Xiaomi smart watches: why they are needed and how to squeeze the maximum benefit in 2026

Xiaomi smartwatches have long ceased to be just a fashionable gadget — today it is a full-fledged assistant for health, sports and everyday tasks. But is they necessary? If you are still wondering whether to spend money on a fitness tracker with a screen, this article will help to put everything on the shelves. We will not convince you of the obligation to purchase, but honestly analyze what specific tasks Xiaomi smart watches solve in 2026 — from heart rate control to control of a smart home through the Mi Home.

Skeptics often say, "Why pay for what a smartphone can do?" The answer is simple: you take out your smartphone 80 times a day on average, and your watch is always on your hand, save time on trifles (checking notifications, paying for purchases, starting a workout) and give data that your phone can't collect, such as phase-by-phase sleep analysis or blood oxygen levels in dynamics, while Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch are much cheaper than competitors for comparable functionality.

In this article, we:

• 🔍 Here are 10 real reasons to buy a Xiaomi smartwatch (with examples from life)
• 📊 Compare models by price and capabilities (table with current data 2026)
• ⚠️ We will tell you about the hidden restrictions, which are silent sellers
• 💡 We will give a checklist on how to choose a watch for your tasks (sport, health, style)

1 Health monitoring: what Xiaomi watches do better than a smartphone

The main advantage of a smartwatch in front of a phone is the continuous collection of biometric data. The smartphone lies in your pocket or on the table, and the watch contacts the skin 24/7. For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro measures every 10 minutes:

• 🩺 Heart rate (HR) with accuracy ±2 beats/min (according to GSMArena test data)
• 🩸 Level. SpO₂ (oxygenation of the blood - critical for sleep apnea and pilots
• 💤 Sleep phases (deep, light, REM) improvement-program
• 📈 Stress level by heart rate variability (HRV)

But here's the caveat: accuracy depends on the right fit, if the strap is hanging, the sensors will malfunction. ₽, Mi Band 8 with the same features – about 3 000 ₽.

⚠️ Attention: Data from smart watches does not replace the diagnosis of a doctor. For example, in arrhythmia, Xiaomi watches will show an unstable pulse, but will not determine the type of violation (filter, extrasystole, etc.

Useful: Mi Fitness can set up critical alerts, such as if your heart rate is above 120 beats at rest or if you have a heart rate higher than 120 beats. SpO₂ Below 90% – The clock vibrates and displays a warning.

2.Sports and fitness: how Xiaomi watches replace personal trainer

For athletes, a smartwatch is a cheap alternative to a fitness bracelet with GPS and a pulse monitor. Even the budget Mi Band 7 can:

• 🏃‍♂️ Track 120.+ Activities (from running to yoga and rowing)
• 📍 Record the route with GPS (In models with a module, for example, Xiaomi Watch S3)
• 🔥 Calorie counting and VO₂ max (endurance indicator)
• 💪 Analyze the load on the muscles after training

The main difference from a smartphone is automatic activity recognition, for example, the watch will detect that you have started running, and start counting the time, distance and pulse zones, and on the phone you need to manually open the application (which is not always convenient).

For runners and cyclists, the built-in GPS is critical, allowing them to record their route without a phone. For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro uses dual GPS (connects to two satellite systems simultaneously), which reduces the error to 1-3 meters, which is important for accurately measuring distance in a forest or a city with tall houses.

💡

Before a marathon or a long workout, turn off notifications on the clock - this will save up to 20% of the charge. Enable the "Battery Saving" mode in the settings Profile → Power modes

3. Notifications and Quick Access: Why It's More Convenient Than Phone

One of the biggest benefits of a smartwatch is filtering notifications, and instead of pulling out the phone at every signal, you see on the watch screen:

• 📞 Incoming calls (can be reset or taken if there is a speaker)
• 💬 Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)
• 📧 Letters from the mail (with the opportunity to read the first lines)
• 🔔 Calendar Reminders or Google Keep

You can also set up a blacklist of apps that don't have to be duplicated on the clock, like turning off alerts from games or social media. → Notifications → Application management.

Another feature is quick answers: On models with a microphone (for example, Xiaomi Watch S3), you can dictate a voice response to a message or even call through the clock if they are connected to a phone over Bluetooth.

