The new Redmi Watch 6 brings a slimmer design, an extra button and other improvements over the Redmi Watch 5 that was announced just under a year ago. The watch is available in China now at a price of CNY 600 ($85/€75/₹7,500), the same price as the previous model, making it an incredible value proposition for tech enthusiasts seeking premium features without breaking the bank. It comes in three colors: Blue, Silver and Black, each paired with comfortable TPU straps that can be easily swapped to match your style.

What sets the Redmi Watch 6 apart isn’t just its refined aesthetics—it’s the thoughtful engineering that went into making it significantly thinner at just 9.94mm compared to the previous model’s 11.3mm thickness, a milestone that makes the watch feel noticeably more comfortable and less intrusive on your wrist. The addition of a customizable shortcut button alongside the familiar stainless steel crown transforms the user experience, offering three programmable actions: single click, long press, and double click, which by default control the control center, power menu, and emergency contact functions. Combined with a brighter 2,000-nit AMOLED display with slimmer bezels, dual L1 GNSS antennas for superior positioning accuracy, and the latest HyperOS 3 operating system, the Redmi Watch 6 delivers a smartwatch experience that punches well above its budget-friendly price tag.

What Is the Size of the Redmi Watch 6?

The Redmi Watch 6 features a compact and sleek form factor measuring 46.5mm x 40.0mm x 9.94mm, which represents a notable size reduction compared to its predecessor’s 47.5mm x 41.1mm x 11.3mm dimensions. The watch weighs just 31 grams without the strap, making it lighter than the Redmi Watch 5’s 33.5 grams, contributing to an almost imperceptible feel on the wrist during extended wear.

The display size remains consistent with the previous generation at 2.07 inches diagonally, featuring a rectangular AMOLED panel with rounded corners that offers a resolution of 432 x 514 pixels and a pixel density of 324 PPI. What’s particularly impressive is the screen-to-body ratio of 82%, achieved through significantly narrower bezels—just 2mm—that maximize the viewing area while keeping the overall watch dimensions compact. This thoughtful design approach means you get a large, immersive display without the bulk typically associated with smartwatches featuring screens of this size.

The thickness reduction to under 10mm is especially significant because it represents a psychological and practical milestone in wearable design. Watches measuring less than 10mm thick are generally considered sleek and elegant, making them suitable for formal occasions while still being robust enough for sports and outdoor activities. The aluminum alloy unibody construction contributes to both the lightweight feel and structural rigidity, ensuring the watch can withstand daily wear without feeling fragile.

How to Switch On Redmi Smartwatch?

Turning on your Redmi smartwatch is a straightforward process that requires just a single button press. To power on the Redmi Watch 6 or any Redmi smartwatch model, locate the side button (also called the function button or power button) on the right edge of the watch face. Press and hold this button for approximately 3-5 seconds until the device vibrates and you see the Xiaomi or Redmi logo appear on the screen.

If you’ve just unboxed your watch and it doesn’t turn on when you press the button, it likely needs charging first. Connect the watch to its magnetic charging cable and plug it into a power source—the watch should automatically power on once it receives sufficient charge, typically within a few minutes. Xiaomi recommends charging the watch for at least 30 minutes before the initial setup to ensure the battery doesn’t die during the pairing process, which could cause connection issues.youtube​

For watches that have been sitting unused for extended periods, the battery may be completely depleted. In such cases, place the watch on its charger and wait 10-15 minutes before attempting to power it on. If the watch still doesn’t respond after charging and pressing the power button, you can try a force restart by pressing and holding the side button for approximately 12 seconds, which can help resolve minor software glitches that might prevent normal startup.

Once the watch powers on for the first time, you’ll see a QR code on the display prompting you to download the Mi Fitness app (formerly Xiaomi Wear) on your smartphone. This app is essential for pairing your watch with your phone, enabling notifications, customizing settings, and accessing the full range of features the Redmi Watch 6 offers.

