The Xiaomi Watch S3 smartwatch is the latest addition to the Watch S family. With its understated elegance and dependable features, it is equally at home in the office, at the gym or out on a walk. But what if you are not a fitness fanatic? Is it still a good watch to use? With so many different options on the market, we take a closer look at the Xiaomi Watch S3.
Design and Display
The Xiaomi Watch S3 has a bright 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466×466 pixels and a maximum brightness of 600 nits. This ensures that watch faces, which you can customize through the Mi Fitness app, always look sharp and vibrant. You can also change the look of your watch with interchangeable bezels and straps in various colors and materials.
Operating System and Features
Xiaomi's new HyperOS replaces the old MIUI and Google Wear OS and introduces convenient gesture controls. These let you reject calls or check the weather with a simple flick of your wrist, for example. The Xiaomi Watch S3 also supports NFC for tasks such as making payments, as well as hands-free calling. However, it does not allow you to install third-party apps, which we consider a shortcoming in 2024. Downloading the Mi Fitness app is also mandatory. You can then pair it with the S3; without the app, the watch cannot be used. The Mi Fitness app was clearly not designed with Dutch users in mind, either, as we occasionally encountered translation and layout issues during use. A missed opportunity, Xiaomi.
Xiaomi s3 smartwatch
Fitness and Health Features
The Xiaomi Watch S3 excels at fitness and health tracking. The watch features a heart rate sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a barometer and a dual-band GNSS system for accurate positioning. With more than 150 sports modes and ten built-in running courses, it offers plenty of options for fitness enthusiasts. The Xiaomi Watch S3 automatically detects when you start exercising and records your activity. It can also assess your progress with a vitality score.
Sleep tracking is also included, with the watch analyzing your sleep stages and providing a sleep score to assess the quality of your rest. Although sleep data can vary between devices, it offers valuable insights into your sleeping habits.
Battery Life
One of the Xiaomi Watch S3's standout features is its impressive battery life. With a capacity of 486 mAh, the watch can last up to 14 days on a single charge with normal use. Even with the always-on display enabled, it can last around five days. This makes it one of the longest-lasting smartwatches on the market. Our own testing confirmed this, and another plus is its relatively quick charging, which gets you going again in no time.
Xiaomi S3 on the wrist
Price and Availability
The Xiaomi Watch S3 is available for around €130, offering great value for money given its wide range of features and long battery life. The watch comes in various colors and styles, so there should be an option to suit everyone.
The Xiaomi Watch S3 is durable, stylish and stands out in every respect. Its circular bezel can be removed and replaced with another, allowing you to customize it to your taste. The watch's stainless steel body is paired with a silicone strap for what Xiaomi calls “an active lifestyle.” We found the silicone strap irritating at times. When you tighten it, the remaining length has to be tucked underneath the main strap. Because of the silicone material, this can sometimes tug at your skin or hair. However, you can buy leather or fabric straps to better tailor the watch to your preferences, and we would recommend doing so. Its high IP68 rating and 5ATM water resistance ensure that the watch remains protected even under demanding conditions.
