So far as Put on OS gadgets go, there’s no scarcity of wearables to select from, due to a variety of fashions from manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, Google, and extra not too long ago, OnePlus. With that in thoughts nonetheless, most Put on OS merchandise lean in the direction of the costly aspect of issues, with costs often starting from $250 and above.
This the place the brand new Xiaomi Watch 2 is available in – priced at slightly below 200 bucks, Xiaomi’s price range smartwatch options all of the fundamentals you’d count on from Put on OS, though at such a low worth one would possibly suppose that there are important compromises. Is that this actually the case although? Let’s discover out.
Xiaomi Watch 2 Specs
- Show: 1.43-inch AMOLED, 466 x 466 pixels (326 ppi)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
- 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
- Battery: 495 mAh, magnetic charging
- Water resistance: 5 ATM
- Sensors: Optical coronary heart fee sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ambient mild sensor, Digital compass, Barometer
- GPS: Twin band L1+L5 GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou, QZSS
Design and Show High quality
Beginning off with the design, it’s most likely secure to say that Xiaomi didn’t got down to reinvent the wheel with this one. The Xiaomi Watch 2 comes along with your commonplace spherical watch face, that includes an aluminum alloy casing that wraps across the 1.43-inch AMOLED touchscreen in entrance, and two motion buttons on the right-hand aspect. In a approach it resembles the base-model Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, albeit with a number of minor modifications to the design.
The show is responsive and simply seen even when open air, though it needs to be famous that the bezel across the display screen is a bit giant, and isn’t raised not like on the Xiaomi Watch 2 Professional. It additionally lacks a rotating crown, so navigating by the UI would require you to swipe on the show. On the underside you’ll discover the watch’s sensors, in addition to a slot the place the magnetic charging pins hook as much as.
This entire setup is water-proof for as much as 50 meters of depth, that means you can take it for infrequent dips if obligatory. General it’s a design that performs it secure, and extra importantly doesn’t really feel too low cost. It additionally helps that it helps commonplace watch bands, so you need to use appropriate straps on the Xiaomi Watch 2.
Software program Options
For software program, the Xiaomi Watch 2 runs on Google Put on OS, a extra succesful software program platform that permits for higher customization, compatibility with Android, in addition to entry to a variety of apps. It’s actually higher than the customized real-time OS techniques that you just’ll discover on most simple wearables on the market – consequently, the software program is fluid and responsive, with barely any lag when scrolling all through the UI.
In fact, Put on OS does imply that it’ll solely work on Android, though you need to use it with just about any Android smartphone on the market. It does require you to make use of Xiaomi’s Mi Health app, which handles account sign-in and system setup earlier than you need to use the system itself.
As a Put on OS system nonetheless, I’d wish to suppose that the Xiaomi Watch 2 was capable of carry out adequately throughout my time utilizing it.
As a Put on OS system nonetheless, I’d wish to suppose that the Xiaomi Watch 2 was capable of carry out adequately throughout my time utilizing it. Notifications from my Pixel went by to my watch with none hitches, I might name upon Google Assistant merely with the “Hey Google” voice immediate, and I used to be capable of set up Google’s personal health software program and third-party watch faces by way of Google Play. I may even sort replies to messages, though it takes a little bit of persistence given the small show.
Maybe one main consideration although is that the Watch 2 remains to be on Put on OS model 3.5, at the least on the time of this evaluate. On condition that even my a lot older Galaxy Watch 4 Basic has already acquired Put on OS 4, having a fairly-newer system caught on an older platform model does lead me to marvel simply how lengthy will it take earlier than Xiaomi brings over the most recent platform improve to the watch.
Health Options and Battery
I’m not a health nut by any means – at most, I exploit my wearables to maintain monitor of my coronary heart fee, and possibly log some steps when out and about. For those who’re planning on getting the Xiaomi Watch 2 primarily as a exercise companion nonetheless, it does pack over 160 exercise modes, together with operating, biking, HIIT exercises, and even yoga.
In fact, there’s additionally built-in monitoring for coronary heart fee, SpO₂, sleep metrics, and even stress monitoring. As a consequence of its low worth nonetheless, it lacks pores and skin temperature monitoring, which is perhaps a difficulty for some customers.
I ought to observe that coronary heart fee monitoring might be inconsistent. The watch will sometimes give me increased readings than ordinary, which is perhaps a serious level of consideration for some customers. By comparability, my Apple Watch confirmed extra practical coronary heart charges in comparable situations.
As for battery endurance, the Xiaomi Watch 2 can final round a day and a half on common, though that’s should you tweak the always-on show settings, Wifi connectivity, and such. For those who actually stretch it with conservative use you possibly can possibly get two days’ value of battery life from the watch, however provided that you’re keen to make use of it constantly right down to the final proportion in your battery counter. It may possibly cost totally to 100% in just below an hour, offered that you’ve got a appropriate fast cost adapter.
Last Ideas
As a Put on OS smartwatch, the Xiaomi Watch 2 will get plenty of issues proper – options comparable to Google Assistant, customized replies to notifications, a straightforward setup course of, in addition to a strong design and reliable battery life all make for one pretty competent wearable, at a worth extra reasonably priced than most rivals in the marketplace.
However, elements such because the inconsistent coronary heart fee monitoring and the shortage of pores and skin temperature sensing are issues to contemplate, particularly for customers who prioritize these options. However once more, if an reasonably priced Put on OS system is all you’re after, then the Xiaomi Watch 2 will get the job executed.