⚠️ Note: On the Mi Band (without display), notifications are shown as vibrations and icons. To read the text, you need to raise your hand - this is not always convenient in transport or in a meeting.

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone|Synchronize the watch with Mi Fitness|Select annexes for duplication in Notices → Management|Disable unnecessary alerts in the blacklist|Check the vibration in the clock settings-->

Payment and transportation: how watches replace wallet and travel

With Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Xiaomi Watch S3 You can pay for purchases up to 1,000 ₽ without a phone, you just need to link a Mir or Mastercard card to the Mi Pay service:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app on your phone.
2. Go to Profile. → Mi Pay.
3. Add the card and confirm via SMS from the bank.
4. The payment option will appear on the watch (hold your hand at the terminal for 2-3 seconds).

Also, the watch supports transport cards (for example, Troika in Moscow or Strizh in St. Petersburg).

On the clock: Settings → Transport → Add a map → Scan QR- code from the My Travel Application

This is convenient when you exercise and you don't want to bring your phone or wallet, for example, after a run, you can immediately pay for water in the store or take the subway.

5. Smart Home Management: How the Watch Works with the Mi Home

If you have Xiaomi smart home devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaner), the watch can become a remote control. For example, with the Xiaomi Watch S3 you can:

• 💡 Turn on/off the lights (Yeelight)
• 🔌 Manage the sockets (Mi Smart Plug)
• 🤖 Start cleaning the robot vacuum cleaner (Mi Robot Vacuum)
• 🌡️ View data from temperature and humidity sensors

To set up:

1. Install the Mi Home app on your phone.
2. Add all devices to one network.
3. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Smart Home → Connect devices.
4. Choose the gadgets you want to control from the clock.

This is convenient when you go to bed and don’t want to get up to turn off the lights, or when your hands are busy (e.g. cooking and needing to turn on the hood).

💡

Xiaomi watches only manage devices connected to the Mi Home. To work with Google Home or Apple HomeKit, you will need a phone.

6 Design and autonomy: how to choose a model for your needs

Xiaomi smart watches are divided into three types:

1. The Mi Band is lightweight, cheap, minimalist, suitable for sports and health monitoring.
2. The Xiaomi Watch S is a classic design with a round dial but with smart features.
3. Smart watch (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) - a full replacement phone with applications and GPS.

Key selection criteria:

For office use, the Xiaomi Watch S3 is suitable — it looks like a classic watch, but it can show notifications and monitor health. For sports, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (because of GPS and water protection), and for savings, the Mi Band 8.

⚠️ Attention: Autonomy in advertising is always indicated for minimum load (no GPS, In reality, when you use the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, it discharges in 3-4 days, and the Mi Band 8 - in 7-10 days.

7 Hidden restrictions: what the sellers are silent about

Not everything is so rosy – Xiaomi smartwatches have several critical drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying:

• 🔄 No official iPhone support: Watches work but lose some features (e.g., no answering calls).
• 🌍 Limited geolocation. GPS Budget models often "glut" in cities with tall houses.
• 🔋 Rapid battery degradation: after 1.5-2 years, the battery capacity drops by 20-30%.
• 📱 Without a phone, the watch loses most of its functions (except time and pedometer).

Also, not all functions work in Russia, for example, voice assistant Xiao AI understands only Chinese and English, and Mi Pay service supports not all banks.

Another thing is build quality: the Mi Band often has a strap that falls off after a year of use, and the Xiaomi Watch can have a yellow screen effect. AMOLED-matrix.

8. Xiaomi Alternatives: When Standing for Other Brands

If you don’t like Xiaomi’s limitations, consider the alternatives:

• 🍎 Apple Watch is the best ecosystem for iPhone owners (but expensive and weak autonomy).
• ⚙️ Samsung Galaxy Watch – top-end functionality and design, but works only with Android.
• 🏃 Garmin is ideal for professional sports (exact) GPS, training-analysis).
• 💰 Amazfit is cheaper than Xiaomi with similar functionality (but worse than software).

However, Xiaomi has two key advantages over its competitors:

1. Price. For the same money, you get more features.
2. Integration with the ecosystem: If you already have Xiaomi devices (lamps, vacuum cleaner, speaker), the watch will become the control center.

💡

If you want a watch exclusively for sports, it’s better to go towards Garmin or Polar. If the ecosystem and price are important, Xiaomi is out of competition.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi smartwatches