Amazfit Active vs Redmi Watch 4

Amazfit Active vs Redmi Watch 4: a feature-by-feature breakdown

January 14, 2024 Marko Maslakovic Device matchup, Smartwatch 10 min read

Two solid smartwatch mid-range offerings are the Amazfit Active and Redmi Watch 4. Launched in October and November 2023, respectively, they target consumers users who seek a blend of fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smartwatch functionalities. For now we are still waiting for international availability of the Redmi timepiece, but that is expected any day now.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

This comparison piece delves into the nuances of these two devices, examining their design, functionality, and overall user experience. Read on to find out how they compare.

Key takeaways

The Amazfit Active offers a more feature-rich experience with additional smartwatch capabilities, targeting users who seek a comprehensive wearable device. The Redmi Watch 4 appeals to budget-conscious consumers, providing essential health and fitness features in a simple yet effective package.

View on Amazfit / Redmi; View on Amazon (Amazfit Active).

Jump to

Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line

Amazfit Active vs Redmi Watch 4: Hardware

Look & feel

Starting with the look and feel, Amazfit Active adopts a square shape, crafted from a combination of aluminum alloy and plastic, with a special stainless steel and plastic blend for the Lavender Purple variant. This gives it a modern and versatile look, suitable for both casual and formal wear. The Redmi Watch 4, while also square, differentiates itself with a plastic back and an aluminum frame with a stainless steel finish, offering a more robust and durable feel.

The Active features a single button, emphasizing a minimalist design. The Redmi Watch 4, on the other hand, includes a rotating crown as its physical button, adding a classic watch element that provides a tactile and intuitive way to navigate the watch’s interface.

Display, colour options, water resistance

Both watches boast AMOLED displays, but the Amazfit Active has a slightly smaller 1.75-inch screen compared to the Redmi Watch 4’s larger 1.97-inch display. The Redmi Watch 4 also offers a higher peak brightness, enhancing visibility in various lighting conditions.

Of course you get a few colour options. But the Amazfit Active offers more variety. Its choices include Midnight Black, Petal Pink, and Lavender Purple. The Redmi Watch 4 sticks to classic Black and White, appealing to users who prefer more basic color schemes.

Both watches are equally matched in water resistance with a 5 ATM rating. This makes them suitable for swimming and other water-related activities.

Sensor technology

Moving on to sensor technology and the Amazfit Active is equipped with the BioTracker PPG sensor, adept at precise heart rate monitoring. The company doesn’t say which version of the sensor, but we suspect it is BioTracker 4.0. This is complemented by an accelerometer for motion tracking, a geomagnetic sensor for orientation, and a unique temperature sensor, broadening its scope for health and environmental monitoring. Its GPS connectivity is comprehensive, supporting systems like GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Qzss, and Beidou, ensuring reliable location tracking globally. However, it lacks NFC, which might be a limitation for users who prefer contactless payments. A standout feature of the Amazfit Active is its music storage capability, allowing up to 250mb of space for music, catering well to users who enjoy having their playlists handy during workouts or daily routines.

In contrast, the Redmi Watch 4 also features a heart rate monitor but elevates the functionality with a 4-channel PPG sensor for more detailed heart rate data. It includes an accelerometer, compass, gyro, and an SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen level monitoring. Like the Amazfit Active, it supports a wide range of GPS systems including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, and QZSS. An advantage of the Redmi Watch 4 is its NFC support, making it more appealing for users who rely on contactless transactions, although this feature is region-dependent. However, it doesn’t offer music storage, which might be a downside for those who prefer their music directly on the device.

Battery life

The Amazfit Active and Redmi Watch 4 both offer impressive battery life, but with some differences that cater to varying user needs. The Amazfit Active boasts a battery life of up to 14 days under typical usage, extending to 30 days in battery saver mode, and lasting up to 10 days under heavy usage. This makes it a reliable choice for those who need a balance between regular and intensive use.

On the other hand, the Redmi Watch 4, powered by a 420 mAh battery, promises about 20 days of battery life under normal usage and 7 days with more intensive use, including the always-on display feature. The Redmi Watch 4’s inclusion of fast charging adds convenience, reducing downtime significantly.

