Xiaomi’s ecosystem is famous not only for smartphones, but also for its wide range of wearables. However, not everyone knows that not only Mi Band or Watch brand smartwatches can be connected to the brand’s phones, but also models from other manufacturers. The main thing is to correctly assess compatibility, functionality and own needs. In this article, we will analyze which smartwatches are best integrated with Xiaomi, which features will be available and which ones will not, and what to look for when choosing.
To be clear, there is no universal watch that works for everyone: athletes need accurate heart rate sensors and GPS, office workers need notifications and long-term autonomy, and tech enthusiasts need NFC support for contactless payments. We analyzed more than 30 models and selected those that are guaranteed to work with MIUI without failure, offer maximum functionality and justify their price.
Branded smart watches Xiaomi: pros and cons
Let’s start with the obvious option – watches from Xiaomi itself. the brand offers several lines: budget Mi Band (technically it is a fitness bracelet, but with a time display function), classic Xiaomi Watch and premium Xiaomi Watch S. Their main advantage is 100% compatibility with MIUI firmware and proprietary Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life).
But there are pitfalls, too: the Mi Band 8 does not support Always-On Display, and the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro does not have its own app store, and some features (such as measuring blood oxygen) may not work smoothly on older smartphone models.
- 📱 Xiaomi Watch S3 — flagship of 2026 with AMOLED-display 1.43", support for eSIM, 150+ sports modes and autonomy up to 15 days, ideal for owners of Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70.
- 💪 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – the optimal balance of price and capabilities: Sapphire Glass, the military standard of durability, but no NFC for Russian banks.
- 🏃 Mi Band 8 Pro - budget version with a GPS 1.74" screen, but without Wi-Fi support and limited notification synchronization.
⚠️ Note: When connecting Xiaomi Watch S3 Android 12 and below may have trouble syncing notifications from Telegram and WhatsApp, so update the watch firmware to version 1.5.84 or higher.
If you want a watch purely for fitness, the Mi Band is the best choice for price/quality. For everyday use with an emphasis on style and autonomy, you should look at the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. But the Xiaomi Watch S3 is suitable for those who are willing to pay for premium features like eSIM and extended telemetry.
Smart watches of other brands: what is compatible with Xiaomi
Many users mistakenly believe that Xiaomi can only be connected to branded watches.In fact, most models on Wear OS (such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch) or proprietary platforms (such as the Huawei Watch GT) work perfectly with MIUI.
- Support for Bluetooth 5.0+ protocol – without it, communication breaks are possible.
- An official Android app (e.g. Huawei Health or Galaxy Wearable)
Below is the table of compatibility of popular models with Xiaomi (tested on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and Xiaomi 14 Ultra):
| Model clock | Compatibility with MIUI | Available functions | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | ✅ Complete. | Notifications, calls, Samsung Pay, sleep monitoring | No synchronization with Mi Fitness, autonomy is reduced by 20% |
| Huawei Watch GT 4 | ✅ Complete. | Precise pulsemeter, NFC (Huawei Pay only), 14 days of autonomy | Huawei Health App Is In Conflict With Google Fit |
| Amazfit GTR 4 | ✅ Partial | 150+ sports modes, Always-On Display, pressure and SpO₂ | No support for Xiao AI voice assistant |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | ❌ Limited. | Notifications, pedometer | No sync with Mi Fitness, no calls without iPhone |
Critical information: Watches on Wear OS 3+ (such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or Fossil Gen 6) require you to install the Google Wear OS app, which may conflict with Xiaomi branded services (such as Mi Fitness).
If you want a watch with maximum autonomy, look for the Huawei Watch GT 4 (up to 14 days) or Amazfit GTR 4 (up to 21 days in base mode).For Apple ecosystem enthusiasts, connecting the Apple Watch to Xiaomi is possible, but the functionality will be trimmed to a basic fitness tracker.
How to connect a smart watch to Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
The connection process depends on the model of the watch, but the overall scheme is the same for most devices. We will consider the universal algorithm for the example of Xiaomi Watch S3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.
Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone (path: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth)
Charge the clock to 50% or more
Install a branded app (Mi Fitness or Galaxy Wearable)
Update the watch to the latest version
Reboot your smartphone (recommended for stability)-->
For the Xiaomi Watch S3:
- Open the Mi Fitness app and click Add Device.
- Select the Xiaomi Watch S3 from the list.
- Bring the watch to the phone and confirm pairing on both devices.
- Wait for the data to sync (it can take up to 5 minutes).
For the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6:
- Install Galaxy Wearable and Samsung Health apps.
- Turn on the watch pairing mode (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
- In Galaxy Wearable, select Connect a new watch.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to enter a Samsung account).
⚠️ Note: When connecting Huawei Watch GT 4 to Xiaomi disable battery optimization for Huawei Health app (path: Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Huawei Health → Battery → Without restrictions, otherwise the synchronization will be interrupted.
If the clock is not connected, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and watch.
- 📱 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and repeat pairing.
- 🔧 Update the firmware of the watch through the company software.
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If no notifications from messengers come after you connect, check the permission settings for the watch application in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Notifications and enable access to all notifications.
Comparison of Functionality: What Works and What Doesn't
Not all smartwatch features are available when connected to Xiaomi, for example, the Apple Watch will not be able to use Siri without an iPhone, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch will lose some of the capabilities of Samsung Pay.
| Function | Xiaomi Watch S3 | Samsung GW6 | Huawei GT4 | Apple Watch S9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notifications (calls, SMS, messengers) | ✅ Completely. | ✅ Completely. | ✅ Completely. | ✅ Notifications only |
| Answering phone calls in hours | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Contactless payments (NFC) | ✅ Mi Pay (China) | ✅ Samsung Pay | ✅ Huawei Pay | ❌ No. |
| Installation of third-party applications | ❌ No. | ✅ Play Market | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Voice assistant | ✅ Xiao AI | ✅ Bixby | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
Special attention should be paid to contactless payments. in Russia Xiaomi Watch S3 not officially supported NFC-Payment via Mir Pay or SBP. Alternative – Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 with Samsung Pay, which works with most Russian banks (for example, Tinkoff, Sberbank, VTB).
If you are critically important to third-party apps (like Spotify or Strava), the only option is a Wear OS watch (like Samsung or Fossil). Xiaomi’s branded watches do not have this capability, but offer more stable work with MIUI.
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For maximum compatibility with Xiaomi, choose a watch on proprietary platforms (such as the Xiaomi Watch or Huawei Watch GT). Models on Wear OS give more freedom, but can conflict with branded services.
Autonomy and charging: what is important to know
One of the key parameters for choosing smartwatches is battery life, with e-ink displays (such as the Amazfit GTR 4) or optimized software (such as the Huawei Watch GT 4) leading the way, but the actual autonomy depends on the use case:
- 🔋 Basic mode (stepmer, time, notifications): up to 21 days (Amazfit) GTR 4).
- 🏃 Sporting regime (GPS, pulsemeter: 5-7 days (Xiaomi Watch) S3).
- 📱 Extended regime (permanent) AOD, Notifications, calls: 1-2 days (Samsung Galaxy Watch 6).
Charging speeds also vary.For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro charges up to 100% in 45 minutes thanks to Magnetic Charging technology, whereas the Huawei Watch GT 4 requires 2 hours.If you often forget to charge gadgets, look for models with wireless charging (for example, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6), which can be recharged with a smartphone with support for Reverse Wireless Charging (like the Xiaomi 14 Pro).
⚠️ Note: When using Xiaomi Watch S3 with the Always-On Display enabled and NFC The autonomy is reduced from 15 to 5-6 days. To extend the operating time, turn off. AOD in the settings of the clock (Display) → Always-On).
For those looking for maximum autonomy, the best choice is the Amazfit GTR 4 (up to 21 days) or the Huawei Watch GT 4 (up to 14 days).If fast charging is the priority, then the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.
Design and Materials: What to Choose for Everyday Use
Smartwatches are not just functional, they're accessory, and the design and materials of the case affect wear comfort, weight, and even sensor accuracy.
- 💎 Case material: Aluminum (lightweight but less durable) - Xiaomi Watch 2. Stainless steel (premium look, heavier) - Xiaomi Watch S3, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Plastic (budget, lightweight) - Mi Band 8, Amazfit Bip 5.
- 🖥️ Screen type: AMOLED — Bright, contrasting, but consuming battery (Xiaomi Watch) S3). LCD — Less energy-consuming, but with worse viewing angles (Mi Band 8 Pro). E-ink is minimal power consumption, but monochrome (Amazfit) GTR 4).
For office or business style, a watch with a metal body and leather strap (for example, Xiaomi Watch S3 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic) is suitable. For sports, it is better to choose models with silicone strap and water protection according to the 5 ATM standard (for example, Amazfit GTR 4 or Huawei Watch GT 4).
Pay attention to the size of the screen:
- 👍 1.3-1.4" - optimal for most (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro).
- 👎 1.7" or more - can be bulky for a thin wrist (Mi Band 8 Pro).
If you wear watches around the clock, choose models weighing up to 50 g (for example, Amazfit Bip 5 - 33 g). For periodic use (for example, only in training), weight is not so critical.
Price and where to buy: tips for choosing
The cost of smart watches varies from 3 000 ₽ for Mi Band 8 to 40,000 ₽ Xiaomi Watch S3 The price doesn't always reflect real value, but budget recommendations are below:
- 💰 Up to 5,000. ₽: Mi Band 8 or Amazfit Bip 5 – basic fitness tracker with a minimum set of features.
- 💵 5 000–15 000 ₽: Xiaomi Watch 2 or Huawei Watch GT 4 - the optimal balance of price and opportunity.
- 💎 15 000–30 000 ₽: Xiaomi Watch S3 Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – premium features and design.
Where to buy:
- 🛒 Official stores: Mi Store, Samsung Shop, Huawei Store – a guarantee of 1-2 years, but the price is higher than the market.
- 🌍 Marketplaces: Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market – there are often discounts, but check the seller (ranking above 4.8).
- 🇨🇳 Chinese sites: AliExpress, JD.com – cheaper by 20-30%, but the risk of counterfeiting and long delivery.
⚠️ Note: When buying Xiaomi Watch S3 on AliExpress, check that the model supports Russian in the firmware (the description should indicate Global Version or the model should be used in the application). EUR ROM). Chinese version (CN ROM) may not have localization.
If you are buying a contactless watch, check whether NFC is supported in your region. For example, the Xiaomi Watch S3 in Russia does not work with Mir Pay, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 supports Samsung Pay only with partner banks.