The Xiaomi Watch 5 marks a notable revival of Xiaomi’s relationship with Google’s Wear OS after several years away from the platform. It runs on the latest operating system, Wear OS 6.0, which offers improvements in notification support, better-optimized battery life, and integration with Google Gemini.
For those considering an upgrade, the Watch 5 is positioned as Xiaomi’s strongest WearOS smartwatch to date, providing a combination of solid performance, premium design elements, dependable fitness tracking, and standout battery longevity.
A major feature highlighted by the device is its exceptional battery life. Unlike many Wear OS smartwatches that require charging every couple of days, the Watch 5 can last approximately six days with typical use, a significant improvement over previous Xiaomi models that lasted around two days.
The watch emphasizes durability and aesthetics, featuring a premium build with a stainless steel case. Both the front and back are protected by sapphire glass, adding increased scratch resistance from both sides. The device has a 1.54-inch, 480 x 480 AMOLED display.
Performance is handled by co-processor architecture, pairing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processors with 2GB of RAM and a low-power BES2800 processor, allowing the smartwatch to assign features to the most suitable power source. Reviewers reported that performance was slick without any noticeable lag.
Beyond core operation, the Xiaomi Watch 5 introduces EMG sensors, enabling finger-based gestures. These controls allow users to perform actions such as dismissing notifications, silencing alarms, or taking photos remotely, proving impressive in situations where physical buttons or touchscreens are inaccessible.
In terms of fitness and health tracking, it offers standard metrics like heart rate and blood oxygen levels (SpO2). The PPG optical sensor was noted for its good performance when recording biometric data. Users can also take a single measurement capturing both heart rate and blood oxygen saturation simultaneously.
The design is described as robust and well-made, though perhaps not especially distinctive. Xiaomi provides several aesthetic options, including black or juniper green straps with a stainless steel case available in silver or gunmetal grey.
The device functions exclusively for Android phone owners, running on Wear OS 6.0. While offering fitness tracking tools and insights, the article clarifies that it does not feature the highly advanced health-monitoring capabilities found on top models from Google or Samsung.
While some features, such as offline map transfers, still lack the polish of rivals, the Xiaomi Watch 5 makes a convincing case for users prioritizing long battery life and basic Wear OS essentials. If continuous charging is a primary concern, this watch presents a strong option.
Source: Trusted Reviews