The Redmi Watch 5 Active and the Garmin Fenix 8 are both designed for tracking sports and fitness activities, but they cater to different needs and offer distinct features.
Redmi Watch 5 Active
- Sports Modes: The Redmi Watch 5 Active supports over 140 workout modes, including running, walking, cycling, elliptical, rowing, jumping rope, and more. It also includes various sports like soccer, yoga, and combat sports. However, it lacks specific modes for water sports despite having a 5ATM water resistance rating[3][4][7].
- Tracking Features: It offers continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurement, sleep tracking, stress level monitoring, and vitality score assessment. The watch can automatically detect activities like running and walking if the auto-detect feature is enabled[4][7].
- Navigation and GPS: While it supports standalone GNSS positioning for precise outdoor tracking, it does not have advanced navigation features like routable offline maps or dynamic round-trip routing found in higher-end GPS watches[1][4].
- Smart Features: It includes smart notifications, playback control, and built-in microphones for making phone calls directly from the watch. However, it lacks advanced smartwatch features like offline playback storage or contactless payments[4][7].
Garmin Fenix 8
- Sports Modes: The Garmin Fenix 8 offers a wide range of sports modes, including dedicated track run and triathlon modes with auto-transition features. It supports structured workouts and full training plans directly on the wrist[2][5].
- Tracking Features: It provides comprehensive tracking and analysis features, including VO2 max estimates, race time predictions, training effect, training load, and performance condition. It also tracks hill score and endurance score, which rate climbing ability and overall endurance[2][5][9].
- Navigation and GPS: The Fenix 8 features advanced GPS capabilities with multiband dual-frequency support, offering precise location tracking. It includes offline mapping with customizable map layers and dynamic round-trip routing, making it ideal for navigation during outdoor activities[5][8].
- Smart Features: It supports offline playback storage from platforms like Spotify and offers Garmin Pay for contactless payments. It also includes a built-in flashlight, which is particularly useful for early morning or late evening activities[8][9].
In summary, the Redmi Watch 5 Active is more suited for casual fitness enthusiasts with a wide range of workout modes but limited advanced tracking and navigation features. The Garmin Fenix 8, on the other hand, is designed for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, offering comprehensive tracking and analysis tools, advanced navigation capabilities, and robust smart features.
Citations:
[1] https://www.mi.com/global/product/redmi-watch-5/
[2] https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/smartwatches/garmin-fenix-8-review
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz1m92XWZtA
[4] https://www.techpunt.nl/en/xiaomi-redmi-watch-5-active.html
[5] https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/gear/tech/a62481867/garmin-fenix-8-review/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ysVzl-xC4w
[7] https://www.mi.com/global/product/redmi-watch-5-active/
[8] https://www.triathlete.com/gear/tech-wearables/we-review-the-brand-new-garmin-fenix-8/
[9] https://gizmodo.com/garmin-fenix-8-review-the-smartwatch-for-super-athletes-2000554025
[10] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/08/garmin-fenix-8-in-depth-review.html