Realme Watch 5
The Realme Watch 5 is finally breaking cover after what felt like ages—seriously, last time a new version landed, my nephew was still convinced he’d make it as a YouTube unboxer. This fall, though, leaks and insider shots started surfacing everywhere, and I confess: some of the renders look so clean, I was pretty sure it was all hype until tech forums lit up over the design. Maybe that’s just how rumor season works—half skepticism, half hope.
So, what’s the fuss? The Watch 5 leaps to a 1.97-inch AMOLED screen—almost two inches! That’s big enough to make my aging Watch 3 look like one of those toy calculators from the 90s. Apparently, it can push 600 nits of brightness, which means even in classic “Indian summer, mid-day, direct sunlight” mode, there’s a good shot at seeing my step count (which, by the way, always seems more optimistic than reality). Plus, I like that you get loads of watch face styles—over 300, and a bunch are animated. It’s kind of quirky, but I went through eight faces in two days when testing the old generation.
Battery is no slouch either: 460mAh, and claims of up to 14 days on a single charge. I won’t believe that until I see it myself—I tend to live in permanent “low battery” mode—but if half that is true, it’s still better than recharging everything every three days. There’s a Light Smart Mode, supposedly stretching that to 20 days, which sounds like magic beans. But hey, at least the battery should last years, according to Realme.
Tracking has gotten smarter, too. Built-in GPS, NFC, a compass, and HD voice calls with Bluetooth. In my circle, the GPS bit gets the most excitement, mostly from the runners who still brag about their route maps. The water resistance is IP68, so no drama if someone absent-mindedly wears it in the shower—or, like my cousin, uses it to time her “quick” dips that are anything but quick.
Quick rundown for the curious:
Big, bright, nearly 2-inch AMOLED display—super easy on the eyes, even if you need glasses like me.
All-day health tracking: heart rate, SpO2, sleep, stress. Probably reliable enough unless you expect hospital-grade numbers (which, let’s be honest, almost nobody really does).
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Upgraded battery for weeks-long use—no daily panic about finding a charger.
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GPS, NFC, Bluetooth voice call support, and yes, a bunch of sports modes.
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Two main colors: black and silver. Both with matching straps. My kid wants to graffiti one, but I’m holding out for something “grown-up.”
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There’s talk about a “game mode,” which, frankly, makes me laugh—am I playing chess on my wrist soon? The actual use for that is still murky.
Realme is skipping the “Watch 4,” jumping straight to 5, and for now, official word is “coming soon.” If you’re waiting to upgrade, or just want something that finally feels modern and not stuck in 2022, this looks like the one to watch (yeah, pun intended—I couldn’t resist). Launch is rumored for autumn 2025, but retailers are already getting impatient, so I’m betting we’ll see at least an announcement any day now. For all my head-shaking about leaks, I have to admit: my wrist feels oddly bare now.
