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After Samsung and Oppo, it’s Xiaomi’s turn to reveal a new connected watch, the Watch S1 Pro. Evolution of the Watch S1, it benefits from a larger screen, a larger capacity battery and a skin temperature sensor.
Released last spring, Xiaomi’s Watch S1 represented the brand’s first proposal in the premium smartwatch segment. Steel case, sapphire crystal, leather strap… Xiaomi had not skimped on the means to make it a watch that did not have to be ashamed of the competition, and we had also appreciated the quality of its finishes during its test. complete. Five months later, here is its evolution, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro, even more luxurious and better equipped.
The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro connected watch. © Xiaomi
Bigger screen, smaller watch
Like many “Pro” variants, Xiaomi’s Watch S1 Pro benefits from a larger Amoled screen, here reaching a diagonal of 1.47″ (480 x 480 pixels), compared to 1.43″ (466 x 466 pixels) for the Watch S1. Paradoxically, the S1 Pro is nevertheless smaller than the S1, the diameter of its case being reduced by 0.5 mm, to 46 mm. Indeed, the edges of the screen have been refined.
Thinner bezels for a larger screen, without increasing watch size. © Xiaomi
The design of the S1 Pro is also intended to be thinner, with a steel case with narrow edges and now incorporating thin lugs between which the ends of the bracelet are fixed. A bracelet always in brown leather or in black Viton, for the classic versions of the S1 Pro. A stainless steel bracelet is available as an option.
Sapphire and ceramic
The novelties are also on the back of the watch, which is adorned with a ceramic coating. The island of sensors is for its part protected by a sapphire crystal, in the same way as the screen, in order to avoid scratches. The screws disappear at the same time, leaving an immaculate and easy to clean back.
A sensor island protected by sapphire crystal and a ceramic coated back. © Xiaomi
A new battery for more autonomy
Under this new cover, Xiaomi has integrated a larger capacity battery, increasing to 500 mAh, compared to 470 mAh for the S1. What add two days of autonomy according to the manufacturer, which announces up to 14 days of operation in classic use and up to 10 days in intensive use. The thickness of the watch barely increases (+0.28 mm, to 11.28 mm).
In terms of charging, we are delighted to learn that the Watch S1 Pro is compatible with reverse induction charging. A function that we would like to see more often! Enough to recharge it from a compatible smartphone (Xiaomi 12S Ultra, 12S Pro, MIX 4, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Pro…).
The watch can be charged by induction with a compatible smartphone. © Xiaomi
A skin temperature measurement with in-house algorithm
On the sensor side, there is of course the measurement of heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), but also now of skin temperature. And, unlike Samsung, which does not get wet with its Galaxy Watch 5 by leaving it to the developers to use this last measurement, Xiaomi puts forward an in-house algorithm supposed to interpret the skin temperature to provide a more reliable indication. It remains to be checked whether this measurement can really be relevant as it stands, the particularity of the skin temperature being to be very variable, in particular at the level of a limb as thin and exposed to variations in external temperature as the wrist.
Still no electrocardiogram function, however, on this Watch S1 Pro, unlike the latest Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch.
Otherwise, there is a dual-band GPS and GNSS chip, microphone and speaker to manage phone calls via Bluetooth, wifi and NFC. A 5 ATM certification ensures that the watch can be used for swimming, for example. More than 100 sports modes are also offered.
The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is currently only marketed in China, at a price of 1499 yuan, or approximately €216 excluding tax. A price 36% higher than that of the Watch S1 at its launch (1099 yuan, or approximately €158 excluding tax). The latter was launched in France at €269.99 and is now around €200 in online stores.