Xiaomi presents Redmi Watch 6: Thinner, brighter, and more durable?

Xiaomi has officially unveiled the Redmi Watch 6 in China. The new model brings several improvements over the Redmi Watch 5: a significantly brighter AMOLED display, a slimmer design, and a long battery life of up to 24 days. Is this the best budget smartwatch?

Still square, but now thinner

Visually, the Redmi Watch 6 remains true to its predecessor—a square case, a large display, and a sporty look. However, Xiaomi has refined its thickness: The Watch 6 is thinner than the Watch 5, which makes it look more elegant on the wrist and can improve comfort.

Instead of 11.3 mm, we now get 9.94 mm. The weight also drops slightly from 33 g to 31.5 g. The frame is still made of an aluminum alloy, and the water resistance remains at 5 ATM.

There's also news about the display: It can now be brighter. Instead of 1500 nits, Xiaomi now uses 2000 nits in the 2.07-inch display. This puts it on par with much more expensive models like the Apple Watch. An always-on display is also included again.

Up to 24 days of battery life and 150 sports modes

The Redmi Watch 6's battery capacity remains 550 mAh, just like its predecessor. So, there's no leap in endurance. Xiaomi claims a maximum battery life of 24 days, but only with moderate use. 7-12 days is more typical, especially if you use the always-on display and regularly record workouts.

Speaking of sports: 150 sports modes are back on board, including a GPS module that records your workouts. Of course, you also get the appropriate sensors to track your heart rate and blood oxygen levels.

You can also track your sleep and cycle. The Redmi Watch 6 will ship again with HyperOS, designed to work seamlessly with other Xiaomi devices. However, the watch is also compatible with different Android devices.

Cheap and good?

The Redmi Watch 6 will first be released in China for around $83. So, you get a whole host of features for little money. However, Xiaomi primarily focuses on product refinement this year and tweaking the dimensions. The watch will be slightly thinner and lighter, making its weight even less noticeable on the wrist.

Turning the brightness up to 2000 nits is also a smart move: Nothing is more annoying than not being able to read a display in strong sunlight. However, the competition is already ahead for a small premium: The Huawei Watch Fit 4 reaches 3000 nits.

Anyone missing premium features like an ECG or blood pressure monitor is in the wrong price range. The Redmi Watch 6 will again be an affordable option for people who don't want to spend hundreds of euros on a smartwatch but still want more features than a typical fitness tracker. What's especially important to you in a smartwatch?

Share this post