Xiaomi Smart Watches: The Complete 2026 Guide for Beginners and Power Users

Xiaomi smartwatches are no longer just an accessory for athletes or geeks. Today, they are full-fledged gadgets that replace the smartphone in everyday tasks, monitor health and even control the smart home. But what exactly is hidden under the term “smart watch” in the Xiaomi lineup? How do they differ from the fitness bracelets Mi Band, and what tasks solve better than a smartphone?

If you're just starting out with wearable electronics or you're planning to upgrade your gadget, this article will help you put it all together.

• 🔹 How smart watches differ from classic and fitness bracelets
• 🔹 What Xiaomi models are relevant in 2026 (from budget to premium)
• 🔹 How they work with Android and iPhone – limitations and capabilities
• 🔹 Hidden features that are not written in advertising

Spoiler: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro can measure pressure without a cuff, and Mi Band 8 can control the camera of the smartphone gestures.

1. Smart watch vs fitness bracelet vs classic watch: what's the difference?

Many people confuse smartwatches with fitness bracelets or think of them as just a "digital version" of a mechanical watch, in fact, three different categories of gadgets with unique tasks:

The key difference between Xiaomi smart watches and fitness bracelets is the presence of a full-fledged operating system (MIUI Watch or Wear OS), Support for third-party apps and the ability to work autonomously without a smartphone. For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro can receive calls through a built-in speaker and microphone, while the Mi Band 8 only vibrates when an incoming call is made.

But there is also the flip side: smart watches require frequent charging (on average, once every 3-5 days), and their price starts from 5 000. ₽ — The Mi Band 8 fitness bracelet will cost $3,000. ₽ and will work without recharging for up to 16 days.

⚠️ Attention: If you only need a pedometer and notifications, it doesn't make sense to overpay for a smartwatch, but if you want to make phoneless calls, navigate maps, or manage a smart home, you can't do without them.

2.Relevant Xiaomi smartwatch models in 2026: a comparison

In 2026, Xiaomi will offer 5 main smartwatch lines, each geared towards different tasks and budgets.

• 📱 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – flagship with Wear OS, support SIM-maps, screen AMOLED 1.43" and pressure sensor, suitable for replacing the smartphone in everyday tasks.

The most popular model today is the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. It runs on Wear OS (Unlike other countries where it is used MIUI Watch, which gives you access to thousands of apps from Google Play, like installing Google Maps for navigation or Spotify for music.

But there is a nuance: Watch 2 Pro requires binding to a smartphone on Android 8.0+. With iPhone, it works only in a stripped down mode (without notifications from third-party applications).

3. How Xiaomi smart watches monitor health: sensors and accuracy

One of the biggest benefits of Xiaomi's smartwatches is health monitoring, but not all sensors are equally useful, and some metrics require critical evaluation, and let's look at what the watch measures and how much confidence it can be.

Principal sensors and their purpose

• ❤️ Heart rate sensor (PPG) — It's measuring your heart rate in real time: ±2 beats / min compared to a medical tonometer.
• 🩺 Blood oxygen sensor (SpO₂) — Helps detect hypoxia (for example, sleep apnea) error: up to 2%.
• 😴 accelerometer + gyroscope – tracks sleep phases (deep, superficial, REM). precision: ~85% compared to polysomnography.
• 🌡️ Skin temperature sensor – detects changes that may indicate stress or the onset of disease.
• 🩹 Blood pressure sensor (only in Watch 2 Pro) – measures pressure without a cuff, but requires calibration with a medical tonometer.

Importantly, no smart gadget can replace professional medical diagnostics, such as the Watch 2 Pro's pressure sensor showing relative changes, not absolute values, and accurate readings require a classic tonometer.

Another feature is the assessment of stress by heart rate variability (HRV). The watch analyzes the intervals between heartbeats and gives recommendations for relaxation. In Mi Fitness, this is displayed as a graph with levels: "Relaxed," "Norma," "Stress," "Overworking".

⚠️ Attention: If the watch consistently shows high levels of stress, it may not be due to your condition, but to the wrong fit on the arm.

💡

To accurately measure the pulse and SpO₂ When exercising, wear a clock 2-3 fingers above your wrist, which reduces artifacts from hand movements.

4. Android and iPhone Compatibility: What Works and What Doesn't

Xiaomi’s smartwatch officially supports both types of smartphones, but the functionality is very different.

If you have an iPhone, consider alternatives like the Apple Watch or Amazfit, which offer more features for iOS. Xiaomi paired with an iPhone is turning into an “expensive fitness bracelet” with limited notifications.

