Xiaomi smart watches have long ceased to be just an accessory for athletes — they have become full assistants in everyday life. From health care to smart home management, from stylish design to multi-day autonomy: the brand’s range offers solutions for every taste and budget. But how not to get lost among dozens of models Mi Band, Watch, Redmi Watch and other lines? This article will help you understand the key differences, highlight the criteria for choosing and avoid typical mistakes when buying.
We analyzed current models. 2023–2026 Over the years, we've looked at user reviews and specifications to come up with an honest guide, and there's no advertising, just facts, comparisons and practical tips, and you'll find out which watches are good for fitness, which are good for business users, and which are stylish additions to the image. We will pay special attention to compatibility with Android/iOS, Battery time and unique features that make Xiaomi stand out from the competition.
Let's warn you right away, there's no perfect watch, but there are models that are the best fit for your needs. S3 Watch 2 Pro supports independent work with the SIM-And this is critical for those who want to completely replace the smartphone on the wrist, but the Mi Band 8 at a price 3-4 times lower offers 90% of the functions of flagship models for health.
Xiaomi Smart Watch Lines: What’s the Difference?
Xiaomi brand produces smart watches under several brands, and this often misleads customers.
- 📱 Mi Band (Mi Smart Band) - fitness bracelets with minimalist design, ideal for sports, sleep and basic health monitoring. Price: 2000-5 000 ₽.
- ⌚ Xiaomi Watch – classic smart watch with round screen, advanced features (NFC, Calls, apps. Price: 8,000 to 20,000. ₽.
- 💰 Redmi Watch is a budget alternative to Xiaomi Watch with a focus on design and basic features.Price: 4,000-7000 ₽.
- 🏃 Xiaomi Smart Band Pro – a hybrid bracelet and watch with a large display, but without a full OS. Price: 5000-8000 ₽.
The main difference is the operating system: Mi Band bracelets run on proprietary firmware with limited capabilities, and Xiaomi Watch (starting with the Watch S1) uses Wear OS (for the Watch 2 Pro) or MIUI Watch (for most models), which affects the installation of third-party applications, integration with services and speed.
⚠️ Note: Redmi Watch models 3 Active and Mi Band 7/8 They are similar in appearance, but the former do not support the measurement of blood oxygen levels (SpO₂) They have a less accurate heart rate sensor, and if you're healthier, you can choose the Mi Band.
2. Key selection parameters: what to look at first
When buying a smartwatch, it’s easy to drown in specs, and we’ve identified 5 criteria that are really important:
- Autonomy: 5 days (Watch 2 Pro) to 16 days (Mi Band 8) The simpler the device, the longer it lasts.
- Screen: AMOLED (bright, saturated) vs TFT (budget, dim).Resolution is important for a comfortable reading of notifications.
- Health sensors: pulse, SpO₂, Stress, sleep, flagship models (Watch) S3) ECG and blood pressure are added (but in Russia these functions are often disabled programmatically).
- Compatibility: All Xiaomi watches work with Android 6.0+ and iOS 10+, but on iPhone some features may be limited (for example, quick responses to messages).
- Protection: Minimum standard is 5ATM (Dust and Water Jet Protection) and IP68 or 10ATM is required for swimming.
It is worth mentioning separately. GPS. Built-in module is only in models Xiaomi Watch and Smart Band Pro. Mi Band bracelets for tracking routes use GPS Smartphone, which is less accurate and increases the battery consumption of the phone.
| Parameter | Mi Band 8 | Redmi Watch 3 | Xiaomi Watch S3 | Watch 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomy | 16 days | 12 days | 10 days. | 5 days |
| Screen. | AMOLED, 1.62" | AMOLED, 1.75" | AMOLED, 1.43" | AMOLED, 1.43" |
| GPS | No (only via phone) | There is. | There is. | There (bi-band) |
| NFC | No. | No. | Got it (Mi Pay) | Got it (Google Pay) |
| Price (2026) | ~4 500 ₽ | ~6 000 ₽ | ~18 000 ₽ | ~22 000 ₽ |
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If you want the maximum set of functions (calls, NFC, GPS) – choose among the Xiaomi Watch. for fitness and long-term autonomy, the Mi Band 8 is enough.
3.Comparison of top models of 2026: which is better to buy?
We have selected 4 current models that cover all price segments and use cases, and compare them by key parameters:
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is the best budget fitness tracker
Perfect for those who want to monitor their health without overpaying, the new version has a large screen with support for Always-On, 150+ training modes and an improved heart rate sensor, the main disadvantage is the lack of GPS and NFC.
Suitable: athletes, those who monitor sleep and stress, users with a small budget.
Redmi Watch 3 Active – stylish design for a minimum price
It is distinguished by a thin body (9.9 mm) and 200+ There's a dial. GPS, but no sensor. SpO₂. Autonomy - up to 12 days, the best choice for those who want a "watch like a clock" without bells and whistles.
Suitable: office workers, those who appreciate the appearance and basic functionality.
