Syed Imran Haider 
If you are looking for an affordable smartwatch, Xiaomi offers a lot of options to choose from. Its Xiaomi Watch 2 comes with a lower price tag as compared to the Watch 2 Pro and makes some compromises to make this happen.
Design and Build
The design of the Watch 2 is undoubtedly a winner. It does come off as plain and the only splash of personality comes from the small clock indicators that you will find on the bezel surrounding the screen. Nonetheless, this minimalist look makes it suitable for every occasion and you can add some color with the straps. The box comes with a flexible TPU strap and you can swap it out if you want.
The build quality is obviously not the same as the Watch 2 Pro, as Xiaomi has replaced the stainless steel with an aluminum frame. But, it still manages to feel and look premium and weighs considerably less at just 36.8g. The dimensions are 47.6 x 45.9 x 11.8mm, which are the same as the Watch 2 Pro, which means it is still a chunky device. You cannot forget that you are wearing a smartwatch and it does get a bit uncomfortable during sleep.
The 1.43-inch screen has a bezel that looks good, but it does not rotate, unlike some smartwatches. There are two physical buttons on the right, which are easy to use and can also be customized. Even though the Watch 2 has an aluminum build, it remains very durable.
Screen and Audio
The display of the Watch 2 is the same as the Watch 2 Pro, which means you get one of the finest screens currently available on any smartwatch. But, this is certainly not a compact display at 1.43-inch. But, it does have a high resolution of 466 x 466 and since it is an OLED panel, you can enjoy lots of brightness and vivid colors.
The built-in speaker may not offer any bass, but it is not lacking in clarity, which is what you want on such a small device. The built-in microphone works with Google Assistant and it has excellent accuracy.
Specs and Performance
The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 powers the Xiaomi Watch 2, which is the latest and greatest processor from Qualcomm for smartwatches. It delivers an excellent performance and has 2GB of RAM, which does get a bit slow at times. But, the Watch 2 is quite powerful for everyday use. However, unlike the Watch 2 Pro, it does not offer you cellular connectivity. Since only Wi-Fi is supported, you have to be connected to your phone to receive notifications and calls.
The Watch 2 does have built-in GPS, so you can use it for tracking your workouts. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 and the connection is reliable. There is also on-device storage of 32GB, which is enough for most people, as it allows you to download podcasts, playlists and audiobooks.
The Verdict
Considering everything you are getting when you opt for the Xiaomi Watch 2, it is quite an affordable device and a good choice when you want a Wear OS smartwatch.
