Realme has officially brought the Realme Watch 5 to India, and I think it marks an interesting step in the company’s growing wearable lineup. The brand is positioning it as a display-focused smartwatch with reliable navigation, and it also carries the “Made in India” label, which Realme seems quite proud of. At a price of ₹4,499, the Watch 5 appears to sit in that sweet spot for budget buyers who still want a premium-looking smartwatch. Sales begin on December 10 at 12 PM.

Contents

Key Takeaways
Display and Design Build
Connectivity and Navigation
Health and Software Features
Battery Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

Price: ₹4,499
Display: 1.97-inch AMOLED with 60Hz refresh rate
Battery Life: Up to 16 days on standard mode
Navigation: Independent GPS with 5 GNSS satellite positioning
Durability: IP68 resistance to water and dust
Availability: Sale starts December 10 through official channels

Display and Design Build

Realme has fitted the Watch 5 with a 1.97-inch AMOLED panel, which is still somewhat rare in the sub-₹5,000 category where many brands continue to opt for LCD screens. The display resolution sits at 390×450 pixels, and the 60Hz refresh rate gives the interface a noticeably smoother feel. In practice, the 600-nits peak brightness should allow most users to read notifications outdoors without too much effort, although extremely bright sunlight may still require adjusting the wrist a bit.

The watch itself uses an aluminum alloy crown that feels like it could add a touch of durability as well as improve navigation. There is a honeycomb pattern around the speaker opening, which I suppose helps reduce distortion or prevents water from staying trapped. The IP68 rating means it can handle dust exposure and brief water submersion, so using it during a swim or in the rain should not pose any issues. Color choices include Vibrant Orange, Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Mint Blue, offering a mix of bold and subtle tones.

With Bluetooth 5.4 onboard, the Watch 5 benefits from better stability and range compared to older Bluetooth versions, and it should help slightly with power efficiency too. One of the more compelling features, especially for runners or cyclists, is the independent GPS. Realme is using 5 GNSS satellite systems, and this usually translates to more consistent route tracking accuracy without requiring a smartphone in your pocket.

There is also Bluetooth Intercom support, which typically enables short-range communication between compatible devices. The actual range will depend on the surroundings, which is something users might want to test themselves. The watch includes a built-in compass and NFC card functionality as well, though NFC use cases often vary by region.

Health and Software Features

The Watch 5 includes 108 sports modes, giving casual exercisers and more committed users plenty of activity profiles to explore. Post-workout indicators are available, the sort that help users get a better sense of their performance trends. The standard health tracking features Heart Rate, SpO2, sleep monitoring, and stress tracking are all present. It also includes menstruation management, which has become a fairly standard but still meaningful addition.

Realme has added what it calls “Game Guardian Mode.” While it sounds a bit unusual for a smartwatch, it seems intended to monitor stress spikes or elevated heart rate during intense gaming sessions. I think this feature makes sense for users who tend to game for long stretches without noticing physical strain.

Battery Performance

Battery life is one of those aspects people in India pay close attention to, and Realme claims up to 16 days of use on standard settings. This may vary quite a bit depending on how often GPS is used and whether Always-On Display is active. Still, considering the power draw of AMOLED panels, the rated backup does feel reassuring, especially for people who dislike charging their watch every couple of days.