What smart watch to buy with Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to choosing in 2026

Choosing a smartwatch for a Xiaomi smartphone is a task that requires attention to detail. On the one hand, you want to get the most features for reasonable money, on the other hand, it is important to be fully compatible with the MIUI or HyperOS ecosystem. In 2026, the range of wearable devices from Xiaomi and partners (for example, Amazfit or Redmi) is so wide that it is easy to get lost: from budget fitness bracelets Mi Band 8 to premium Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with Wear OS.

But how do you make the right choice? Should you chase the latest, or a fairly proven model from last year? In this article, we'll look at the key selection criteria, compare top models by price/quality, and uncover the hidden nuances of compatibility that vendors keep silent about. For example, did you know that some Amazfit watches synchronize better with Xiaomi than the brand's own models? Or that the Xiaomi Watch S3 requires an Android 11+ smartphone to work?

If you're looking for more than just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant for sports, health, or smart home management, this guide is for you. We've analyzed user reviews, expert tests, and official data to get an honest rating. And at the end of the article, you'll find an FAQ with answers to the hottest questions (for example, why the Mi Band can't show notifications or how to reset the watch if it freezes).

Why Xiaomi Watch Compatibility Is Important: 3 Key Points

Many customers mistakenly believe that any smartwatch will fit Xiaomi's phone, because it's Android, so it shouldn't be a problem. In practice, it's more complicated: the Mi ecosystem has its own characteristics, and not all features will work correctly with devices from other brands.

• 📱 Version. MIUI/HyperOS: The Wear watch. OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pros require Android 8.0+, But for stable work with Xiaomi, it is better to have Android 11+. On older versions, lags may occur when synchronized.
• 🔄 Synchronization protocol: Xiaomi and Amazfit devices use the proprietary Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), which is optimized for their hardware. Watches from other brands (such as Huawei or Samsung) will work through Google Fit, but you will lose some features, such as managing the smart home Mi Home.
• 🔋 Energy consumption: Some watches (e.g. Amazfit) GTR 4) when connected to Xiaomi, the phone’s battery is consumed 15-20% faster due to background activity of Mi Fitness. MIUI.

Another nuance: if you use dual SIM or eSIM on Xiaomi, some watches may not display notifications correctly. For example, Redmi Watch 3 Active sometimes “loses” messages from Telegram or WhatsApp if they come to a second SIM. The problem is solved by reconnecting the watch, but this is inconvenient.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use the watch to pay through Mi Pay, make sure the model supports this feature. S2 Mi Pay only works in China and Russia, and in Europe this option is blocked.

TOP-5 Smartwatches for Xiaomi in the 2026 Year: Rating by price and function

We selected the best models based on compatibility with Xiaomi, the relevance of firmware and user reviews, and the rating was based on the principle of price / quality, which took into account not only technical specifications, but also real-world experience with Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi phones.

The top-ranked Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is the only model in the line with Wear OS, which opens access to Google Play and thousands of applications. However, its autonomy is significantly lower than that of competitors: when you use it actively (notifications, training, music) you will have to charge every 2-3 days. If you want to work long hours without recharging, pay attention to the Amazfit GTR 4 – it lasts up to 14 days even with sleep monitoring and a pulse meter on.

For those looking for the most budget option, the Redmi Watch 3 Active is the best choice. Despite the low price, it has all the basic features: pedometer, pulsemeter, notifications and even stress control.

Mi Band vs Smart Watches: Which is the Best for Xiaomi?

Many Xiaomi users are faced with a dilemma: buy a fitness bracelet Mi Band or a full-fledged smartwatch.

• ⏱️ Autonomy: Mi Band bracelets last up to 14-20 days, whereas watches rarely last more than a week.
• 🏃 Sports features: Watches (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S3) Offer advanced analytics: VO₂ max, recovery from training, support for treadmills. Mi Band doesn't have these features.
• 📱 Smartphone control: On a watch you can answer calls (if you have a microphone), control music or even dictate messages.
• 💰 Price: Bandlets are 2-3 times cheaper. For example, the Mi Band 8 costs ~4 000 ₽, Redmi Watch 3: 6,500 ₽.

