What features are in the smart watch Xiaomi: a detailed guide to the possibilities of 2026

Xiaomi smart watches have long ceased to be just an accessory for displaying time. Today they are full-fledged gadgets that can replace a fitness bracelet, a remote for a smart home and even a partially smartphone. From the budget Mi Band to the flagship Xiaomi Watch S3, everyone will find a model for their tasks. But how to understand all the features to use the device 100%?

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the key features of Xiaomi smartwatches, including hidden chips that are often overlooked in official instructions, how watches monitor health, control music, work with NFC and even help in emergency situations, and also compare the functions of different lines so you can choose the best model.

Let me just say, it depends on the specific model and the firmware version. For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro supports eSIM calls, but the Mi Band 8 does not. But the basic features (stepper, pulsemeter, notifications) are in almost all devices. Let's start with the most important thing: health monitoring.

1. Health monitoring: what does Xiaomi watch do?

The main advantage of Xiaomi smart watches is the comprehensive monitoring of the body. Gadgets analyze not only the pulse, but also the level of oxygen in the blood, sleep quality, stress and even breathing.

• 🩺 Pulse measurement 24/7 — The clock automatically records the heart rate every time. 5–30 Minutes (configured in the Mi Fitness app). S3 watch 2 Pro uses optical sensor PPG third generation with increased accuracy.
• 🛌 Sleep analysis - identifies deep, light sleep and wakefulness phases. Mi Band 8 adds power nap).
• 💨 SpO₂ (oxygenation is a critical parameter, especially for athletes and people with lung diseases. S3 The measurement is only 30 seconds long.
• 🧘 Stress Level – The clock analyzes heart rate variability (HRV) and give recommendations for relaxation.
• 🩹 Women's Health - Tracking menstrual cycle, ovulation and PMS symptoms (available in Mi Fitness and Zepp Life).

Important: sensor data is not a substitute for medical diagnostics, but it helps to detect abnormalities in time, for example, if the clock constantly records a low level of the patient. SpO₂ (Below 90%, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

⚠️ Note: In non-display models (such as the Mi Band Lite), some health features are not available.

Fitness and Sports: How Does the Watch Help in Training?

Xiaomi's smartwatch is a personal trainer on the wrist, and it not only counts steps, but it automatically recognizes activities, builds routes (in GPS models), and analyzes the effectiveness of training.

• 🏃 150+ Exercise modes - from running and swimming to yoga and climbing. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro added professional modes for triathlon and rowing.
• 🗺️ GPS + GLONASS – accurate route tracking without being tied to a smartphone (available in Watch) S3, Watch 2 Pro and others.).
• 🏊 Water resistance 5 ATM — You can swim in the pool or open water (but not dive deeper than 50 m).
• 📊 Analysis VO₂ max - estimate of maximum oxygen consumption important for endurance (available in premium models).
• 🔥 Calories and active minutes – the clock counts the calories burned and reminds you to move.

For runners, the virtual pacer feature in the Xiaomi Watch S3 is particularly useful, helping to maintain a set pace by prompting voice alerts, while cycling enthusiasts will benefit from integration with speed and thrust sensors (via ANT+ in the Watch 2 Pro).

⚠️ Attention: For accurate tracking of running or cycling, enable High Accuracy in the watch settings GPS. This will increase battery consumption but improve route accuracy.

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To save battery power during long workouts, turn off the background pulse measurement in the sports settings. Turn it on only when necessary.

3. Smart Notifications and Smartphone Management

Xiaomi’s smartwatches are closely integrated with the MIUI and Android ecosystem, and can duplicate smartphone notifications, control music, answer calls, and even run a voice assistant.

• 📱 Notifications from messengers – the watch shows messages from WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, etc. In Watch 2 Pro you can respond with voice or fast templates.
• 🎵 Music management – track switching, volume control (works with Spotify, Yandex Music, Apple Music).
• 📞 Clock calls – in models with microphone and speaker (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S3) You can answer calls right from the wrist.
• 🗣️ Voice Assistant – support for Alice (for Russia), Google Assistant or Xiao AI (china).
• 🔍 Phone search – if your smartphone is lost, the watch will help you find it by the beep.

