Xiaomi Watch 5: A New Contender in the Wear OS Smartwatch Market

Xiaomi has launched the global version of the Watch 5, marking a significant shift with the integration of Wear OS 6. This move positions the Watch 5 as a direct competitor to established Wear OS smartwatches like the Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch series. The device boasts a 1.54-inch AMOLED display protected by sapphire glass, a large 930mAh battery promising up to six days of battery life and a focus on health and fitness tracking.

Design and Display

The Xiaomi Watch 5 features a classic design with fluid lines and a stainless steel case crafted using monolithic forging and CNC machining. It’s available in Juniper Green and Black. The watch incorporates a 1.54-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 480×480 and a 60Hz refresh rate, protected by dual-sided sapphire crystal glass for enhanced durability. Xiaomi highlights the display’s high screen-to-body ratio for an immersive viewing experience.

Performance and Battery Life

Powering the Watch 5 is a dual-chip architecture combining the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset and a BES2800BP co-processor. This combination aims to deliver both high performance and efficient power management. The watch is equipped with a 930mAh battery, utilizing silicon-carbon technology, offering up to 6 days of battery life in smart mode, 4 days in AOD Smart Mode, and 18 days in power-saving mode. Android Central notes the battery life as a key advantage, particularly for travelers.

Software and Features

The most significant change in the global release is the transition from Xiaomi’s HyperOS to Wear OS 6. This integration provides access to Google services, a wider range of third-party apps, and seamless system-level integrations within the Android ecosystem. The software interface is described as fluid and intuitive, comparable to the Google Pixel Watch 4. Reddit users have likewise noted the arrival of the Wear OS based version.

Health and Fitness Tracking

The Xiaomi Watch 5 offers standard health tracking features, including continuous heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, and sleep analysis. It also includes a one-tap health check feature that provides a 60-second snapshot of key health metrics. Movement tracking is handled through motion sensors, supporting step tracking, sleep stages, and automatic activity detection. Dual-band GNSS is included for accurate outdoor workout tracking.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi Watch 5 is priced at 299 euros globally. Early orders in some markets may include bundled extras like earbuds or smart home devices, though these offers are region and time-dependent. Notebookcheck reported on the imminent global launch on February 28th.

Key Takeaways

• The Xiaomi Watch 5 now runs Wear OS 6, offering a more integrated Android smartwatch experience.
• It features a large 930mAh battery promising up to 6 days of battery life.
• The watch boasts a 1.54-inch AMOLED display protected by sapphire glass.
• It offers comprehensive health and fitness tracking features.
• The global price is set at 299 euros.