The Xiaomi Watch S4 arrives with a refreshed design, featuring a new rotating crown for enhanced navigation. While the internal specifications remain largely unchanged from its predecessor, the Watch S3, does this iterative approach hinder its appeal? We’ve spent some hands-on time with this affordable smartwatch to find out.
The Xiaomi Watch S3 relied on two buttons and a touchscreen for navigation. The Watch S4 introduces a welcome addition: a rotating crown at the two o’clock position. The crown offers a twist-to-scroll functionality, accompanied by a subtle haptic feedback, making scrolling through menus a breeze. While the Watch S3’s navigation wasn’t problematic, this crown undoubtedly enhances the user experience.
Retained from the previous generation is the innovative interchangeable bezel system. This feature provides a level of personalization rarely seen in smartwatches, with each bezel accompanied by a matching strap and watch face. The bezel swapping mechanism is remarkably user-friendly, simply twisting and clicking to lock it in place.
The rainbow-colored bezel and strap included with our review unit felt somewhat less premium compared to other options. It’s certainly no Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with a rainbow bezel. While comfortable, the multi-colored stitching on the rubber strap wasn’t to our personal preference. We also received a vibrant orange Sport Loop-style band, which offered both comfort and a striking aesthetic. The beauty of the Xiaomi Watch S4 lies in its adaptability; you can truly tailor its appearance to your individual style.
Examining the Xiaomi Watch S4’s Specifications
Internally, the Watch S4 largely mirrors its predecessor. The 1.43-inch AMOLED display boasts a 466 x 466 pixel resolution and an impressive 1,500 nits typical brightness, peaking at 2,200 nits. Outdoor visibility is excellent. The watch case is constructed from aluminum, while the bezel material varies depending on the chosen configuration, with some featuring ceramic. A 486mAh battery promises up to 15 days of usage on a single charge. Charging is handled by a magnetic puck, though the magnets could be stronger, as it can sometimes attach without proper alignment with the charging pins.
The rear of the watch houses a heart rate sensor, and the Watch S4 connects to the Mi Fitness app on your Android smartphone. Xiaomi claims to have improved its health tracking algorithm. The watch monitors heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), stress levels, and sleep. A convenient one-tap health overview feature provides a 60-second checkup, alerting you to any potential irregularities, similar to the OnePlus Watch 3.
The Watch S4 runs Xiaomi’s proprietary HyperOS 2 software. This operating system includes unique features for interacting with other Xiaomi devices. For example, you can clench your fist to advance slides in a presentation on a Xiaomi tablet or snap your fingers to reject a call. While the software is generally functional, the layout feels somewhat unconventional, eschewing the side-swipe navigation found in Wear OS for a rotating bezel-driven card system.
Is the Xiaomi Watch S4 Worth Buying?
The interchangeable bezel system remains a compelling feature, offering a refreshing approach to smartwatch personalization. While users might settle on a preferred combination, the option to switch things up adds longevity to the design.
The official price of the Xiaomi Watch S4 is yet to be announced. However, considering the Watch S3’s pricing around $160, we anticipate it to be considerably more affordable than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and OnePlus Watch 3. Its primary rival will likely be the CMF by Nothing Watch 2 Pro, which also offers interchangeable bezels. However, the Xiaomi Watch S4 appears to offer a more premium build quality and, despite some software quirks, has proven reliable in our testing. Assuming the price remains competitive, the Xiaomi Watch S4 shapes up to be a strong value proposition with its unique customization features, solid performance, and comprehensive health tracking capabilities.
