A new step for Xiaomi’s wearable journey in India
Xiaomi has launched its first locally manufactured smartwatch, Redmi Watch Move, in India. Priced at ₹1,999, this budget-friendly smartwatch is made at the Optiemus facility in Noida. The move marks a key shift in Xiaomi’s focus towards local production and affordability in the smartwatch segment.
Design and display that stands out, but with a budget feel
Redmi Watch Move sports a 1.85-inch 2.5D curved AMOLED screen. It comes with 600 nits brightness and supports Always-on-Display (AoD), although enabling AoD cuts battery life sharply. The spinning crown helps with quicker navigation, but the design still leans more basic compared to higher-end smartwatches.
Health and fitness tracking in abundance
The smartwatch offers over 140 workout modes and tracks running, calories, heart rate, SpO₂, stress levels, and sleep cycles. It even includes menstrual cycle tracking. For a ₹1,999 wearable, the range of features looks solid, but how accurate these sensors are remains to be tested in real-world use.
Battery life that’s impressive, but conditional
Xiaomi claims the Redmi Watch Move can last up to 14 days on a single charge, but only with the Always-on-Display turned off. If AoD is enabled, the battery life drops to around 5 days. So, while the backup is decent, users will need to balance features for longer use.
Smart features, HyperOS and Hindi support
Running on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS, the watch lets users sync notes, calendar events, tasks, and weather updates. It also supports Bluetooth calling, a feature usually found in higher price brackets. What adds more value is the Hindi language support, making it accessible to more users in India.
Durability and usability
Redmi Watch Move has an IP68 rating, meaning it can handle dust and water exposure, though it’s not suited for swimming or heavy water activities. The touchscreen responds well, but performance under intense use or multitasking may show some limits due to its budget hardware.
Available in four colors, sale begins May 1
Redmi Watch Move comes in Black Drift, Blue Blaze, Silver Sprint, and Gold Rush colors. It will be sold via Mi.com, Flipkart, and Xiaomi’s retail stores. Pre-booking opens on April 24, while the watch will be available for purchase from May 1.
Final thoughts: A promising start, but not without trade-offs
For ₹1,999, Redmi Watch Move offers a compelling package for first-time smartwatch users. Local manufacturing and Hindi support make it more rooted in the Indian context. However, it still feels like a stepping stone. The accuracy of health features and limited battery with AoD on could be areas where improvements are expected in future iterations.
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