A cracked screen on the Redmi Watch 5 Active can potentially affect its performance in several ways:
1. Touch Sensitivity: A cracked screen may interfere with the touch sensitivity of the watch. If the crack is significant, it could lead to unresponsive or erratic touch inputs, making it difficult to navigate through menus or access features like heart rate monitoring or SpO2 tracking[2][9].
2. Display Visibility: Cracks can obstruct the view of the display, especially if they are located in areas where important information is displayed, such as the time, notifications, or fitness metrics. This could make it harder to read the screen, particularly in bright sunlight, where visibility is already somewhat compromised[1].
3. Water Resistance: Although the Redmi Watch 5 Active has an IPX8 rating, allowing it to withstand water up to 1.5 meters for half an hour, a cracked screen could compromise this water resistance. Water entering the watch could lead to internal damage, affecting its overall performance and longevity[1].
4. Sensor Accuracy: While the watch's sensors for heart rate, SpO2, and other health metrics are located on the underside, a cracked screen might indirectly affect these by causing moisture to enter the watch, which could lead to inaccurate readings[2][9].
5. General Durability: A cracked screen can be a sign of reduced durability and may indicate that other components are more susceptible to damage. This could lead to a decrease in the watch's overall reliability and lifespan.
To mitigate these issues, it's advisable to replace the screen if it's cracked. However, if replacement is not feasible, using a protective screen cover or case might help prevent further damage and maintain some level of functionality.
Citations:
[1] https://www.mensxp.com/technology/reviews/169378-redmi-watch-5-active-smartwatch-detailed-review.html
[2] https://www.mi.com/global/support/faq/details/KA-43156/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSaxhlTIlLE
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10238963/
[5] https://androidguys.com/reviews/redmi-watch-5-lite-review/
[6] https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/your-wireless-earbuds-are-trash-eventually/
[7] https://versus.com/en/samsung-galaxy-watch-active-vs-xiaomi-redmi-watch-5-active
[8] https://hackerone.com/xiaomi
[9] https://www.mi.com/ng/support/faq/details/KA-38278/