Compare Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) vs Xiaomi Redmi 5 Active

Auto-detection works very well for walking and running, but one reviewer found it less reliable for cycling and strength training.

Activity auto-detection was described as standard rather than exceptional.

The antioxidant index is consistently weak, with several reviewers calling it low-value, inaccurate, gimmicky, or only marginally responsive.

The app ecosystem is strong, with reviewers citing many apps and plenty of smartwatch functionality.

The built-in app/function set was viewed positively in one review as useful for a budget smartwatch.

Band quality is mixed to positive, with easy swaps and a robust strap system offset by dirt buildup and a hit-or-miss release mechanism.

Band quality was mixed: some liked the strap feel, but others found the fastening awkward or frustrating.

Battery life is a strength relative to other Galaxy Watches, but real-world results vary widely with always-on display, GPS, and travel use.

Battery life was a major strength across reviews, even when it fell short of advertised claims.

Blood oxygen tracking drew a clear caveat, with one reviewer repeatedly seeing lower SPO2 results than expected from other sensors.

Blood oxygen readings were mostly acceptable, but one comparison found the Lite model slightly more accurate than the Active.

Bluetooth connectivity was praised for staying connected without issues.

Brightness is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly noting bright output and easy readability.

Brightness was mixed, with strong praise for brightness in one review but repeated criticism of missing or awkward auto-brightness.

Build quality is a major strength thanks to the rugged titanium case, robust design, and adventure-ready construction.

Build quality was polarizing, from solid or surprisingly decent impressions to complaints that the Active looks plastic and cheap.

Button controls are polarized: reviewers like the programmable/quick button, but one long-term reviewer had repeated accidental presses and wanted better workout shortcuts.

Button controls were praised for being genuinely useful on a watch this cheap.

Call handling was one of the stronger smart features, with clear praise for wrist calls, though speaker or distance limitations appeared in some tests.

Charging convenience is hurt by Samsung omitting the wall charger, which one reviewer called stingy.

Charging convenience was only middling because the magnetic charger connects correctly but can leave the watch face-down.

Charging speed was considered good by the reviewer who evaluated it.

Coaching features are a standout, especially Running Coach, which reviewers found useful, personalized, or exceptionally effective.

Coaching was mixed: one workout screen felt plain, while another reviewer was impressed by VO2 Max and training-load style data.

Comfort varies by reviewer: some found it comfortable, including for sleep, while others felt the weight and bulk.

Comfort was generally positive, with reviewers saying it felt good or comfortable despite the large case.

Companion app quality is mixed because Samsung still splits settings and health data across separate apps.

The Mi Fitness companion app was generally considered intuitive, useful, modern, and close to stronger past Xiaomi fitness apps.

Contactless payments were a clear miss because the reviewer explicitly lamented their absence.

Cross-platform compatibility is limited: reviewers note Android support but no current iPhone compatibility.

Cross-platform compatibility was strong, with Android and iPhone use reported without issues.

Customization is strong for widgets, dashboards, watch faces, and tiles, but workout data-screen customization drew a complaint.

Customization was mixed: widgets and tiles impressed, but limited watch-face customization and tiny storage reduced flexibility.

Display quality is consistently praised as vibrant, large, detailed, scratch-resistant, and excellent overall.

Display quality was highly divisive: one reviewer liked clarity, while others criticized the LCD panel versus AMOLED rivals.

Durability is excellent across reviews, from chassis feel to military-standard claims and real-world wear with little damage.

Durability raised concerns, especially around plastic lugs and possible display marks, despite some early scratch-free use.

ECG is treated positively as part of Samsung Health Monitor’s useful health-tool set rather than as a deeply tested medical feature.

Fit is context-dependent: one reviewer liked the big watch on their wrist, while another found it too large.

Fit was mixed because some reviewers liked the light feel, while others found the strap awkward or the case less subtle.

Fitness tracking is broadly positive for running and general activity, though scientific testing framed performance as good enough rather than best-in-class.

Fitness tracking accuracy was praised in one review for the accelerometer-backed ability to track activity accurately.

The flashlight was considered useful enough for simple visibility, with one reviewer noting it was plenty bright.

GPS accuracy is praised by several mainstream reviewers, but scientific testing found visible deviations and placed it behind stronger sports watches.

GPS was a clear weakness because Active lacks built-in GPS and depends on a phone, limiting outdoor route tracking.

Health-tracking accuracy is mixed: reviewers praised some running-related readings, but questioned HRV, blood oxygen, antioxidant-style metrics, and scientific testing placed Samsung below top-tier rivals.

Reviewers generally found health tracking surprisingly capable for the price, with good sensors and benchmark-like readings, though the praise stayed focused on basics.

Heart-rate accuracy is generally good for running and daily fitness, though scientific testing still found better wrist options and exercise-dependent limits.