For Android, everything works perfectly, but there is a caveat: some features (for example, Always-On Display) can conflict with the energy-saving modes of the smartphone. If the watch screen goes out too quickly, check the battery settings in Settings → Special facilities → Optimizing the battery.

💡

You can tie Xiaomi’s smartwatch to your iPhone, but 70% of the features will be blocked.To be fully used, you need Android 8.0 or later.

5. Hidden functions not mentioned in the instructions

Manufacturers rarely advertise all the features of their gadgets. Here are 5 non-obvious chips of Xiaomi smart watches that will come in handy in everyday life:

• 🔦 Lantern – Hold the power button for 3 seconds to turn the screen backlight at maximum brightness. Works even if the clock is discharged (the residual charge lasts for 5-10 minutes).
• 📸 Smartphone camera control: Mi Fitness has a Remote Shutter mode, and you can take pictures with gestures or a timer.
• 🔊 Phone search – if the smartphone is lost at home, click on the menu hours Find the phone – it will start to ring loudly, even if there is a silent mode.
• ⚡ Fast charging – if you connect the watch to charging for 30 minutes, the battery will recover by 50% (works on models with Magnetic Charging).
• 🏠 Smart home management – through the Mi Home application you can turn on lights, sockets or a robot vacuum cleaner right from the clock (you need to connect to one Wi-Fi network).

Another little-known possibility is the schedule mode, which is, for example, you can set up automatic notifications to turn off from 22:00 to 8:00.

1. Open on the clock Settings → Don't disturb.
2. Select Scheduled.
3. Set the time and days of the week.

And here's the Theatre mode, which turns off the backlight when you touch it, hidden deep in the settings, to activate it.

Settings → Display → Theatre Mode → Turn on

Check the firmware version (Settings) → About the clock)

Activate Developer Mode (5 times tap on build number)

Update Mi Fitness to the latest version

Reset the clock after the changes-->

6.How to choose Xiaomi smart watch: checklist for the buyer

The choice of smartwatches depends on your tasks, and here are the key criteria to help you not to go wrong:

1. Define the main purpose

• 🏃 For sports: need GPS, waterproof 5ATM long-term autonomy → Xiaomi Watch S3.
• 📞 For calls without a phone: required SIM/eSIM microphone → Watch 2 Pro.
• 💼 For the office: stylish design and notifications are important → Watch 1.75".
• 🩺 Health: Priority – Pressure sensors, SpO₂, stress → Watch 2 Pro or Watch S3.

2. Check compatibility with your smartphone

As we wrote earlier, with the iPhone, the watch is in a pared-down mode. If you have an iPhone, look for models with proprietary firmware (not Wear). OS), For example, Xiaomi Watch S3 — They are devoid of some functions, but more stable synchronized.

3. Autonomy vs Functionality

The smarter the watch, the faster it discharges.

• 🔋 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (Wear OS) — 2-3 days.
• 🔋 Xiaomi Watch S3 (MIUI Watch - 7-12 days.
• 🔋 Mi Band 8 (fitness bracelet) – up to 16 days.

If you want maximum autonomy, look at the Watch. S3 Hybrid models like the Mijia Watch S1 Pro (up to 20 days on a single charge).

4. Design and straps

Xiaomi has models with removable straps (20 mm or 22 mm) and whole-leaf bracelets. The first one is versatile - you can change it to a leather or silicone strap for the mood. S3) They look more stylish but cannot be replaced.

⚠️ Warning: If you are allergic to silicone, choose models with fluoro rubber straps (such as the Watch 2 Pro) or buy a replacement strap made of hypoallergenic materials right away.

5 Where to Buy: Official and Unofficial Channels

Official Xiaomi watches for Russia are sold with localized firmware and warranty. Buying on AliExpress or in uncertified stores, you risk getting:

• 🚫 Cut firmware (for example, without Russian language).
• 🚫 No guarantee (even if the seller promises otherwise).
• 🚫 Fake (especially relevant for Watch 2 Pro models).

Checked sites: Mi Store, Svyaznoy, M. Video, Wildberries (at official sellers).

7. Frequent problems and how to solve them

Even the most reliable gadgets sometimes fail. TOP-5 Xiaomi smartwatch problems and ways to fix them:

If the clock has stopped responding to touch, try a forced reset:

1. Press the physical button for 15-20 seconds.


2. Wait for the vibration and the Xiaomi logo.




3. Release the button.

If the problem recurs, it may indicate a hardware defect (e.g., detachment of the screen plume), in which case, contact the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions