The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is a nice looking smartwatch that packs a lot of features.
At first glance, it’s hard not to appreciate how far Android smartwatches have come with the S1 Pro.
Table of Contents
Design
A circular design with a case made out of stainless steel, a strong ceramic base to keep things lightweight but still durable, a sapphire glass coated to detract fingerprints that at the same time, shields the beautiful 1.47-inch AMOLED display that features a maximum brightness of 600 nits, making it easy to read even in direct sunlight.
The touch response is smooth and snappy; And overall the performance is fast and fluid, with no noticeable lag or stutter. (Definitely a good sign for UI optimization)
The vibration feedback from receiving notifications and using the watch’s interface is pleasantly noticeable and not too overwhelming on the wrist. When the knurled rotatable crown is in use, we also get a nice haptic feedback from the motor as well.
The watch also has a 5ATM waterproof rating and for color options, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro comes in black like we have here, which comes in this black fluor rubber material marketed for more sporty and gritty smartwatch users. It’s worth mentioning that the silver option comes in a comfortable hand-polished, brown leather strap according to the product page.
Either way if you’re thinking of picking one up, and neither strap is to your liking, users can always change their straps if they wanted.
Connectivity
Connectivity-wise, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.2 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as well as Wi-Fi, which is more than enough for most users. The watch can receive notifications instantly, make and receive calls with its microphone and speaker, and even control your media playback and smart home devices directly from your wrist.
Pairing was also a non-issue, we tested the watch across a couple Android devices, as well as iOS; The experience was the same.
Answering phone calls through the watch were both a convenience and a hassle; It was convenient to answer calls without dishing my phone out of my pocket, talking to my wrist never failed to make me feel like a secret agent. The hassle was sometimes when driving, while my phone was connected to both the smartwatch and my car’s infotainment unit, I’d receive a call and answer it through the car; And every now and then the call would connect through my watch, which wasn’t my intention.
It wasn’t the biggest deal since all I needed to do was switch back through my phone, but this definitely happened a handful of times.
Software
The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro runs on the latest MiUI Watch OS, and it’s pretty slick. You get a bunch of watch faces to select and download. Swiping left gives you quick access to Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, to the right you pages for your widgets (which are customizable). Swiping up gives you your quick access shortcuts, while swiping down reveals your notifications.
Health and Fitness
Fitness tracking is one of the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro’s strong points, with its array of features that include GPS, heart rate monitoring with blood oxygen level, and sleep tracking to name a few. The watch can also track all kinds of workout modes such as running, walking, cycling, hiking, swimming, and more. The data collected is presented in an easy-to-read format within the Mi Fitness app, which syncs seamlessly with the watch and all your other Mi Fitness devices.
For the Mi Fitness app, the experience was very straightforward. If you aren’t already an account holder, you set it up once you need to pair your watch to your device. You get a more detailed view of everything you can do from the watch, like a map for tracking your outdoor runs, a more detailed view of your health metrics, and an easier way to view multiple watch faces.
Battery
Battery life is another area where the Xiaomi Watch shines, with a 500mAh battery that can last up to 14 days of typical use on a single charge. The watch also supports quick charging, which can give you a two day’s worth of battery life in just 15 minutes of charging time.
Overall battery life really was a non-issue for someone like me.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Xiaomi Watch is an excellent smartwatch in 2023 that offers a lot of value for its price. It’s a good option for those looking to upgrade from a fitness band, or any veteran smartwatch user from 2019 and older looking for an upgrade. It’s perfect for health-nuts who want to keep track of their steps and calories when cutting but also want something more dressy than a band-style fitness tracker.
For those interested in getting into smartwatches, the competitively priced Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro should definitely be part of your consideration.
The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is officially priced at PHP 16,999.00 in our local shores. Those who purchase the device will get a FREE pair of Xiaomi Buds 3 worth PHP 4,999.
Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro specs:
1.47-inch AMOLED (480×480, 462ppi)
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 5.2
GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
5ATM waterproof
500mAh Li-Ion battery
MiUI Watch OS