Heart rate tracking drew strong praise, with multiple reviewers comparing it favorably to pricier devices or medical-style references.

LTE is a meaningful advantage for users who want to run or stay reachable without carrying a phone.

Mapping and navigation benefit from larger storage for offline maps and route-related use, especially for outdoor users.

Mapping and navigation depended on phone GPS, producing useful workout maps but not solving the lack of onboard GPS.

Materials quality is excellent, with praise for titanium, ruggedness, and corrosion-resistant construction.

Materials quality was mixed, with the coating and matte finish liked by some but plastic construction criticized by others.

Menu navigation is mixed: the digital bezel and haptics help, but reviewers miss a rotating bezel/crown and find usability reduced.

Menu navigation was praised as straightforward and well structured, with responsive UI behavior.

Onboard music and storage are valuable for Spotify, podcasts, media, and offline use, especially now that storage is doubled.

Onboard music storage was poor because the watch cannot store or play audio files through the speaker.

The operating system experience is improved by One UI 8, with more functional UI elements and praised new software features.

The OS experience was generally smooth and lightweight, though one reviewer still framed it as basic rather than full smartwatch software.

Outdoor visibility is excellent, with multiple reviewers saying the display remains readable in direct sunlight.

Outdoor visibility was acceptable to good, with reviewers able to see the display outdoors or in sunlight despite display compromises.

Pairing reliability is excellent in the Notebookcheck test, where the watch was recognized and set up without issues.

Pairing and connection reliability were good overall, from a mostly smooth setup to stable ongoing connection.

Recovery-style guidance is a weak spot in one long-term review, where the energy score felt redundant and unhelpful.

Reliability is mostly good, but Notebookcheck reported brief display interruptions during always-on display use.

Reliability was positive where evaluated, with stable syncing and lag-free navigation.

Safety features are helped by LTE, which one reviewer valued for safer phone-free running.

Size options are limited by the single large case, and multiple reviewers describe the Ultra as very big.

Sleep tracking earns mixed marks: reviewers liked the score and some stage consistency, but noted low awake detection and second-tier sleep-stage performance.

Sleep tracking was split: one reviewer found accuracy good with nap detection, while others called the analysis basic or only average.

Notification handling is positive, with one reviewer noting detailed, useful notifications from the watch.

Notifications were useful and reliable for alerts, but several reviewers disliked the inability to reply from the watch.

Core smartwatch features are strong, but some reviews temper praise by noting the 2025 model adds few meaningful upgrades.

Smartwatch features split reviewers: Bluetooth calls and broad functions impressed, but limited apps, no GPS, and basic behavior made it feel tracker-like.

Software smoothness is strong in direct testing, with smooth operation and quick app launches.

Software smoothness was consistently strong, with reviewers praising smooth transitions, animations, equal performance, and lack of lag.

Step counting is strong during normal arm-swinging walks, with a caveat that carts or strollers reduce accuracy.

Step counting was judged fine, with no major pedometer issues reported by the reviewer who assessed it.

Stress tracking was treated as part of the watch’s useful essential health-monitoring package rather than a deeply analyzed feature.

Style is subjective: one reviewer loved the stylish look, while another disliked the rugged, masculine aesthetic.

Style and design split reviewers, from sharp or acceptable looks to complaints that Active appears plasticky and cheap.

Third-party app support benefits from extra storage and useful fitness/media apps, giving users more room for services beyond Samsung’s own tools.

Third-party app support was weak because reviewers noted that extra apps such as Google Maps cannot be installed.

Touchscreen responsiveness was praised as quick and responsive.

The user interface is functional and approachable, though at least one reviewer found parts of the visual design odd.

The interface was mostly easy and smooth, though one reviewer found some graphical screens merely functional.

Value for money is the most contested attribute: reviewers like the watch itself but often question the 2025 refresh and launch price.

Value for money was the most divisive attribute: some called it excellent, while comparison reviews favored spending slightly more on the Lite.

Gemini makes the voice assistant experience notably useful and convenient, especially because the watch screen is small.

Voice assistant support was inconsistent: some Alexa use was helpful, but missing, regional, slow, or read-only behavior held it back.

Watch faces are a major strength, with reviewers praising Samsung’s selection, visual quality, and customization.

Watch faces were well liked for quantity and style, though storage limits held back the gallery experience.

Water resistance is treated positively for pool, rain, snow, and diving-oriented use.

Water resistance earned praise as impressive for the price, though related workout support was more limited.

Wellness insights are useful when they explain metrics or provide coaching, though some newer metrics remain questionable.

Wellness insights impressed one reviewer because VO2-style data and related metrics felt unusually rich at this price.

Workout variety is a strength, with reviewers praising broad activity support, multisport-style capabilities, and Samsung’s wide exercise list.

Workout variety looked broad on paper and often impressed reviewers, but missing water-sport/swim tracking on Active was a recurring limitation.