Xiaomi Watch S3 vs Watch 2 Pro: How to choose between them
Xiaomi has expanded its smartwatch lineup with the recent releases of the Xiaomi Watch S3 and the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. If you’re trying to decide which of these feature-packed smartwatches is right for you, this side-by-side comparison will help you weigh their differences. Also, make sure to check out our detailed hands-on review of Xiaomi Watch S3.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Both devices offer robust fitness tracking and convenient smartwatch features – and there are lots of similarities between them. But there are also distinctions in their design, health sensors, battery life, and price that might sway your decision.
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Key takeaways
If you’re looking for a solid smartwatch with long battery life and core features at an excellent price, the Xiaomi Watch S3 is a great choice. For those desiring slightly more advanced health metrics, a luxurious feel, and the freedom of cellular connectivity, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro offers a more comprehensive experience.
View on Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Watch 2 Pro).
Jump to
Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Price
Bottom line
Xiaomi Watch S3 vs Watch 2 Pro: Hardware
Look & feel
The latest crop of Xiaomi smartwatches are all similar in design. No doubt, the company is utilising what it already has under its belt, and tweaking and improving some things.
The two device share a common design ethos. They both sport a circular look giving them a traditional watch appearance. Build-wise, the Watch S3 features an aluminum alloy frame, stainless steel bezel, and Corning glass for protection. The Watch 2 Pro steps it up with a sapphire crystal front, stainless steel frame, and plastic back for a more premium feel. There are no different size options for either model.
Looks-wise, the most interesting thing about the Xiaomi Watch S3 is its interchangeable bezel. As noted in our review, this innovative design allows users to easily change the look of their watch to suit different occasions or personal tastes, offering a level of versatility not commonly found in smartwatches. In fact, if you change the bezel, strap and watch face – you can make the S3 on your wrist look like a totally different watch.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro opts for a more traditional, fixed bezel design, prioritizing a sleek and unified appearance. So it does not offer quite the same level of customization as the Watch S3.
In terms of physical buttons, the Xiaomi Watch S3 has two flat buttons, while the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro boasts a rotating crown and two flat buttons. The rotating crown on the Watch 2 Pro offers an alternate and perhaps more intuitive way to navigate the watch’s menus and features.
Display, colour options, water resistance
The display on the two waches is exactly the same. An AMOLED with 466 x 466 pixels resulation and automatic brightness capabilities. This means you can expect crisp visuals and excellent outdoor visibility from either device.
The same is the case with water-resistance. Both devices are 5 ATM rated.
Finally, color options are limited for both models, with both being available in Black and Silver color variants. But thanks to a quick release mechanism, you can pair these with a wide range of different straps. And there’s the above mentioned interchangeable bezel on the S3.
Sensor technology
Under the hood, the duo is equipped with a heart rate sensor that includes blood oxygen monitoring, an accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, and barometer sensor, laying a comprehensive foundation for fitness and health tracking. However, the Watch 2 Pro enhances its health monitoring capabilities with a bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor.
GPS and NFC features are uniformly available across both devices, supporting dual-band GNSS for precise location tracking and enabling contactless payments. This similarity ensures that users of either model can enjoy the convenience of navigating and transacting without the need for physical cards or devices. Connectivity is further bolstered by Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi capabilities, facilitating seamless integration with smartphones and home networks.
Music storage is another feature that both watches share, allowing users to store tracks directly on the device for offline playback. The presence of built-in speakers and microphones on both models not only supports music playback but also enables voice commands and call handling, enhancing the smartwatch experience with hands-free convenience.
However, the Watch 2 Pro distinguishes itself with the option for LTE connectivity, a feature not available on the Watch S3. This cellular option extends the functionality of the Watch 2 Pro beyond the range of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, enabling users to stay connected even when away from their phone or any Wi-Fi network. Useful if you require that sort of thing.
Battery life
A big difference is in battery life. With typical usage, the Xiaomi Watch S3 can reach up to 15 days on a single charge. This translates to real-world usage as well, meaning you won’t need to charge your watch very often unless you enable the Always-On Display feature, which brings the 486 mAh battery life down to around 5 days. This longevity is attributed to Xiaomi’s HyperOS, designed to optimize battery consumption while providing a streamlined user experience.
On the other hand, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, equipped with a slightly larger 495mAh battery, delivers up to 65 hours of battery life for the Bluetooth version and up to 55 hours for the LTE variant. Its efficient charging time of just 85 minutes to reach full capacity is a significant advantage for users requiring quick power-ups. The Watch 2 Pro’s operating system, MIUI layered on top of Wear OS 3.5, provides a rich user experience with access to a broader ecosystem, which contributes to its different battery life expectancy. In fact, this sort of battery life is pretty decent for something running Wear OS.
