Realme Watch 5 Pro Review: A Budget Smartwatch Worth Buying?

Realme Watch 5 Pro: First Impressions

The Realme Watch 5 Pro has landed in India, and after spending a week with it, I'm ready to share my thoughts. At a price point hovering around ₹6,000, it's squarely aimed at budget-conscious consumers. The question is: does it deliver enough to stand out in a crowded market? My initial impression is positive – the build quality feels surprisingly premium for the price, and the AMOLED display is vibrant. But let's dive into the details.

Design and Build Quality

Realme has clearly focused on aesthetics with the Watch 5 Pro. The metallic finish of the watch body gives it a more expensive look than its plastic competitors. Weighing in at just 40 grams, it's comfortable to wear even during sleep. The silicone strap is soft and doesn’t irritate the skin, crucial for all-day wear. The single button on the side provides easy navigation. While it's not going to win any design awards, the Watch 5 Pro is a definite step up from many other budget smartwatches I've tested.

Display: Bright and Vibrant

The 1.78-inch AMOLED display is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Realme Watch 5 Pro. Colors are punchy, and the brightness levels are more than adequate for outdoor use, even under the harsh Indian sun. With a resolution of 368x448 pixels, text and images appear sharp. The touch responsiveness is also excellent. I found myself enjoying browsing through notifications and using the watch's various features simply because the display is so pleasing to the eye.

Performance and Features

The Realme Watch 5 Pro offers a decent range of features for its price. It tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), sleep, and various sports modes. The step tracking seemed accurate in my testing, aligning closely with my phone's pedometer. The heart rate sensor, while not medical-grade, provided consistent readings. The sleep tracking is fairly detailed, breaking down sleep into different stages. However, the notification system could be improved – sometimes notifications are delayed, and the font size can be a bit small. reportersays, overall, the performance is smooth and responsive, with minimal lag.

Battery Life: A Pleasant Surprise

Battery life is where the Realme Watch 5 Pro truly shines. Realme claims up to 14 days of battery life, and while I didn't quite achieve that, I consistently got around 10 days on a single charge with moderate usage (including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and notifications). This is significantly better than many other smartwatches in this price range. Charging is also relatively quick, taking about 2 hours to fully charge the watch.

Camera and Connectivity

The Realme Watch 5 Pro connects seamlessly to both Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth 5.1. Setting up the watch using the Realme Link app was straightforward. The watch doesn't have a built-in camera nor does it support NFC payments, which is understandable given its price point. However, it does allow you to control music playback on your phone, which is a handy feature.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Bright and vibrant AMOLED display
• Excellent battery life
• Premium design for the price
• Accurate step tracking

Cons:

• Notification system could be improved
• No NFC support
• Heart rate sensor not medical-grade

Alternatives in the Indian Market

In the ₹6,000 price segment, the Realme Watch 5 Pro faces stiff competition. The boAt Xtend Pro is a popular alternative, offering similar features and a slightly different design aesthetic. The Noise ColorFit Pro 4 is another strong contender, known for its accurate fitness tracking and vibrant color options. Finally, the Fire-Boltt Visionary offers Bluetooth calling at a similar price, which is a feature the Realme Watch 5 Pro lacks. Choosing between these comes down to personal preference and desired features.

Verdict

The Realme Watch 5 Pro is a well-rounded budget smartwatch that offers a lot for its price. The vibrant AMOLED display, excellent battery life, and premium design make it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers in India. While the notification system could be improved, and it lacks NFC support, these are minor drawbacks considering the overall value. If you're looking for an affordable smartwatch that looks good and performs well, the Realme Watch 5 Pro is definitely worth considering. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.