Xiaomi smart watches have long ceased to be just an accessory for athletes or geeks — today they are full-fledged gadgets that replace fitness bracelets, pulse monitors and even smartphones in some scenarios. If you first hear about them or doubt whether you need them, this article will help you understand all the nuances. We will not convince you of the need to buy, but honestly tell you what Xiaomi smart watches can do, how they differ from competitors and what parameters to pay attention to when choosing.
Xiaomi has launched a smartwatch under several brands: its own Mi Watch line, premium Xiaomi Watch and budget Redmi Watch. Each series has its own features, but they all work on the basis of proprietary firmware MIUI for Watch, integrate with the Mi Home ecosystem and support basic health tracking functions. In this article, we will understand how these devices are built, what tasks they solve and how to make sure you choose a model.
How are Xiaomi smart watches different from fitness bracelets?
Many people confuse smart watches and fitness bracelets, although they are fundamentally different devices, the main difference is functionality and form factor. Bracelets (for example, the Mi Band) are smaller, cheaper and focused on basic activity tracking: steps, sleep, heart rate.
- 📱 Autonomous work with applications (messengers, music, weather) without being tied to a smartphone.
- 🏃 Advanced sports modes with analytics (e.g, VO₂ max, recovery after training).
- 🎨 Customization of dials and interface (in bracelets, the choice is limited).
- 📞 Call and voice assistant support (some models have a speaker and microphone).
However, there are downsides to the watch: it is more expensive, requires more frequent charging and is often larger, which can be uncomfortable for fragile wrists.The Xiaomi Watch S3 series and newer smartwatches support the installation of third-party apps through the Mi Watch App Store, something that no fitness bracelet of the brand does.
⚠️ Warning: If you only need a pedometer and notifications, a fitness bracelet will be more practical.Smart watches are warranted if you plan to use them as a replacement for a smartphone for calls, music or detailed health monitoring.
The main functions of Xiaomi smart watches: what do they know?
The functionality depends on the model, but most Xiaomi smartwatches support the following basic set:
| Category | Functions | Examples of models |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Pulse, SpO₂ (oxygen saturation, stress, sleep, female cycle, ECG (in premium models) | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Mi Watch S3 |
| Sport | 100+ modes (running, swimming, cycling), GPS, training analytics | Redmi Watch 4, Xiaomi Watch S1 Active |
| Smart functions | Notifications, Calls, NFC (payment), Voice Assistant, Music | Xiaomi Watch S3, Mi Watch Lite |
| Design | Replacement straps, AMOLED-screen, water protection (5) ATM) | All models of the Watch and Redmi Watch series |
The premium models like Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro stand out – they are equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ processor, which allows you to install applications from Google Play (starting with the MIUI Watch 3.0 firmware), which makes them closer to the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, but at a price of 2-3 times lower.
It is important to understand that not all functions are available out of the box, for example, blood pressure measurement in most models requires manual calibration by blood pressure meter, and the ECG works only in some countries (in Russia it can be blocked software).
What functions may be restricted in Russia?
Popular models of Xiaomi smart watches in 2026
Xiaomi’s range is extensive, but we’ll highlight the most relevant models for early 2026, breaking them down into categories:
- 💰 Budget (up to 5,000) ₽): Redmi Watch 4 (AMOLED, 100+ Sports regimes, 10 days of autonomy).
- 📊 Mid-size segment (5000–10000) ₽): Xiaomi Watch S1 Active (GPS, NFC, metal-frame).
- 🏆 Premium (10,000)+ ₽): Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (Wear OS, Google Play, Sapphire Glass).
- 👶 For children: Xiaomi Mi Bunny Watch (GPS-tracker, SOS-button, limiting contacts).
If you want a watch with maximum autonomy, look for the Redmi Watch 4, which keeps up to 20 days in energy saving mode. For those who like premium design, the Xiaomi Watch S3 with a ceramic body and fluoro-resurface strap will suit. And for those who want a full replacement smartphone, consider the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro on Wear OS.
⚠️ Attention: Models with Wear OS (Watch 2 Pro requires a binding link to a Google account, while the watch is not MIUI For Watch works with Mi Account. This is important if you already have the Xiaomi ecosystem (smart home, speakers, etc.).
Compatible with your smartphone (Android/iOS)
Availability of the necessary functions (NFC, GPS, ECG)
The size of the body (is it suitable for your wrist)
Autonomy (is enough for your rhythm of use)
Support for interchangeable straps (standard) 20/22 mm)-->
How to connect and configure Xiaomi smart watches?
The setup process is the same for most models.
- Download the Xiaomi Wear app (for Android) or Mi Fitness (for iOS).
- Register a Xiaomi account (or log in to an existing one).
- Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your smartphone.
- Follow the instructions in the appendix for pairing the clock.
After the connection, we recommend:
- 🔄 Update the firmware of the watch to the latest version (path: Settings) → About the clock → Update of the PO).
- 🎨 Install a dial from the catalog (the Xiaomi Wear app has hundreds of free options).
- ⚙️ Set up notifications (select which apps to show alerts from).
If the clock is not connected, check:
- Permissions for the Xiaomi Wear application (access to contacts, notifications, geodata).
- Compatibility of Android/iOS version (minimum requirements are listed on the Xiaomi website).
- No conflicts with other gadgets (for example, if you already have a fitness bracelet Mi Band).
💡
If the watch starts to run out quickly after the firmware update, reset it to the factory settings (Settings → System → Reset) and reset it. This helps 80% of the time.
Comparison of Xiaomi smart watches and competitors
To understand whether to overpay for the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, compare the key parameters:
| Parameter | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | Apple Watch SE (2023) | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Wear OS 3.5 | watchOS 10 | Wear OS 4 (One UI Watch) |
| Autonomy | 7 days | 18 hours | 2 days |
| Price (2026) | ~12 000 ₽ | ~25 000 ₽ | ~22 000 ₽ |
| Ecosystem | Xiaomi, Google | Apple (iPhone only) | Samsung (better with Galaxy) |
Benefits of Xiaomi:
- ⏱️ Longer charge (3-5 times longer than the Apple Watch).
- 💰 Lower price with comparable functionality.
- 🌍 Works with Android and iOS (unlike the Galaxy Watch, which is limited to iPhone).
Disadvantages:
- 🛠️ Fewer third-party apps (even in Wear) OS The choice is limited compared to Apple).
- 📱 Some functions (e.g. ECG) may be blocked in Russia.
💡
Xiaomi smartwatches are the best choice if you want a balance of price, autonomy and features. They are inferior to Apple/Samsung in the ecosystem, but gain in practicality for everyday use.
Frequent Problems and How to Solve Them
Even the most reliable gadgets sometimes get bugged, and here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:
- 🔋 Fast Discharge: Turn off the screen always on (Settings) → Display. → Reduce your pulse rate (optimally every 10 minutes) Update your firmware (bugs often eat up charge).
- 📶 It's not working. GPS: Check if it's on. GPS in the settings of the clock (Settings) → Connections → GPS). Go outside, the signal is weak in the room. GPS (Settings → System system → Reset → Reset GPS).
- 🚫 No notifications: Check the permissions for the Xiaomi Wear app on your smartphone. reconnect the clock (Settings) → Bluetooth → Forget the device. Update the Xiaomi Wear app in the store.
If the watch doesn't turn on after it's discharged, hold it on for 10-15 minutes - sometimes it takes time for the battery to "wake up." If that doesn't work, try to reset it through the physical button (press it for 10-15 seconds).
⚠️ Note: Do not use higher power adapters to charge 5W (It can damage the battery of the watch, the original cable and adapter. 5V/1A.