might prefer.

User Experiences

Additionally, the Redmi Watch 3 Active lacks SIM card and Wi-Fi capabilities.

Nonetheless, in day-to-day usage, the Redmi Watch 3 Active operates seamlessly when paired with a mobile phone via Bluetooth 5.3, delivering selective notifications effectively.

• The Redmi Watch 3 Active uses Mi Fitness as the companion app for pairing and syncing with a smartphone.
• It should be noted that while the Redmi Watch 3 Active supports multiple languages, including English and Traditional Chinese, the Simplified Chinese character may not display correctly in the notification section.

If Bluetooth exposure is a health concern, unfortunately, there is no dedicated option to disable Bluetooth on the Redmi Watch 3 Active.

• To completely turn off Bluetooth, you will need to activate Battery Saver mode.
• Be aware that this will also disable all watch functions except the clock and step count.
• To enable Battery Saver, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.

Troubleshoot: Contact Name Not Shown

Although "Show Contact Info" is enabled in Mi Fitness's device settings, contact names may not be shown on the smart watch. Instead, only a string of phone numbers will be displayed.

• This issue can be easily resolved by opening the Mi Fitness app on the connected phone and allowing it to run in the background.
• Similarly, even if the smartphone is connected to the smart watch via Bluetooth, "Find Phone" function will not operate correctly unless the Mi Fitness app is running on the phone.

Battery Life

Despite official claims of up to 12 days of typical use or 8 days of heavy use, the 290 mAh battery typically lasts me about a week.

• To enhance ease of use, I have enabled several features, including "raise to wake", "cover to sleep" and "double tap to wake" and "auto lock after 5 seconds".

NOTE: Charging a smartwatch daily (e.g. Apple Watch) can be a hassle.

Summary

In summary, the Redmi Watch 3 Active is more of a fitness tracker than a fully-fledged smartwatch.

• With its 5 ATM water resistance, support for over 100 fitness models (excluding water exercises) and the ability to measure heart rate, blood oxygen saturation and sleep patterns, it offers a comprehensive suite of fitness features.
• Beyond basic notifications, it lacks features such as offline music storage, app compatibility, cellular connectivity, fast charging, high and low heart rate notifications, NFC payment options and fall or crash detection.

Therefore, carefully consider your specific needs and requirements before making a purchase.

NOTE: Currently, the Redmi Watch 5 Lite is a worthy successor to the Redmi Watch 3 Active. It boasts a 1.96-inch AMOLED display, built-in five-system GNSS, and up to 18 days of battery life, all at an affordable price of RM 199.