Redmi Watch 3 Active Review: A Fresh Take on Budget Smartwatches

The demand for affordable smartwatches in Nepal is booming, with numerous new models hitting the market frequently. Xiaomi's latest entry, the Redmi Watch 3 Active, aims to differentiate itself with a fresh widget-based interface and robust feature set. After using the device for over two weeks, here’s a detailed look at what it offers.

The watch features a curvaceous design with a plastic body and a shiny metal-coated frame that gives it a premium appearance. It weighs just 41.67 grams and measures 46.94 x 38.88 x 10.94mm, making it comfortable for daily wear. The universal strap design allows for easy swaps, and the default strap is soft and irritation-free. With a 5ATM water resistance rating, users can take it to the pool or shower without worry.

At the heart of the device is a sizable 1.83-inch LCD display with a resolution of 240 x 280 pixels and a peak brightness of 450 nits. While the colors are improved over typical budget options, the claimed 16-bit depth and 60Hz refresh rate feel overstated, as transitions between screens are sluggish. The lack of automatic brightness adjustment is a notable omission, requiring manual tweaks that can drain the battery faster.

Software-wise, the Redmi Watch 3 Active impresses with its customizable widget screens, allowing users to stack up to four widgets on a single view. These widgets cover music control, weather, battery status, health metrics, and workout shortcuts, all configurable directly on the watch. Bluetooth calling works well indoors and in quiet outdoor settings, with adequate speaker and microphone quality, though performance suffers in noisy environments. Notification handling is straightforward, with alerts grouped by app and accessible via a swipe-down gesture.

Health and fitness tracking is where the watch shines, offering 24/7 heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements, sleep tracking, and stress analysis. It also supports over 100 sports modes, including ten professional profiles, though it relies on smartphone GPS for precise location data. While the sedimentary reminder feature is flawed and step counting can be slightly off, overall tracking accuracy is commendable for the price.

Battery life is a highlight, with the 289mAh non-removable cell lasting up to 12 days under typical use, or around eight days with heavy feature utilization. Charging is reasonably quick, reaching 20 percent in ten minutes.

Despite its strengths, the Redmi Watch 3 Active isn’t perfect. The display animations feel rough, the absence of automatic brightness adjustment is frustrating, and the sedentary reminder doesn’t function as intended. However, these issues don’t overshadow the watch’s overall performance. With its stylish design, versatile widget system, solid health tracking, and impressive battery life, the Redmi Watch 3 Active is a compelling choice for anyone seeking a feature-packed smartwatch without breaking the bank.