How to Customize a Redmi Watch?

Customizing your Redmi Watch 6 allows you to personalize the device to match your style and preferences, with multiple options available both on the watch itself and through the companion Mi Fitness app. The most common customization is changing the watch face, which can be done in two primary ways.

The quickest method is to press and hold your finger on the current watch face display for 2-3 seconds until the watch face selection menu appears. Once in this menu, you can swipe left or right to browse through the watch faces that are already installed on your device. Many watch faces feature an “Edit” button at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to customize elements like color schemes, displayed information widgets, and complications. Simply tap the Edit button, make your desired changes, and tap Apply or the checkmark to save your customization.

For access to a much broader selection of watch faces, including custom photo displays, open the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone and navigate to the Device tab, then select “Manage Watch Faces”. Here you’ll find hundreds of options organized into categories such as Utility, Formal, Sporty, and Custom. Some premium watch faces may require a small payment, while most are available for free. The custom watch face category is particularly popular because it allows you to create personalized displays using your own photos—you can select up to eight images that will cycle automatically, with options to adjust the position, crop, and color scheme of the text overlays.youtube+3​

To install a new watch face from the app, simply browse the available options, tap on the one you like, and click the “Apply” or “Download” button. The watch face will automatically sync to your watch over Bluetooth, which typically takes 30-60 seconds depending on the complexity of the design. Make sure your phone has a stable internet connection and that the watch remains in Bluetooth range during this process.youtube+2​

Beyond watch faces, you can customize many other aspects of the Redmi Watch 6 through the Mi Fitness app settings, including notification preferences, which apps can send alerts to your watch, vibration intensity, do-not-disturb schedules, workout auto-detection sensitivity, and the three programmable actions for the new shortcut button. The watch also supports installing third-party mini-apps like Flightradar24, simple games like 2048, and various utility tools that expand its functionality beyond basic health tracking and notifications.

How to Fix Redmi Watch Strap?

Fixing or replacing the Redmi Watch 6 strap is a simple process thanks to the quick-release mechanism built into the watch design. If your strap is damaged, broken, or you simply want to change it for a different style, you can do so in less than a minute without any tools.youtube+

To remove the existing strap, turn the watch over so you’re looking at the back side where the strap connects to the watch body. You’ll notice small quick-release buttons (sometimes called spring bars or “schnappers”) located on both sides where the strap attaches to the watch case. Using your fingernail or thumb, press and hold the quick-release button while simultaneously pulling the strap away from the watch body. The strap should slide out easily once the button is fully depressed. Repeat this process for both the top and bottom strap segments.

To install a new strap or reattach the existing one, align the strap’s attachment pins with the small holes on the watch case. Insert one side of the pin into its hole first, then press the quick-release button on the opposite side and slide that end into place. You should hear or feel a small click when the strap locks into position securely. Give the strap a gentle tug to ensure it’s properly seated and won’t accidentally detach during wear.youtube+3​

If your Redmi Watch strap is broken—particularly if the silicone material has torn or the quick-release mechanism has failed—the most practical solution is to purchase a replacement strap rather than attempting to repair the damaged one. Replacement straps for Redmi watches are inexpensive and widely available online through platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, and official Xiaomi stores, typically costing between $3-15 for packs of multiple straps in various colors and materials. The Redmi Watch 6 uses standard quick-release straps, so you’ll find numerous compatible options including silicone, leather, nylon, and even metal mesh bands that can completely transform the look of your watch.

While some users have attempted DIY repairs using glue, thread, or fishing line for torn silicone straps, these fixes are generally temporary and unreliable. Given the low cost of replacement straps and the time investment required for repair attempts, purchasing a new strap isalmost always the better choice.