Amazfit Active vs Redmi Watch 4: Technical specs

Here’s a detailed tech specs comparison table for the Amazfit Active and Redmi Watch 4:

Specification	Amazfit Active	Redmi Watch 4
Release Date	October 2023	November 2023
Case Material	Aluminum alloy + plastic, Stainless steel + plastic (Lavender Purple)	Plastic back, aluminium frame with stainless steel finish
Physical Buttons	1	1 – rotating crown
Shape	Square	Square
Size	42.36 x 35.9 x 10.75 mm	47.6 x 41.1 x 10.5 mm
Display Type	AMOLED	AMOLED, 600 nits (peak)
Resolution	390 x 450 pixels	450 x 390 pixels
Screen Size	1.75 inch	1.97 inches
Weight (without strap)	24 grams	31.5 grams
Sensors	BioTracker PPG, Acceleration, Geomagnetic, Temperature	Accelerometer, 4-channel PPG sensor, compass, gyro, SpO2
Water-Resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM
Positioning	GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Qzss, Beidou	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS
Built-in Speaker	Yes	Yes
Microphone	Yes	Yes
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Music Storage	Yes (up to 250mb space for music)	No
Connection	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.3
Cellular Connectivity	No	No
Battery Type	300 mAh	470 mAh
Battery Life	14 days in normal mode, 30 days in limited functionality, 26 hours in GPS mode	Up to 20 days typical usage, 10 days with AOD mode, 30 days in long battery mode
Operating System	ZeppOS 2	HyperOS
Colors	Midnight Black, Petal Pink, Lavender Purple	Black, White
Typical RRP	$150	$75 (in China)

Amazfit Active vs Redmi Watch 4: Features

The Amazfit Active is well-equipped for health monitoring. It has all the basics including a geomagnetic sensor and a temperature sensor. They enhancing its capabilities for environmental and health tracking. The watch supports a variety of sports modes and is powered by Zepp Coach, offering advanced running support features like track run mode, smart trajectory correction, and virtual pacer. Additionally, it provides a live broadcast of sports data, a feature not found in the Redmi Watch 4. The Amazfit Active also excels in sleep quality monitoring and offers a readiness score, giving users an overall assessment of their physical condition.

On the other hand, the Redmi Watch 4, while retaining essential health sensors like a heart rate monitor and SpO2 sensor, supports over 150 sports modes, catering to a wide range of activities and fitness routines. It includes a sleep and stress tracker, as well as a menstrual cycle monitor for women. The Redmi Watch 4’s health and fitness tracking is enhanced by its operating system, HyperOS, which promises a fluid and feature-rich user experience.

Smartwatch-type features

When it comes to smartwatch-type features, the Amazfit Active stands out with its Bluetooth phone call capabilities, allowing users to make, receive, and answer calls directly from the watch. It also supports voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa and an offline voice assistant, and provides up to 250MB of music storage. Both watches offer features like Bluetooth phone music control, camera control (iOS only), notifications for phone calls and SMS, and support for quick replies for Android users. The advantage of the Redmi Watch 4 is its NFC support for contactless payments.

Amazfit Active vs Redmi Watch 4: Price

The Amazfit Active, with its extensive range of health and fitness features, along with added smartwatch capabilities like Bluetooth calling and voice assistant support, is priced at $150. This positions it as a mid-range option, offering a balance of functionality and affordability for users seeking a comprehensive smartwatch experience.

On the other hand, the Redmi Watch 4 comes in at a more budget-friendly price of approximately $70 in China. This lower price makes it an attractive option for those who prioritize essential smartwatch and fitness features without the need for the more advanced functionalities found in higher-priced models.

It’s worth noting, we are still waiting for international availability of the Redmi timepiece. It should happen any day now. When it does become available, expect it to sell from a slightly more expensive price than in China. Probably around the $100 mark.

Amazfit Active vs Redmi Watch 4: Final thoughts

The Amazfit Active and Redmi Watch 4 each stand out in their own right. The Amazfit Active, with its elegant design, array of sensors, music storage, and additional smartwatch features like Bluetooth calling and voice assistance, justifies its higher price point for those seeking a more comprehensive device.

The Redmi Watch 4, while more basic in comparison, offers solid health and fitness tracking capabilities, a larger display, and a budget-friendly price, making it an attractive option for those who need essential features without the frills.