Xiaomi relies a lot on low prices to swallow market share, but the manufacturer does not hesitate to offer more expensive products, but which go upmarket. The new Watch S1 is one of them.
On the occasion of the conference dedicated to the Xiaomi 12 and its variations this week, the manufacturer took the opportunity to lift the veil on its new connected watch, the Watch S1. More upscale than the rest of Xiaomi’s catalog, this smartwatch plays the design card with two colors for the case (black and silver) and interchangeable straps, several of which are in leather (brown, black and blue).
Synthetic sapphire and stainless steel
Technically speaking, the Watch S1 incorporates a round 1.43-inch (466 x 466) AMOLED display covered in synthetic sapphire that is resistant to scratches, but less to drops. The 46mm watch is constructed from stainless steel, giving it a more luxurious feel than the usual aluminum offered.
Inside are several health and fitness tracking sensors for heart rate and blood oxygenation. Xiaomi promises 12 days of autonomy with a battery with a capacity of 470 mAh. A GPS, an NFC chip as well as a speaker and a microphone complete the technical sheet.
The S1 is waterproof to 5 ATM, ideal for swimming or taking a shower (beware, this certification is insufficient to guarantee proper operation in diving). Connected watch requires, we can receive notifications from the smartphone and answer phone calls.
The Watch S1 is marketed in China at a price equivalent to € 144 with a fluoroelastomer strap, or € 165 with a leather strap. Xiaomi has not formally announced international availability, but everything suggests that the product will one day be available in Europe.
