Xiaomi Watch S3 review

18 March 2024
Xiaomi's first HyperOS smartwatch offers unparalleled customizability, sleek looks and a rich set of features.

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  • Smartwatchguy
  • Yd6
  • 25 Mar 2024

Given the state of wearOs and what Google did to those keeping the platform on life support, expect more of this. Those new to wearables think health and fitness are the smart features so we have a long road ahead of us before the smartwatch market matures and evolves.

Most users are better suited with fitness bands that show notifications, stream music and maybe answer calls, just my opinion. (I don't mean the Pixel 2 which is sometimes in the list of fitness bands).

    • D
    • Dmx
    • 33f
    • 25 Mar 2024

    Running the watch S3 Silver for 1 week now. Had the first Xiaomi Watch Sport for 2.5 years and tested the 2nd gen S1 Active as well.
    My take: UI is polished enough compared to others, including minor tweaks. More features, better configurable watch faces. More sports features. The added thickness is noticeable but not an issue on small wrists (mine included).
    While the band is of higher quality than 3rd party ones on Ali, I don't think it suits the watch. Changed it to a black one for now.

    Got my second update yesterday (with no specific changelog), after the one out of the box.
    I enabled Advanced Sleep tracking and set HMR on Smart Monitoring. Battery life is probably 1 week- to reach 10%. Didn't get to test Sports GPS tracking until now. Will probably disable Advanced Sleep as it's not smth I would necessarily use.

    If it lasts 2+ years like the first gen did, until I passed it to someone in the family it's awesome. Got in Europe for 120 euros so you should look for a 120-130 price to be right. Some retailers have way to higher prices for this watch- almost matching the Watch 2 with WearOS which some priced even higher than discounted prices for the Watch 2 Pro... which again is no right. I guess in the 100-200 euros bracket they can price it anywhere.

      Marco M, 25 Mar 2024Many men do. I'm just not one of them either :o) Be... moreWell I'm all for watches not being sex-oriented.

      But ask any watchmaker what a suitable watch case size are for a particular arm, and you would not see anyone recommending a case of a length the size of the wrist width.
      The ends of the watch case shall be ON the arm, not hoovering over it (or even worse beyond it)...

      https://www.ohalloranjewelers.com/uploads/3/1/8/5/31852741/over-sized-watches_orig.jpg

      And as far as I know people's arms aren't growing wider at the speed the smartwatches get more and more oversized...

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • JHk
        • 25 Mar 2024

        Anonymous, 25 Mar 2024This design emphasises the 'bezels'. Trying to t... moreWow, I rarely read such bad takes. The design emphazises the look of a true watch, therefore it has such bezels. It's intentional and not a bad thing.

          600nits brightness is not enough for outdoor use. AMOLED screens on smartwatches are the best proof that with the power of advertising they can sell refrigerators to Eskimos.

            EskeRahn, 25 Mar 2024I wonder how many that has an arm fat erhm huge enough for ... moreMany men do. I'm just not one of them either :o)

            Besides, we've lived in a time for quite a while where even women get the bigger "mens" watch instead if the smaller one designed for women. So much so that many womens watches are now the same size as mens watches. Speaking of non-smart watches here, btw.

            So it seems it has become normalized to wear an "over sized" watch. Or rather, it isn't considered as over sized anymore. Neither in smart watches nor with non-smart watches.

              I wonder how many that has an arm fat erhm huge enough for this not looking ridiculous on the arm? The one in the review certainly hasn't.....

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                • Anonymous
                • 0cB
                • 25 Mar 2024

                Kuba, 25 Mar 2024Everything I ever owned from xiaomi was broken after 6-12 m... moreNot the same for my Mi Band 6. Used many months and gave to my sister. She is using it now. Still works fine. Bought Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Cool smartwatch. The only downside is short battery life.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • 2xE
                  • 25 Mar 2024

                  This design emphasises the 'bezels'. Trying to take a positive spin on a negative of the watch; HUGE bezels! There are many choices out there and mega-bezels is not on the list.

                    The fact that this costs as much as a Xiaomi Watch 2 and still runs a proprietary OS is absurd.

                    You wanna show off a classy look? Just get the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, or the Watch 2 together with a metal casing.

                      • K
                      • Kuba
                      • uN{
                      • 25 Mar 2024

                      Everything I ever owned from xiaomi was broken after 6-12 months. Even hair shaver and electric toothbrush:) It's like there is a kill chip that activates after warranty is over and suddenly the equipment dies.

                        All this innovation and price..
                        but still a kids toy that gets zero professional respect.

                          kudos to xiaomi for making HyperOS smartwatch.

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