The Xiaomi Watch S1 Professional hasn’t even been formally introduced but, however new leaks are definitely making it seem to be an actual, cost-effective various to the Apple Watch eight and Apple Watch SE 2. Like Xiaomi’s different watches, it’ll work with each iOS and Android, however the Professional seems like a step up in high quality to the model’s earlier low-cost watches. 

If the leaks are true, it’ll be an actual contender for one of the best low-cost smartwatch and finest smartwatch of the 12 months to date. The leak comes courtesy of confirmed leaker @_snoopytech_, (opens in new tab) who supplied particulars and pictures we noticed on NotebookCheck.internet (opens in new tab). The Xiaomi Watch S1 Professional is ready to be revealed at MWC later this month, and it seems like an actual discover. 

A 1.47-inch brilliant, crisp AMOLED 480 x 480 show will make the watch look stunning, particularly with its traditional design, however surprisingly, this display screen belies the watch’s battery capabilities, with a 500mAh battery designed to last as long as 14 days.

Contemplating the common Apple Watch lasts 18 hours, that is nearly unbelievable. The notoriously long-lasting finest Garmin watches often pack a much less power-hungry memory-in-pixel display screen, which isn’t as brilliant or clean as the next pixel-count AMOLED display screen supplied by ‘true’ smartwatches.

Xiaomi is bringing the Watch S1 Professional to world markets at #MWC23. Pricing begins at €299, Silver and Black.1.47″ AMOLED480 x 480 Show500 mAh (14 Days) + wi-fi Charging5ATMPulse and SP02100 Health modesiOS and Android pic.twitter.com/SjYAKPoRQcFebruary 14, 2023

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If Xiaomi can juggle each options for the worth snoopy claims the watch will probably be (€299, so roughly $319 / £265 / AU$465) then it’ll be a less expensive possibility than the Apple Watch SE 2 and final 9.three instances longer. That’s spectacular {hardware}. 

Elsewhere, the watch’s stats proceed to impress, with 5ATM water resistance (roughly 50 meters), physique temperature sensors (which once more, the SE2 doesn’t have), 100 health modes, and wi-fi charging.

Evaluation: {Hardware} is not every part

Let’s be actual for a minute: pretty much as good because the Watch S1 Professional seems to be on paper, it’s not going to persuade the overwhelming majority of Apple Watch wearers to commerce of their tracker for a Xiaomi providing. Apple’s user-friendly software program, messaging and advertising is simply too good for that. 

Though the Xiaomi S1 Professional works advantageous with iOS, it gained’t seamlessly combine with an iOS cellphone in the way in which Apple Watches do. You gained’t be capable to use it with Apple Health Plus in the identical approach, and it gained’t sync with Apple Well being – at the least with out some finangling in your finish. 

These 100 health modes are additionally trigger for concern. Most units have a operating mode which presents specialist metrics, corresponding to stride size for operating, energy for biking or stroke rely for swimming. However most different actions, corresponding to yoga, HIIT or climbing, use precisely the identical exercise profile below totally different names. 

Some watches supply differentiation: for instance Garmin usually lets you categorize the routes you climb with the internationally recognised “V” grading system. However there’s usually nothing to distinguish between these profiles: in spite of everything, how do you measure success in a yoga class?

However for customers of each iOS and Andriod who’re persistently pissed off with brief battery lives of their watches, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Professional would possibly scratch that itch. It’s obtained that pretty AMOLED display screen fairly than the darkish memory-in-pixel of most Garmin watches at that value level, however the prolonged battery permits fixed put on, which is nice for sleep and heart-rate data. 

There’s no phrase on GPS connectivity, but it surely means you’ll be capable to head out for a run or cycle, even a protracted one, assured that your watch will see you thru. The slick-looking design on the watch, which evokes traditional analog put on with its leather-based strap, milled crown dial and faux-analog watch faces, is the icing on the proverbial cake. No surprise so many watches are beginning to come to grips with a hybrid aesthetic, just like the Garmin Intuition Crossover.