The budget smartwatch market in India has been overflowing for years, but only a handful of devices genuinely manage to deliver anything meaningful. Realme’s new Watch 5, launched today alongside the P4x 5G, tries to position itself as that rare product, one that doesn’t just chase numbers but tries to fill the gap between a cheap fitness band and a proper smartwatch.
A big part of Realme’s pitch this time is its manufacturing story. The Watch 5 is being built locally under the “Make in India” program through Optiemus Electronics.
It’s a nice detail to mention, but for most buyers, the real concern is, is it a good choice, one that warrants them to spend ₹4499 of their hard-earned money?
Realme has clearly prioritised the screen. The Watch 5 moves up to a 1.97-inch AMOLED panel, and the difference compared to the Watch 3’s smaller 1.80-inch screen shows the moment it lights up.
Colours have more punch, the blacks actually look like they should, and the screen just feels sharper overall, definitely better than what you usually see in this price range.
Realme has pushed the brightness up to 600 nits as well, which helps a lot outdoors, the screen stays readable instead of fading out under direct sunlight.
The build also deserves a mention. The Watch 5 feels more solid in the hand than most budget wearables, with a sturdiness that gives it a slightly more premium character than the price tag would suggest.
The rotating aluminium crown isn’t just for show either; it actually works for scrolling and navigating through menus, which is more intuitive than swiping endlessly on a small screen. A 60Hz refresh adds on to the smooth experience.
The front glass is a flat 2D panel protected by Panda Glass, nothing luxurious, but good enough for day-to-day scuffs. And since Realme has opted for standard 22mm straps, switching to leather, nylon or metal bands later is easy.
The built-in GPS is a serious highlight here. This means you can finally leave your phone behind and still get accurate route tracking in a budget watch.
It’s obviously not trying to replace a high-end marathon watch, but for daily runs, that freedom is a game-changer.
You also get Bluetooth calling, the mic has also got a noise reduction.
For health tracking, the watch covers the essentials: heart rate, SpO2 readings, stress levels and sleep analysis.
Women’s health tracking options are also available. Realme’s companion app now supports 108 sports modes.
A 460mAh battery powers the Watch 5, and Realme claims up to 16 days of regular use. There’s also a stripped-down “Light Mode” that pushes the battery closer to 20 days for those who mainly use the basics.
The IP68 rating means the watch can handle sweat, rain and accidental splashes without stress. It's not meant for deep swimming or high-pressure water, but for everyday use, it’s well protected.
Realme has priced the Watch 5 at Rs 4,499, with a limited introductory price of Rs 3,999. It will be available in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, Light Blue and Sun Orange starting December 10 at 12 PM through Flipkart, Realme’s official site and offline stores.