If your budget is tight or you don't need advanced features, the Mi Band 8 Pro is the best choice. It combines the design of the watch (large screen, interchangeable straps) with the autonomy of the wristband. But if you need watch calls, NFC for payment or detailed sports analytics, take a full-fledged watch, for example, the Xiaomi Watch S3.

⚠️ Note: Mi Band 8 and Mi Band 8 Pro are missing GPS. They use it to track the route. GPS If you want to use autonomous navigation (for example, to run without a phone), choose a watch with your own battery. GPS-module.

How to check the compatibility of the watch with your Xiaomi: Step-by-step instructions

Before you buy a watch, make sure it works properly with your Xiaomi model.

1. Check out Android: Go to Settings → About → Android Version. Most watches require Android 8.0+, but Android 11+ is needed to work fully with Wear OS (like Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
2. Install the sync app: Download Mi Fitness (for Xiaomi/Amazfit/Redmi) or Wear OS (for Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) from Google Play. Run it and see if it sees your watch model in the list of supported devices.
3. Check the firmware region: Some features (such as Mi Pay or Xiao AI voice assistant) only work in certain regions.

If you buy a watch from hand, be sure to ask the seller for a screenshot of the Settings menu → About the watch → The firmware version. Outdated firmware may not support new MIUI/HyperOS features. For example, the Amazfit Bip U Pro on firmware up to 1.0.6.14 incorrectly displays notifications from Viber on Xiaomi.

Make sure that the Android version on your phone is not lower than the required version|Download and install the official synchronization application|Check the compatibility of the watch model with your region|Clarify the firmware version (relevant for used devices)|Read reviews about working with your Xiaomi model-->

Hidden features of Xiaomi watches that you didn’t know about

Even experienced users are often unaware of some of the features of Xiaomi’s smartwatches, and here are a few life hacks that will make your use more comfortable:

• 🔊 Phone Camera Control: Mi Band 8 Pro and Xiaomi Watch S3 There's a remote shutter function. Go to the Mi Fitness app, select Device. → Control the camera and sync the clock with the smartphone camera. Now you can take selfies or group photos without running to the phone!
• 🏠 Smart home without smartphone: If you have Mi Home devices (such as light bulbs or sockets), some watches (such as Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) can control them directly. → Wearable devices.
• 🚶 Navigation without phone: In Amazfit GTR 4 and Xiaomi Watch S3 Download them in advance through the Mi Fitness app (Profile) → Settings → Offline maps, and the clock will show the route even without communication with the smartphone.
• 💤 Sleep Breath Monitoring: Redmi Watch 3 Active and later has a hidden function to analyze sleep apnea. To activate it, go to Profile in Mi Fitness → Settings → Sleep regimens → Extended analysis.

Another useful trick: if your Xiaomi watch starts to run out quickly, try turning off the background weather update. Go to the Device in Mi Fitness → Settings → Weather → Update in the background and turn off the option. This can extend the autonomy by 20-30%.

💡

If you have the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, install the alternative launcher Bubble Cloud from Google Play.It allows you to configure quick access to any applications directly from the watch screen, which is convenient for managing a smart home or music.

Frequent issues when connecting a watch to Xiaomi and how to solve them

Even if the watch and phone are compatible, users often encounter bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If Xiaomi watches are constantly disconnected from your phone, try the following:

1. Remove the device from the list of conjugates in Settings → Bluetooth.
2. In Mi Fitness, run the Device → Untie the Watch.
3. Reboot both devices and repeat pairing.

If the problem persists, check to see if the phone is power-saving or background limiting for Mi Fitness. In MIUI 14+/HyperOS, these settings can block stable connectivity.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the watch for Xiaomi

💡

If you’re looking for a watch for sports, look for models with a bioimpedance sensor (such as the Amazfit GTR 4), which measures body composition (muscle, fat, water) more accurately, which is important for monitoring progress in training.