Charging the smartwatch every night is a headache. But what if it only needs to be refilled once every 21 days? Enter the 46mm Xiaomi Watch S5.
Xiaomi released it first See S5 in China in March, but the company launched internationally this week, with global availability starting in late May and early June, depending on the region. While the Watch S5 hasn’t been announced for the US, European pricing (€179.99 or €199.99 depending on color and strap style) gives us an idea of what to expect if you’re looking to import it. You’re looking at somewhere between $210 and $233.
How does Xiaomi’s Watch S5 get up to 21 hours of battery life when rivals like it? Apple Watch Series 11 ($400) and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Can he collect ($350) in just one day? Battery life always has a big asterisk next to it, but in this case it seems pretty acceptable.
The light use of the Watch S5 allows the 815 mAh battery to last up to 21 days. Xiaomi defines light usage as up to six incoming call alerts per day, three alerts per day, 30 minutes of Bluetooth calls per week, 30 minutes of music playback per week and up to 100 messages per day with 90 minutes of exercise recording. Normal use will reduce battery life to 14 days, and always-on use will reduce battery life to approximately 9 days.
Other smartwatches on offer days battery life doesn’t seem close to the Watch S5 either. The OnePlus Watch 3 ($350) and Amazfit Active 3 Premium ($170) provide about 3 days and up to 12 days respectively. If you really want “limited” battery life, you should consider a solar-powered watch like the Garmin Instinct series (starting at $300).
Aside from the long battery life, the rest of the Watch S5 looks solid. Highlights include 5-system dual-band GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), over 150 sports modes, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking and an advanced cycling mode that turns your phone into a cycling computer.
Of course, there are some features that the Xiaomi Watch S5 lacks compared to its flagship competition, such as an EKG sensor and a depth measurement function. However, the Watch S5 includes professional skiing and cycling modes among more than 150 sports.
The Watch S5 works with the top Xiaomi phone for shared ecosystem quality-of-life features, but can connect to any smartphone via the Mi Fitness app for more in-depth fitness tracking and health data storage.
As with all Xiaomi product launches, the main downside is that the company doesn’t officially sell the Watch S5 in the US.
