iOS 26 Public Beta Out Now: Liquid Glass Redesign Stuns iPhone Users in India Published July 25, 2025 By Michael B Norris, senior tech journalist with over a 10 yrs exp of Apple beta coverage. When I installed the iOS 26 public beta on my backup iPhone 14 Pro last week, the first thing I noticed was a ghostly glow beneath every icon. Literally, the home screen icons seemed to sit on a pane of glass that caught the light as I scrolled. I spent 10 minutes tapping around - and knew this was not a routine beta drop. That opening impression explains why I'm writing this now: to give readers a hands-on, deeply informed take on Apple’s most sweeping visual shift in over a decade. I have reviewed every major iOS beta since iOS 10. I’ve also conducted developer interviews and tested hardware side-by-side. Here’s what this update really means - for users, designers, and Apple’s broader ecosystem. What’s New – Public Beta Release Apple has now released public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macO...

Redmi Watch 5 Active Launched in India at ₹2,799 with Alexa, 18-Day Battery
Summary Box
Redmi Watch 5 Active launched in India for ₹2,799 with 2-inch display and 18-day battery life.
Features Alexa voice assistant, Bluetooth calling, 140+ sports modes.
Compatible with Android and iOS; water-resistant with IPX8 rating.
Redmi officially launched its latest budget smartwatch, the Redmi Watch 5 Active, in India on August 27, 2024. Priced at ₹2,799.
Features Alexa voice assistant, Bluetooth calling, 140+ sports modes.
Compatible with Android and iOS; water-resistant with IPX8 rating.
Redmi officially launched its latest budget smartwatch, the Redmi Watch 5 Active, in India on August 27, 2024. Priced at ₹2,799.
the new wearable packs impressive features including Alexa voice assistant, Bluetooth calling, and over 140 sports modes.
Note: Prices are subject to change due to market trends always check official site for latest pricing
The Redmi Watch 5 Active is powered by a 470mAh battery, which the company claims can last:
Up to 18 days on typical use
Around 12 days with heavier usage
It charges using magnetic charging pins and weighs 42.2 grams, including the straps.
One of the major highlights of this smartwatch is the integration of Amazon Alexa.
The launch marks another step in Xiaomi’s push to offer affordable yet feature-rich wearables in the Indian market.
The Redmi Watch 5 Active is priced at ₹2,799. It will be available across multiple online platforms including:
Xiaomi India official store
Flipkart
Amazon India
Offline Xiaomi retail stores
The smartwatch will be offered in two color variants: Matte Silver and Midnight Black.
The smartwatch comes with a 2-inch rectangular LCD display, offering a resolution of 320 x 385 pixels and up to 500 nits peak brightness.
Price and Availability
The Redmi Watch 5 Active is priced at ₹2,799. It will be available across multiple online platforms including:
Xiaomi India official store
Flipkart
Amazon India
Offline Xiaomi retail stores
The smartwatch will be offered in two color variants: Matte Silver and Midnight Black.
Display and Build
The smartwatch comes with a 2-inch rectangular LCD display, offering a resolution of 320 x 385 pixels and up to 500 nits peak brightness.
Users can turn off the display simply by placing their palm on the screen. It also supports raise-to-wake and double-tap-to-wake features.
The body is built from zinc alloy metal, giving it a durable feel.
The body is built from zinc alloy metal, giving it a durable feel.
It also has an IPX8 water resistance rating, making it suitable for everyday use, including during workouts and light splashes.
Battery Life and Charging
The Redmi Watch 5 Active is powered by a 470mAh battery, which the company claims can last:
Up to 18 days on typical use
Around 12 days with heavier usage
It charges using magnetic charging pins and weighs 42.2 grams, including the straps.
Voice Assistant and Calling Features
One of the major highlights of this smartwatch is the integration of Amazon Alexa.
Users can interact with Alexa for setting reminders, checking the weather, or controlling smart devices.
The watch also supports Bluetooth calling, thanks to a built-in speaker and a three-microphone system with environmental noise cancellation (ENC).
The watch also supports Bluetooth calling, thanks to a built-in speaker and a three-microphone system with environmental noise cancellation (ENC).
This allows users to make or receive calls directly from their wrist.
Redmi Watch 5 Active is built for health tracking. It supports over 140 sports modes, ranging from running and cycling to yoga and strength training.
It also includes multiple health monitoring features:
24/7 heart rate monitoring
SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking
Sleep quality tracking
Stress monitoring
Menstrual cycle tracking
All collected data can be synced with fitness apps such as Strava, Apple Health, and Mi Fitness (formerly Xiaomi Wear).
According to Mint The smartwatch runs on Xiaomi's HyperOS. It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It also offers Hindi language support, making it accessible to a wider audience in India.
Users can also customize their experience with over 200 watch faces available through the Mi Fitness app.
According to market research from IDC India, demand for smartwatches under ₹5,000 has seen consistent growth in India.
Health and Fitness Features
Redmi Watch 5 Active is built for health tracking. It supports over 140 sports modes, ranging from running and cycling to yoga and strength training.
It also includes multiple health monitoring features:
24/7 heart rate monitoring
SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking
Sleep quality tracking
Stress monitoring
Menstrual cycle tracking
All collected data can be synced with fitness apps such as Strava, Apple Health, and Mi Fitness (formerly Xiaomi Wear).
Software and Compatibility
According to Mint The smartwatch runs on Xiaomi's HyperOS. It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It also offers Hindi language support, making it accessible to a wider audience in India.
Users can also customize their experience with over 200 watch faces available through the Mi Fitness app.
Market Outlook and Industry Perspective
According to market research from IDC India, demand for smartwatches under ₹5,000 has seen consistent growth in India.
With features like Bluetooth calling and Alexa at this price, the Redmi Watch 5 Active directly competes with popular models from brands like Noise and Fire-Boltt.
Industry analysts expect this launch to strengthen Xiaomi’s share in India’s wearables segment, especially among first-time smartwatch buyers and fitness-focused users.
For official specs and more details, visit the Xiaomi India Redmi Watch 5 Active product page.
The Redmi Watch 5 Active combines affordability with features usually found in premium models.
Industry analysts expect this launch to strengthen Xiaomi’s share in India’s wearables segment, especially among first-time smartwatch buyers and fitness-focused users.
For official specs and more details, visit the Xiaomi India Redmi Watch 5 Active product page.
Author’s Opinion: Michael B. Norris
The Redmi Watch 5 Active combines affordability with features usually found in premium models.
While budget smartwatches often compromise on build or battery life, this device appears to offer a balanced mix.
The addition of Alexa and Bluetooth calling under ₹3,000 is noteworthy.
But long-term performance and software updates will be key to customer satisfaction.
Michael B. Norris is a senior tech journalist at TrendingAlone, covering consumer electronics and emerging technology trends across Asia.
About the Author
Michael B. Norris is a senior tech journalist at TrendingAlone, covering consumer electronics and emerging technology trends across Asia.
With over a decade of experience, he specializes in product launches, mobile hardware, and wearables.
His work aims to simplify complex tech news for general readers and bridge the gap between developers and consumers.
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