What Xiaomi smart watch to choose in 2026: comparison of models, pros and cons

Choosing Xiaomi smart watches in 2026 The year has become more difficult: the brand offers more 10 models - from budget fitness bracelets to premium hours with AMOLED-screens and autonomy to 14 But how do you make the mistake of buying exactly what you want? This article will help you understand the key differences, the hidden limitations of the Chinese versions and the nuances of compatibility with the Chinese version. iPhone/Android.

We analyzed the specifications, user reviews and test results to come up with an honest rating, taking into account not only the price and design, but also parameters such as sensor accuracy, GPS speed, the convenience of the MIUI Watch firmware, and focused on models that are officially sold in Russia - without the risk of warranty or localization problems.

Key criteria for choosing Xiaomi smart watches

Before you compare specific models, you need to prioritize them.

• 🔋 Autonomy: 5 days (Watch 2 Pro) to 14 days (Mi Band 8 Pro) The more screen and features, the more often you will have to charge.
• 🏃 Sporting features: basic pedometer vs. professional tracking 150+ sports with analysis VO₂ max.
• 📱 Compatibility: Many features (payment, voice assistant) won't work on iPhones. Check Mi Fitness or Zepp Life support.
• 💰 Budget: From 3,000 ₽ for Mi Band 8 to 25,000 ₽ watch S3 Pro with sapphire glass.

Note the firmware version: Chinese models (with the CN suffix) often lack Google Pay, Alexa and Russian on the menu. The official global versions (Global) cost 10-20% more, but will eliminate localization problems.

TOP-5 smart watches Xiaomi in 2026: a comparative table

⚠️ Attention: Autonomy is indicated for the base mode (notification) + pedometers: When used actively GPS, For example, the Watch 2 Pro with the tracking of the route turned on will run out in 8-10 hours.

The best smart watches Xiaomi for sports and fitness

If your goal is to accurately monitor your workouts, look for models that support Firstbeat Analytics. VO₂ max, recovery, stress and multisystem GPS. Leaders in this segment:

• 🏆 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: 150+ Sports modes, BioTracker 5 sensor PPG Heart rate, mountaineering barometer. Supports.fit files for Strava.
• 🏃 Xiaomi Watch S3: It's 20g lighter than the Watch 2 Pro, but with the same sensor set.
• 💪 Mi Band 8 Pro: budget version with 100+ sports regimes, but without a barometer and less accurate GPS.

For running and cycling, the time of the first GPS fixation is critical:

• Watch 2 Pro: ~10 seconds (with A-GPS)
• Watch S3: ~15 seconds
• Mi Band 8 Pro: ~30 seconds

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Before your first training session, update your A-GPS data in the clock settings (Settings → System → Update GPS data) and this will reduce your satellite search time by 20-40%.

⚠️ Note: In the Redmi Watch models 4 and Mi Band 7/8 (non-Pro) no built-in GPS — They use data from their smartphone, which makes them unsuitable for self-driving jogging without a phone.

Xiaomi smart watches for everyday use: notifications, payment, design

If you need a watch as a replacement for your smartphone for notifications, calls, and contactless payments, pay attention to:

• 📞 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: microphone + caller, NFC for Mi Pay/Google Pay (in the global version), 230+ face-piece.
• 💳 Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro: metal case, sapphire glass, support for AliPay (in Chinese version).
• 🎨 Redmi Watch 4: 200+ dials, including animated ones, but without NFC.

Key limitations:

• On the iPhone does not work: voice assistant, answers to messages, install third-party applications.
• In the Chinese versions there is no Google Pay and Russian language in the firmware (only in the application).
• Voice calls are available only in models with a microphone (Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3).

Xiaomi smartwatches: what to choose up to 7000 ₽

In the segment up to 7000 ₽ lead two models:

1. Mi Band 8 Pro (6 000–8 000 ₽): ✅ Large screen (1.74"), GPS, 150 modes of sport. ❌ No. NFC, microphone, dynamics.
2. Redmi Watch 4 (5 000–7 000 ₽): ✅ Largest screen (1.97) - 200+ face-piece. ❌ No. GPS, Autonomy for only 5-7 days.

Which is better?

• For sports - definitely Mi Band 8 Pro (more precisely, sensors, there is GPS).
• For notifications and style, Redmi Watch 4 (large screen, metal frames)

Xiaomi Smart Watches: Should You Overpay?

Models for 20,000+ ₽ (Watch 2 Pro, Watch S1 Pro) justified if you need:

• 🛡️ Premium materials: sapphire glass, stainless steel, ceramic back panel.
• 📡 Precisely. GPS: Support for 5 satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, QZSS).
• 🎧 Offline music: 2 GB of memory for tracks (in Watch 2 Pro).
• 💳 NFC Payment: Google Pay in the global version, Mi Pay in Chinese.

But there are pitfalls:

• The Watch S1 Pro is only 5 days autonomous (vs 12 days for the Watch S3).
• The price of the Watch 2 Pro in Russia is often overpriced by 20-30% due to low availability.
• Functions like SpO₂ (oxygen saturation only works in sleep mode.

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Xiaomi's premium watches are only profitable when buying the global version (Global).The Chinese versions (CN) are stripped of Google Pay, Alexa and often have Russian language issues in firmware.

How to distinguish the original from the fake: 5 key signs

Xiaomi is flooded with counterfeits, especially in the under 10,000 segment. ₽. Check it out:

1. Packaging: The original has a hologram, the serial number on the box matches the number on the clock (Settings → About the phone).
2. Firmware: counterfeits often lack the MIUI Watch branded menu, and an unknown app is used instead of Mi Fitness.
3. Sensors: In the original, when you press the screen in heart rate mode, you see the animation of the heart. In the fakes, you see a static image.
4. NFC: In the Watch 2 Pro (Global), the payment chip is located to the right of the charging connector. It is often not present in counterfeits.
5. Price: if the Mi Band 8 Pro sells for $3,000 ₽ — It is 100% fake (the original cost is from 6000 USD). ₽).

⚠️ Attention: Fakes often pose as a lack of Russian on the menu and errors in the translation of the application. For example, the original Mi Fitness does not have typos like "Steps Today: 1000 steps".

Check the serial number on the official website:

https://www.mi.com/global/verify/#/en/tab/imei

Type in IMEI (located in Settings → About Phone) If the site gives an error, it's a fake.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi smart watches