Rumours of a Redmi-branded smartwatch have been around for quite some time. Given how massively popular Redmi smartphones are, it would only make sense for Xiaomi to expand upon the ecosystem. The Redmi Watch has now been officially unveiled alongside the new Redmi Note 9 smartphones.
We can expect the Redmi Watch to launch internationally as the Mi Watch Lite in the coming weeks, presumably alongside the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 11 series. The Redmi Watch, much like the company's smartphones, is aimed at the affordable end of the market. It costs a mere CNY 299 (US$45) and offers some impressive specifications for the price.
For starters, it is NFC-enabled and supports Bluetooth 5.0 LE. Its 1.4-inch screen has a square form factor (320 x 320 resolution) and can automatically adjust its brightness according to ambient lighting conditions. The Redmi Watch also comes pre-installed with several fitness modes and can monitor your heart rate continuously.
Xiaomi's fitness trackers and smartwatches have been long criticized for using a proprietary charger. Unfortunately, the Redmi Watch is no different. Thankfully, a single two-hour charge can get you up to seven days of runtime. Pairing the Redmi Watch with the Mi Fit app will allow you to customize it with over 120 watch faces.