Xiaomi Watch S3 – flagship with a premium design
The top model with sapphire glass, a rotating crown and support for eSIM (calls without a phone). There is an ECG (does not work in all regions) and a blood pressure sensor. Minus is high price and autonomy for only 10 days.
Business users, those who are willing to pay for premium materials and maximum functionality.
Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – the best balance of price and features
Xiaomi's first Wear OS watch with Google Play support, which means access to thousands of apps (Spotify, Google Maps, etc.) and dual-band GPS for accurate tracking, with a small battery (420 mAh) as the main drawback.
It is suitable for techno-enthusiasts, those who want extensibility through third-party applications.
What Xiaomi models support eSIM in Russia?
4. Phone Compatibility: Android vs iOS
All Xiaomi smart watches work with both Android and iOS, but there are nuances:
- 📱 Android has all the features: notifications, quick answers, app installation (for Wear) OS), synchronization with Mi Fitness.
- 🍎 On iPhone limitations: Can't respond to messages with voice or templates. No sync with Apple Health (you have to use Mi Fitness.
For iPhone owners, we recommend considering Mi Band 8 or Redmi Watch 3 – they lose fewer functions when connecting to iOS than the Wear OS watch. But the Watch 2 Pro on the iPhone will work as a “stripped” fitness tracker without the ability to install apps from Google Play.
⚠️ Note: When connected to an iPhone, Xiaomi watches can discharge faster by 15-20% due to the peculiarities of Bluetooth in the background.
5. Battery and autonomy: How much does Xiaomi watch hold?
Autonomy is a key parameter that is often frustrating, with the manufacturer specifying maximum operating time under "perfect conditions" (minimum brightness, sensors switched off), but the actual numbers are modest.
| Model | Declared autonomy | Real (with active use) | Charging time. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 8 | 16 days | 10-12 days | 1 hour |
| Redmi Watch 3 | 12 days | 7-9 days | 1.5 hours |
| Xiaomi Watch S3 | 10 days. | 4-5 days | 2 hours |
| Watch 2 Pro | 5 days | 2-3 days | 1.5 hours |
Autonomy is affected by:
- 🔋 Always-On Display: Reduces battery life by 30-40.
- 📡 Continuous Bluetooth Connection: If the watch often loses touch with the phone, it wastes energy on searching.
- 🏃 Continuous heart rate monitoring: on by default. Set the measurement interval of 5-10 minutes to save money.
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To extend the autonomy of the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, disable background data synchronization in the Wear OS settings. This will add 1-2 days of work.
6 Where to buy and how not to run into a fake
Xiaomi smart watches are a popular item for counterfeits, especially the Mi Band.
Package with hologram and barcode |Serial number on the case coincides with the number on the box |Firm store or official dealer (list on the Xiaomi website) |Price not lower than the average market (too cheap offer - a reason to be wary)
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Official dealers in Russia:
- 🛒 Mi Store (branded Xiaomi stores)
- 🛒 Svyaznoy, M. Video, Eldorado (check the availability of the certificate)
- 🌍 Official website mi.com/ru (delivery 3–7 days)
Avoid shopping on marketplaces (AliExpress, Wildberries, Ozon) from sellers with a rating below 4.8. Often under the guise of new ones sell refurbished devices or Chinese versions without Russian.
- 📦 Inscriptions on the box: the original has Russian markings.
- 🔄 Refund option: official sellers have 14 days, marketplaces depend on the seller.
- 💳 Warranty: minimum period of 12 months (for counterfeits, often 3-6 months).
⚠️ Note: CN-version models may not support Russian in firmware and have feature limitations (e.g., no Google Play in the Watch 2 Pro!
7 Frequent mistakes in selection and how to avoid them
Even experienced customers sometimes make mistakes. TOP-5 Misconceptions that lead to disappointment:
- "All Xiaomi watches are waterproof" - No! Only models labeled 5ATM or IP68 can withstand swimming. Mi Band 8 has 5ATM protection, and Redmi Watch 3 Active only IP68 (you can wash your hands, but do not dive).
- “NFC works with any bank card” – In Russia, Mi Pay supports only Mir cards and some banks (Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank). Watch 2 Pro with Wear OS works with Google Pay, but requires a tether to the phone.
- "Always-On screen doesn't affect battery" - Always on reduces battery life by 30-50%. If you care about running time, use "Raise your wrist" mode.
- "All health functions work in Russia" - ECG and pressure measurement in the Watch S3 are often disabled software for our region.
- "Wear OS watches are better than MIUI Watch" - Not always. Wear OS gives you access to apps, but eats up the battery and runs slower on weak hardware (like in the Watch 2 Pro).
Before buying, ask yourself 3 questions:
- Do I need phone calls? If so, only the Watch S3 or the Watch 2 Pro.
- Do I care about design? Then look at the Redmi Watch 3 or the Watch S3 with a metal body.
- Am I ready to charge every 2-3 days? If not, choose between the Mi Band or Redmi Watch.