Smartwatch Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active VS Apple Watch SE (2022): features, differences and prices

The market for “smart” watches with sports functions is saturated. There are many models and few stand out. The 2nd generation Apple Watch SE is one of them due to its good value for money, features and full compatibility with Apple’s iPhone.

But users who do not have the smartphone with the bitten apple cannot use it, having to opt for alternatives from other manufacturers. One that manages to attract attention in (almost) all its products is Xiaomiand the new Redmi Watch 3 Active is no exception.

The latest cheap smartwatch from the Asian company is a cut version of the Redmi Watch 3, but it maintains interesting features and is sold at a groundbreaking price, so it aims to be a bestseller. We put them face to face to compare their features, differences and prices.

Features Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active and Apple Watch SE 2nd generation

• Screen: Apple Watch SE (2022) is available in two sizes. The 40mm version features a 1.57-inch Retina LTPO OLED panel and the 44mm version has a 1.78-inch one. It reaches a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active has a 1.83-inch LCD screen with a brightness of up to 450 nits.
• Chip, RAM and storage: Xiaomi does not specify any of this data in the characteristics of the device. The Apple Watch SE (2022) comes with a dual-core S8 chip along with 1 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage.
• connectivity: Redmi Watch 3 Active connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth 5.3. The 2nd generation Apple Watch SE is more complete, since apart from Bluetooth 5.3 it has WiFi, GPS, NFC and there is an LTE/4G option paying more.
• sensors: Apple’s proposal offers accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate sensor, barometer, always-on altimeter and compass. Xiaomi’s has a heart rate sensor with a blood oxygen sensor and accelerometer.
• Battery: Apple promises around 18 hours with a mixed use of sport and physical activity (which translates into a day and a half approximately). Xiaomi ensures that its Redmi Watch 3 Active is capable of reaching 12 days with normal use or up to 8 days with intensive use.
• OS: watchOS 9 on the 2nd generation SE and a proprietary one from Xiaomi of which no details are provided.
• Compatibility: Apple Watch SE (2022) works from an iPhone 8 with iOS 16 or later. The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active can be used on both Android 6.0 and iOS 12.0 or later updates.
• Price: the Redmi Watch 3 Active costs 49.99 euros, while the Apple Watch SE (2022) starts at 299 euros.

Apple Watch SE (2022) VS Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active, which smartwatch to buy?

Xiaomi has managed to gain a foothold in the market for its devices with good performance and reasonable price. Although for some time it has also set its sights on the high-end, does not neglect its cheaper range productsand this is where the Redmi Watch 3 Active comes in.

For 49.99 euros (even less if it was obtained with an introductory offer), the Redmi Watch 3 Active is a very reliable “smart” watch with interesting options. It is true that there are major deficiencies and cuts regarding whether it is compared to the “regular” Redmi Watch 3 or even the Apple Watch SE (2022), but it is an entry-level smartwatch with health functions and aimed at users who are only looking for the basics.

OLED screen vs. LCD screen

We are used to seeing OLED screens both in smartphones and in the best known or best “smart” watches offered by brands. The same Apple Watch SE (2022) has a panel of this type and offers exceptional quality, but when you are looking to offer a cheaper device, the screen is usually one of the aspects in which it is cut.

The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active has an LCD panel that is not comparable in quality to that of the Apple Watch, but that does not mean that it is of poor quality: the colors are vivid, it has a good size (1.83 inches) and the resolution is sufficient to consult the information in detail. Its glass has a 2.5D curvature to offer a more elegant appearance and greater resistance to wear.

Obviously, if we put both devices side by side, the difference between one panel and another can be verified, but that on a day-to-day basis does not present a major problem. Although, yes, special mention must be made of brightness: Xiaomi’s is around 450 nits; there will be no problems indoors, but outdoors, especially when it is very sunny, the user can “suffer” to see the information clearly.

Connectivity conspicuous by its absence

Although the original Redmi Watch 3 didn’t have great connectivity either, the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active is even more limited: Bluetooth 5.3 for connection to the smartphone and that’s it, there’s no more. Not having Wi-Fi could be forgiven, but it also does not have two features that are very practical in a smartwatch: NFC and GPS.

NFC is a technology widely used in “smart” watches. to make mobile payments. Credit card details are stored and you can pay practically just by touching your wrist to the dataphone. And the GPS to record the routes when starting a race training.

Of course, It doesn’t have LTE/4G either., which is what also gives greater independence from the smartphone. All these functions are available on the 2nd generation Apple Watch.

sensors

Although the Apple Watch SE (2022) It is not the Apple watch with the largest number of sensors, it is quite well equipped: Accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate (2nd generation), barometer, always-on altimeter, and compass. With these sensors, more than decent measurements can be obtained in certain physical activities and daily health.

The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 has heart rate sensor with blood oxygen measurement and accelerometer. With this device you can keep track of your heart rate throughout the day with alerts when it is too high, monitor your sleep and train a wide variety of exercises with its more than 100 sports modes.

Good autonomy to forget about the charger

Apple, Samsung or Google smartwatches do not stand out for having good autonomy. They have so many functions that the normal thing is that they last a day and a half or two without going through the charger (if you exercise and use the device actively), and this can become a nuisance.

The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active, being more parsimonious in functions, has a autonomy of up to 12 days with normal use or up to eight days with active use. It is a figure that is common in other brand watches such as Amazfit or Huawei GT, which, like this Redmi Watch 3 Active, do not have as many functions as, for example, the 2nd generation Apple Watch SE.

And the price

Compared to the 2nd generation Apple Watch SE, the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 3 Active is missing a lot, but also you have to take into account the difference in price. Xiaomi’s proposal is available for 49.99 euros, even less with an offer (due to its launch it has been at 299 euros, a bargain), and Apple’s starts at 299 euros.

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Images | Apple, Applesphere and Xiaomi

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