Image source: Redmi

Redmi makes Watch 2 with 1.6 inch display & built-in GPS official

Redmi has unveiled earlier today its second smartwatch. As expected, one of the main upgrades is a better and larger AMOLED display, along with built-in GPS. The device is up on pre-order for around $60 and will start shipping on November 11th.

To remind, Redmi is a sub-brand of wearable tech giant Xiaomi. The outfit has been around for nearly a decade now. It focuses mainly on smartphones, of the budget kind.

Essential readingTop fitness trackers and health gadgets

Last year we saw Redmi’s entry in the wearable tech space. It is following many other smartwatch brands which have made the same move.

Redmi Watch is a $40 device that packs a square, color display that measures 1.4 inches. The 5 ATM rated device comes with fitness tracking basics. This includes steps, distance, calories, heart rate and there’s also a breathing training function. There’s also a bunch of sports modes but no built-in GPS. Battery life is around 5 days.

Now the second generation timepiece has dropped as hinted by promotional posters published by Redmi on Weibo over the past few weeks. It was announced at Redmi ‘s event today which also saw the reveal of Note 11 series smartphones and Youth Edition of the Redmi Buds 3.

Redmi Watch 2
Image source: Redmi

Redmi Watch 2 – technical specs

At first glance Redmi Watch 2 doesn’t look all-too-different from the original – some would even consider it an Apple Watch lookalike. There’s no getting away from it. Whether it is fair or not, any timepiece with a square shape will inevitably be compared to the Apple Watch. Like before, the single physical button on Redmi Watch 2 is on the right side, but now it is located more towards the middle of the watch. The device weights a mere 31 grams.

A major improvement is the display. It measures 1.6 inches and features thinner bezels, more lively colours, and a resolution of 320 x 360 pixels. This is AMOLED whereas the original only has an IPS LCD.

Redmi Watch 2
Image source: Redmi

Rather counter-intuitively, the upgraded screen tech results in better battery life. That’s because AMOLED displays are less power-hungry than LCDs. The watch can keep ticking for 12 days between charges whereas the original is good for only up to 9 days. With heavy use this falls to about a week. As before, charging is done via a magnetic connector.

Powered by the Apollo 3.5 processor, Redmi Watch 2 comes with 24/7 activity and sleep tracking, including heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring. Another important improvement is the inclusion of built-in GPS. This will, no doubt, help with tracking accuracy of its 117 sports modes. The 5 ATM rated device also has NFC support.

Technical specs

Build
Polycarbonate (plastic)
Dimensions
39.1 x 34.4 x 9.98mm
Weight
31 grams (with the strap)
Display size
1.6 inches
Display type
AMOLED
Display resolution
320 x 360 pixels
Water resistance
5 ATM
Sensors
Accelerometer, gyroscope, optical heart rate sensor, SpO2, ambient light sensor
Satellite connectivity
GNSS (GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, GALILEO)
NFC
For travel passes and access control
Sports modes
117 (with auto-detection for some)
Battery life
Up to 12 days (225 mAh battery). 7 days with heavy usage, 8 hours with GNSS exercise tracking.
Operating system
Customised RTOS
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0
Smartphone compatibility
Android 5.0+; iOS 10.0+
Colors
Elegant Black, Space Blue, Ivory White

Redmi Watch 2 – price, availability

The watch sells for CNY 299 (just over $60), so slightly more than the first iteration. It is already up for preorders in China. At the outset, the timepiece will be available in a choice between Elegant Black, Ivory, and Space Blue colours – with six colours for the TPU strap. The low-price is particularly impressive when you take into consideration the built-in GPS. It is one of the cheapest devices on the market with this type of functionality.

It will be interesting to see whether Redmi Watch 2 sees wider international availability. The first edition never made it to Amazon and other large retailers in the US and Europe, although it is available to purchase via AliExpress.

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Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables.

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