There’s a new entrant onto the smartwatch market – the Xiaomi Mi watch! Here’s what we’ve discovered so far about this Chinese newcomer.
What Do We Know About The Xiaomi Mi Watch?
The device was released on November 11th in China. As yet, no information has been released about when it will hit the markets in Europe or the USA. However the price looks very appealing at around ¥1,299– roughly $186 or £144 – which makes it significantly cheaper than many other smartwatches currently on the market.
What Features Will The Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch Offer?
The Mi runs the Google Wear OS, allowing access to all of the apps that are wearable compatible on the Google Play Store. On top of this, Xiaomi’s own custom MIUI software augments its capabilities, adding more than 40 pre-installed applications.
This device has a long-life battery, probably the biggest ever used in a wearable at 570 mAh. This makes it capable of offering up to 36 hours of continual usage even with the always-on display.
Its Snapdragon 3100 4G chipset is powerful and teamed with 8GB of onboard storage, 1GB of RAM, integrated NFC, eSIM options and Bluetooth. This device is also capable of video playback, though the screen is rather small for serious viewing.
What’s The Xiaomi Mi Design Like?
The Xiaomi Mi looks surprisingly similar to the Apple Watch Series 5. In comparison, it has the same square shape, rounded corners and control crown. The case is made from ceramic rather than Apple’s brushed aluminium, and it has a 1.78” AMOLED screen which is always-on. There are two versions available – black or white – and each with its own matching strap. There is also a Premium Edition available with a sapphire crystal screen and stainless-steel frame.
What Are The Xiaomi Mi’s Fitness Tracking Capabilities?
Xiaomi says the Mi is capable of detecting up to 10 different types of physical activity. These include running, walking, treadmill, swimming and weight workouts. It continuously measures your heartrate and can display VO2 levels. This watch is rumoured to support FIRSTBEAT, which is an algorithm which offers in-depth and accurate health data. Not only will this watch measure fitness related statistics, it also detects elevated heartrates and stress.
What Are The Main Advantages of The Xiaomi Mi?
- A low price tag
- Integrated Bluetooth and NFC
- Stylish design
- Comes with plenty of inbuilt apps and apps from the Google Play store
- Accurate fitness tracking data
- Always-on display
- Allows video playback
What Are The Main Disadvantages?
- No sleep tracker
Are There Any Rivals To The Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch?
As mentioned above, the Mi’s most obvious rival in terms of appearance is the Apple Watch Series 5. However, the big difference there comes in the price tag, with the Apple Watch retailing at almost five times the price of the Xiaomi Mi. Also, the Apple Watch is really only suitable for Apple iPhone users – if you’re an Android user Xiaomi Mi’s Wear OS will be more compatible with your device.
When it comes to comparably priced smartwatch devices, you may be happy to settle for the Fitbit Versa Lite, which has a low price tag but still offers plenty of fitness tracking functionality. It can’t offer a fully comprehensive smartwatch experience as it has limited notifications, and there isn’t any tech to allow for contactless payment or listening to music, but if you’re keen to have a basic smartwatch that allows you to do more on the go, this device won’t break the bank.
Should I Buy The Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch?
Although the details about this device are relatively limited, the initial reviews look good. Perhaps the most attractive features of this Chinese-made device appears to be its incredibly low price tag, wealth of fitness tracking features and enough smartwatch functionality to please anyone. This device allows notifications to be received and responded to on the go, allows payments to be made via NFC, has Bluetooth connectivity for playing music, and can even be used for watching video streaming. That’s pretty impressive for such a low-priced device!
If you’re looking for a fully functioning smartwatch that won’t break the bank and you aren’t afraid to look beyond the traditional Samsung or Apple Watch options, the Xiaomi Mi could be the ideal choice for you. With its stylish good looks and Apple Watch inspired design, it could even pass for a more expensive rival at first glance, and could offer you excellent value for money. The only downside is having to wait until it’s launched outside of China.
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