The Xiaomi Watch S3 is an reasonably priced smartwatch with a extremely customizable look that features swappable bezels. It could actually observe your well being, health, and sleep, carry telephone notifications to your wrist, and final a number of days between expenses. The draw back? It runs Xiaomi’s software program, which feels a bit fundamental, and you may neglect about third-party apps.
Closing in on a month with the Xiaomi Watch S3, I’m impressed by its monitoring capabilities, contemplating the comparatively low value, and the changeable bezels are a neat concept. However I’m additionally positive with saying goodbye to it. The Watch S3 has too many limitations for me, but it surely’s essential to keep in mind that this gadget is lower than half the worth of probably the most reasonably priced choice in our finest smartwatches information.
Earlier than we dig in, it’s price noting that there’s a international model of the Xiaomi Watch S3, but it surely’s not offered within the US, there is no official US help, and sure options (like NFC for funds) differ by area.
Smartwatch Chameleon
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
For folk who prefer to match their watch with their outfit, the Xiaomi Watch S3 has a novel trick up its sleeve within the form of interchangeable bezels. Altering the strap on a watch will be impactful, however having the ability to change each the strap and bezel virtually makes it seem like a very completely different gadget.
The Watch S3 has fairly a chunky 47-mm aluminum case with angled lugs and two buttons on the fitting. A chrome steel bezel sits on prime of the display, and you may rotate it to take away and substitute it with a distinct bezel. It’s straightforward when you get the dangle, and there’s a wee marker on the within that can assist you align. The bezels slot into place securely, and I by no means nervous about them coming unfastened.
Connect a brand new bezel and the Watch S3 suggests an identical watch face. It is a neat trick. There are greater than 100 watch faces in each conceivable fashion, and you may even create your personal. Altering the strap can be easy, so you’ll be able to rapidly change your look. My favourite of the straps and bezels Xiaomi despatched was the fashionable inexperienced and black combo. You get one black or silver bezel with an identical fluororubber strap with the Watch S3, and alternate options should be bought individually.
The 1.43-inch AMOLED display has a layer of protecting Corning glass. The show is roomy and crisp, however the comparatively low peak brightness of 600 nits (a luminance measurement) meant it was generally onerous to learn in direct daylight. The Watch S3 can be 5ATM rated for water resistance, which means you’ll be able to swim with it.
{Photograph}: Simon Hill
Streamlined for Stamina
The Xiaomi Watch S3 focuses on the fundamentals with name and notification alerts out of your telephone; well being, health, and sleep monitoring; and a handful of utilities like a voice recorder, digicam shutter management, and compass. It runs HyperOS, so there aren’t any third-party apps like you will see on a Google Put on OS smartwatch.
Navigating across the Watch S3 is slick and lag-free. HyperOS will not be probably the most enticing software program and lacks a cohesive design, with a mixture of boring and garish icons. Nevertheless it principally labored properly, apart from the odd missed notification from my telephone. It connects by way of Bluetooth 5.2, and you should use it with any telephone working Android 8 or iOS 12 or later. I examined with the Xiaomi 14 Extremely.
