Xiaomi brings Redmi Watch 6 global with one key Watch 5 gap fixed
Xiaomi has added the Redmi Watch 6 to its global website, confirming a wider rollout for its latest budget smartwatch with a large AMOLED display, 550mAh battery and built in GNSS. There is also a separate NFC version with Mastercard and Visa support, which addresses one of the more obvious omissions I found when reviewing the Watch 5 last year.
A familiar big screen formula
Redmi Watch 6 sticks with a large 2.07 inch AMOLED display, but Xiaomi now claims up to 2000 nits peak brightness. The Redmi Watch 5 already had one of the better screens in this price range, with a sharp, vibrant panel that made menus, widgets and workout data easy to read. The new brightness figure should make outdoor visibility stronger, assuming real world performance lines up with the spec sheet.
The case now measures 46.45 x 40.03 x 9.94mm and weighs 31 grams without the strap. That makes it slimmer and lighter than the Redmi Watch 5, although this is still a large rectangular watch.
Xiaomi has kept the aluminium alloy frame and added a stainless steel crown plus a second physical button. The later should make it a little easier to use during workouts.
Battery life remains the safe bet
Battery life was one of the strongest parts of my Redmi Watch 5 review. It used the same 550mAh battery, and during my two week test I did not need to charge it once. That was impressive for a watch with such a large AMOLED display.
Redmi Watch 6 keeps the 550mAh capacity, with Xiaomi claiming up to 24 days in light use, 12 days in typical use and 7 days in heavy use. Those figures will depend on settings, GPS use and the always on display, but the Watch 5 gives some confidence that Xiaomi’s battery claims are not just decoration.
NFC is the upgrade to watch
The most interesting part is the separate Redmi Watch 6 NFC model. Xiaomi says it supports contactless payments through Mastercard and Visa, although this will depend on the region and supported banks.
That stood out because NFC was one of the gaps in my Redmi Watch 5 review. The Watch 5 had a great screen, strong battery life, Bluetooth calling, local music storage and built in GNSS, but the lack of wrist payments made it feel slightly less complete as an everyday smartwatch. The NFC version of Redmi Watch 6 changes that, at least in markets where support is active.
Fitness tracking should feel familiar
Redmi Watch 6 supports more than 150 sports modes and built in satellite positioning through GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou and QZSS. Xiaomi also mentions a dual L1 antenna setup that chooses the stronger signal depending on how the watch is worn.
The Watch 5 performed surprisingly well in my testing, including GPS runs in Central London where tall buildings can make tracking messy. Heart rate also improved once I swapped to a tighter strap, bringing the readings much closer to my Garmin comparison setup. That is worth remembering here, because fit still plays a big role in optical heart rate accuracy.
The new model also includes all day heart rate, blood oxygen, stress and sleep tracking, plus 5ATM water resistance. Xiaomi says heart rate tracking now works while swimming, which gives the watch a slightly broader fitness profile.
Early takeaway
Redmi Watch 6 looks like a tidy follow up. Xiaomi has kept the parts that worked on the Watch 5, including the big AMOLED screen, strong battery life, built in GNSS and practical smart features. The brighter display, slimmer case, extra button and NFC option make it feel better rounded.
The NFC model is the one I would watch most closely. If Xiaomi gets pricing and regional payment support right, Redmi Watch 6 could be one of the more interesting budget smartwatch launches of the year.
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