Xiaomi Watch S3 – Review

Xiaomi launched Xiaomi Watch S3 a trio of wearables aimed at offering health and fitness features at low prices and one of these is the Watch S3. It is a fully round smartwatch that enables you to remove the bezels and comes with features you usually do not expect in a watch at this price tag.

Design and Build

The Xiaomi Watch S3 appears to be a well-built watch, even if look does not have anything original. It comes in two color options that are silver and black. It comes with a standard flurorubber strap that you can wear comfortably. You can also go with a leather strap, especially if you like the intriguing bezels. An aluminum alloy has been used to make the case body with a stainless steel bezel that gives the watch a good weight.

The bezel can be twisted and removed, allowing you to swap additional bezels to change your watch’s look. This feature sets the S3 apart from its competitors. The removable bezel is quite plain, but you can replace it with eye-catching options. When you add a new bezel ring, it also suggests a watch face that can complement it.

Apart from the bezel, Xiaomi has opted to keep things simple. The Watch S3 comes with two physical buttons on the right side. The back has an optical sensor for charging.

Screen and Audio

The S3 is one of the few watches that offers a good quality color screen, despite the low price tag. The 1.43-inch AMOLED screen is not too big and has a 466 x 466 resolution. There is also an always-on display mode that can optimize battery performance. The vibrant and bright display is very appealing and Xiaomi has also added a speaker and microphone to help you take calls.

Software and Features

Xiaomi has opted to use its own HyperOS to run the Watch S3, the operating system that can also be found in its phones, smart home tech and TVs. It works with both Android and iOS devices and you will not have any pairing and connectivity issues. The watch delivers a gesture-based experience for the most part, as you can swipe right and left to see the widgets.

You will not experience any lags and the software delivers a smooth and nice performance. There is a hands-free mode that has been inspired by Apple, but is very basic. You can launch the app tray with the top physical button, while the bottom one lets you track workouts. Some core smartwatch features are also offered, including the on-board music player and Alexa support.

As far as fitness and tracking are concerned, the Xiaomi Watch S3 has the modes and sensors needed for doing everything from tracking your sleep, heart, runs and pool swims. It comes with typical optical and motion sensors. It also has an activity recognition mode for activities, such as walking, running and indoor rowing. In fact, a dedicated ski mode is also available.