Display and Visual Experience

The Redmi Watch 6’s display represents a significant upgrade in visual quality and outdoor visibility. The 2.07-inch AMOLED panel now reaches a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, a substantial increase from the Redmi Watch 5’s already-impressive 1,500 nits. This boost makes the screen easily readable even in direct sunlight, eliminating the frustration of cupping your hand over the watch to check the time or read notifications outdoors.youtube​

The display supports a 60Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling through menus and fluid animations when navigating the interface. Always-On Display (AOD) functionality is available, allowing you to glance at the time without raising your wrist or tapping the screen, though enabling this feature does reduce battery life from the maximum 24 days to approximately 7 days. The watch automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient light conditions thanks to the integrated ambient light sensor, optimizing visibility while conserving battery.

The 2.5D curved glass covering the display adds a premium feel and protects against scratches and minor impacts. The narrower bezels not only improve the aesthetic appeal but also maximize the usable screen area, making widgets, health data, and notificationseasier to read at a glance.

Performance and Software

The Redmi Watch 6 runs on Xiaomi’s latest HyperOS 3 operating system, which brings improved performance, smoother animations, and better device connectivity compared to previous software versions. The Super Island interface provides fluid performance and makes controlling smart home devices and even compatible vehicles directly from the watch possible through the Converged Device Centre.

Navigation through the interface is intuitive, with the dual-button setup significantly enhancing usability. The traditional crown supports rotating, pressing, and long-pressing gestures for quick access to different functions. The new shortcut button adds three customizable quick actions: a single click opens the control center by default, a long press accesses the power menu, and a double click initiates a call to your emergency contact. You can reprogram these actions through the Mi Fitness app to trigger other frequently used functions like starting a workout, accessing music controls, or opening the weather app.

The watch supports WeChat quick replies, voice replies, and emoticon responses, making it convenient for responding to messages without pulling out your phone. For payments and access control, the watch includes NFC functionality that works with QR code-based payment systems, digital transit cards, and even car keys.

Health and Fitness Tracking

The Redmi Watch 6 excels in health and fitness monitoring, offering over 150 sport modes with six that feature automatic detection to start tracking when you begin exercising. The comprehensive sensor suite includes a heart rate monitor, SpO₂ (blood oxygen) sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and geomagnetic sensor.

The watch provides 24/7 heart rate monitoring, continuous blood oxygen tracking, detailed sleep analysis including REM stages, stress level monitoring, and women’s health tracking. A standout feature is the vitality score system, which provides a holistic view of your overall health by analyzing multiple metrics and presenting a single, easy-to-understand number that reflects your physical condition.youtube​

The upgraded dual L1 GNSS positioning system—supporting Beidou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS satellite networks—delivers significantly more accurate outdoor tracking for running, cycling, and hiking compared to single-band GPS systems. GPS lock-on is faster and more stable, especially in urban environments with tall buildings or dense tree cover.youtube​

With 5ATM water resistance, the watch is suitable for swimming and can even monitor heart rate underwater, expanding its fitness tracking capabilities to aquatic sports. The watch accurately tracks swimming sessions including stroke count, lap times, and SWOLF scores.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Despite its slimmer profile, the Redmi Watch 6 maintains the same 550mAh battery capacity as its predecessor and delivers exceptional endurance. Xiaomi claims up to 24 days of battery life in basic mode with minimal features enabled, 12 days with typical mixed usage including health tracking and notifications, and approximately 7 days with the Always-On Display activated and heavy fitness tracking.

The watch charges via a magnetic two-pin cable that attaches securely to the back of the watch. While Xiaomi doesn’t specify exact charging times, users typically report full charges in under 2 hours.youtube​

Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.4, which offers improved range, faster data transfer, and better energy efficiency compared to previous Bluetooth versions. The watch does not currently offer an eSIM option for standalone cellular connectivity, meaning it requires a paired smartphone nearby for receiving notifications and using connected features.

The watch includes a linear motor with over 20 refined vibration modes for notifications, alarms, and health alerts, providing nuanced haptic feedback that helps you distinguish different types of notifications without looking at the screen.