For iPhone owners, functionality is limited: not all notifications are synchronized correctly, and responses to messages are available only in some models.

An interesting feature is the Do Not Disturb mode, which can be set to a schedule (e.g., for sleep time) or manually enabled so that notifications do not distract. In the Mi Band 8, this mode is activated by double-tapping the screen.

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone|Allow notifications in Mi Fitness settings|Select applications for synchronization in Settings → Notifications|Update the watch to the latest version-->

4.NFC and Contactless Payments: How to Set Up?

One of the most popular features in premium models is contactless payments via NFC. The Xiaomi Watch S3 and Watch 2 Pro have a chip built in that supports Mi Pay (in China), Google Pay (in international versions), and even Mir Pay (in Russia).

1. Add a card: Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app. Go to Device → Xiaomi Pay. Scan your bank card or enter data manually. Confirm the addition via SMS from the bank.

Payment:

Important: Russia with 2026 yearly payment NFC The clock requires a Mir Pay or SBP (Fast Payment System) link. Visa/Mastercard They may not work due to sanctions.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting the clock to the factory settings, the attached cards are removed, they will have to be added again, and some banks may also block the associated cards. NFC-Payment from wearable devices – check the conditions with your bank.

5. Smart Home Management and Other Hidden Functions

Xiaomi’s smartwatch could be the remote control for the Mi Home ecosystem, which can turn on the lights, adjust the temperature of a smart thermostat, or even run a robot vacuum cleaner.

1. Make sure that your watch and smart devices are tied to a single Xiaomi account.
2. Open the Mi Home app on the watch (available in the Watch S3 and Watch 2 Pro).
3. Select the device you want and control it through the watch interface.

In addition, there are little-known functions in the watch, which many do not know about:

• 🔦 Lantern in Mi Band 8 and Watch S3 You can turn on the screen lighting at maximum brightness.
• ⏱️ Secret mode - displaying time only when you bring your hand to the clock (saves battery).
• 🎮 Games - in Mi Band 7/8 There are simple games like "2048" or "Snake" for short breaks.
• 📸 Camera Control – Watches can serve as a remote for taking selfies on a smartphone.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro also has a “At Work” mode that turns off all notifications except important ones (calls, alarms) and saves you from distractions in the office.

6. Autonomy and charging: how to extend the life of the battery?

One of the biggest problems with smartwatches is fast battery life, and in low-end models like the Mi Band 8, charging lasts 10 to 14 days, and in advanced Watch 2 Pros, it lasts only 2-3 days when used actively.

• 🔋 Turn off the background pulse measurement – set the interval of 30 minutes instead of 5.
• 📴 Reduce the brightness of the screen and reduce the backlight time.
• 🚫 Turn off unnecessary notifications – leave only important (calls, SMS).
• 🛜 Use flight mode while sleeping or exercising without GPS.
• 🔄 Update your firmware – newer versions often optimize power consumption.

For models with Wear OS (such as Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro), there is an additional trick: disable the interface animation in the developer settings.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use non-original chargers - this could damage the battery.In Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the magnetic connector has a unique shape and third-party charging may not be suitable.

7. Model comparison: which Xiaomi watch to choose in 2026?

To make it easier to choose, compare the key models in terms of functionality and price, and note that prices can vary by region and by stock.

The choice depends on your tasks:

• 💰 Budget up to 5,000 ₽: Mi Band 8 is the best option for fitness and basic monitoring.
• 🏃 Sport and GPS: Redmi Watch 4 or Xiaomi Watch S3 (If you need a premium design).
• 📞 Maximum autonomy: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with eSIM and Wear OS.

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If you need a swim watch, choose a 5 ATM model (such as the Xiaomi Watch S3). The Mi Band 8 is also suitable for the pool, but in open water it is better not to take risks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi smart watches