Xiaomi goes upmarket with its Watch S1 and Watch S1 Active connected watches

Rather accustomed to battling on the entry and mid-range, Xiaomi has seen higher lately, whether on the front of smartphones or the many other products that make up the Chinese manufacturer’s catalog. It’s the turn of the connected watches to take advantage of this little taste of luxury with new Watch S1 and Watch S1 Active which compete with the tenors of the sector with technical characteristics that live up to their claims.

With its stainless steel case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and leather strap (a second fluoride rubber strap is provided), the Xiaomi Watch S1 is an elegant connected watch. It thus faces the Galaxy Watch 4, Huawei Watch 3 and other Amazfit GTS 3 and GTR 3, offering equivalent services. In particular, there is a 1.43-inch Amoled HD screen supporting a display always on, as well as a refresh rate of 60 Hz, Bluetooth call management thanks to an integrated microphone and speaker, as well as wireless charging. Autonomy is for its part announced at 12 days “in normal use”.

The Watch S1 is obviously equipped with optical sensors for measuring heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). Sleep tracking is also included. The Watch S1 also has no less than 117 sports modes, 19 of which are called “professionals”supposed to offer “accompaniment of a high-level athlete”, according to Xiaomi. A dual-band GPS chip must, for its part, ensure good precision in geolocation.

A sporty variant of the Watch S1, the Watch S1 Active swaps steel for a lighter reinforced polymer (36.3 g case), still sporting a metal bezel to protect its glass. Only a fluorinated rubber strap is provided. Its other features are identical, with the watch boasting the same 5 ATM (50 m) water resistance sufficient for swimming.

Advertised prices are $269 for the Watch S1 and $199 for the Watch S1 Active. These watches are already available.