Xiaomi Watch S3 vs Watch 2 Pro: Technical specs
Here’s a comprehensive tech specs comparison table that includes the main information for the Xiaomi Watch S3 and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. We also threw in Xiaomi Watch 2 for good measure:
Specification | Xiaomi Watch S3 | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | Xiaomi Watch 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Release Date | February 2024 | September 2023 | February 2024 |
Case Material | Aluminium alloy frame, stainless steel bezel, corning glass, interchangeable bezel | Sapphire crystal front, stainless steel frame, plastic back | Aluminium alloy frame, plastic back |
Number of Physical Buttons | 2 flat buttons | 1 rotating crown + 2 flat buttons | 2 flat buttons |
Shape | Round | Round | Round |
Size | 47.0 x 47.0 x 12.0 mm | 47.6 x 45.9 x 11.8 mm | 47.5 x 45.9 x 11.8 mm |
Display Type | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels, up to 600 nits | 466 x 466 pixels, up to 600 nits | 466 x 466 pixels, up to 600 nits |
Screen Size | 1.43 inch | 1.43 inch | 1.43 inch |
Weight (without strap) | 44 grams | 54.6 grams | 36.8 grams |
Sensors | Heart rate sensor (with blood oxygen sensor), accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, barometer sensor, ambient light sensor, hall sensor | Heart rate sensor (with blood oxygen sensor), accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, barometer sensor, ambient light sensor, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor | Heart rate sensor (with blood oxygen sensor), accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, barometer sensor, ambient light sensor |
Water-Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Positioning | L1+L5 dual-band GNSS (five-satellite positioning) | L1+L5 dual-band GNSS (five-satellite positioning) | L1+L5 dual-band GNSS (five-satellite positioning) |
Built-in Speaker | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Music Storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Connection | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Cellular Connectivity | No | Yes (optional) | No |
Battery Type | 486 mAh | 495 mAh (85 minute charging time) | 495 mAh (85 minute charging time) |
Battery Life | Typical usage up to 15 days, AOD usage – up to 5 days | Bluetooth version (up to 65 hours), LTE version (up to 55 hours) | up to 65 hours |
Operating System | Xiaomi HyperOS | MIUI layered on top of Wear OS 3.5 | MIUI layered on top of Wear OS 3.5 |
Colors | Black, Silver | Black, Silver | Black, Silver |
Typical RRP | $150 | $270 and up | $200 and up |
Xiaomi Watch S3 vs Watch 2 Pro: Features
The Xiaomi Watch S3 and Watch 2 Pro differ little in their health and fitness tracking capabilities. They provide the essentials: continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level tracking, sleep analysis, and stress monitoring. This gives you a comprehensive overview of your well-being throughout the day and night. For workout enthusiasts, both watches offer over 150 sports modes to accurately track a wide range of activities, from running and cycling to swimming and yoga.
The repositary for all of this is the Mi Fitness app. It offers a simple and to-the-point no-frills experience. What we like is that Xiaomi is gradually venturing into the territory of sports watches. For example, runners will be happy to know they can find info on Vo2Max, recovery time, training effect and more in the app.
Where the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro stands out is its bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor. This allows you to measure and track body composition metrics such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, and more. Some might say this is purely a gimick and you shouldn’t pay too much attention to these types of stats. Perhaps they are right. Even smart scales struggle with accuracy when it comes to anything beyond simple weight measurements.
When it comes to fitness and sports features, the duo well-equipped to track a variety of activities, ensuring users have the data they need to monitor their workouts and athletic performance. GPS and dual-band GNSS support. Having tested the tech on the S3, we can attest that the sattelite chip offers quick and accurate location tracking for outdoor activities.
Smartwatch-type features
Beyond their health focus, these smartwatches offer a suite of features that streamline your daily life. They mirror your phone notifications, ensuring you never miss an important call, text, or alert. You can conveniently control your music playback right from your wrist or even store music directly on the watch for phone-free listening during workouts. Built-in apps for weather, alarms, timers, and more add to the versatility.
Of course, you get much more in terms of app support from Watch 2 Pro. That’s because it benefits from the fully featured Wear OS system. Which means you get access to the Google Play Store.
What’s also unique to the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is its optional cellular connectivity. This allows the watch to function independently of your phone, so you can make calls, send messages, stream music, and access data completely untethered. This provides a high level of freedom and convenience, allowing you to leave your phone behind when exercising outdoors.
Xiaomi Watch S3 vs Watch 2 Pro: Price
There’s a noticeable price difference between the Xiaomi Watch S3 and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. The Xiaomi Watch S3 offers excellent value for money, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users. It provides the core health and smartwatch features that most people need, along with incredible battery life.
The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro comes at a premium price. This is justified by its inclusion of more advanced health sensors, the operating system it runs on, the optional cellular connectivity, and its more luxurious build quality. If you value these additional features and want the best Xiaomi smartwatch experience, the device might be worth the higher investment.
Xiaomi Watch S3 vs Watch 2 Pro: Final thoughts
The Xiaomi Watch S3 shines with its outstanding battery life, an interchangeable bezel for customization, and a price that’s hard to beat. If you prioritize long battery life, core fitness tracking, and the essential smartwatch experience, the Watch S3 delivers exceptional value.
- Buy the Xiaomi Watch S3 if… you want a capable smartwatch with fantastic battery life, the ability to customize the look, and an affordable price.
The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro offers greater depth in both health and smartwatch features. Its bioelectrical impedance analysis, optional cellular connectivity, premium build, and rotating crown provide a more refined experience. If you desire a more comprehensive health analysis, the freedom of cellular connectivity, a luxuriously built device, and an intuitive control interface, the Watch 2 Pro is the way to go. The caveat is that because it runs on Google WearOS 3.5, the time between charges is short.
- Buy the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro if… you want in-depth health metrics, cellular connectivity, and a premium smartwatch experience with a convenient rotating crown.
View on Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Watch 2 Pro).
Make sure to check out our detailed hands-on review of Xiaomi Watch S3.
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