Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro review (and S1 comparison)

Xiaomi’s newest release has hit the U.K. markets, so it’s time to see what’s up with this Pro version of the Xiaomi Watch S1. While we were never overwhelmed with the Watch S1 series, this Pro model could be an interesting choice to pick up. Read more about our thoughts in this Xiaomi Watch S1 review.

What’s new with the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro?

Just like most Pro models of smartwatches, the design stays relatively the same while the internals get a bit of a boost. The S1 Pro gets a bit of a fancier display which does alter the design a tad, but most changes can be seen in its features and sensors. 

Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro review: Design

The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro has a round clock face, quite similar to the Samsung Galaxy Watch series. The housing is of the stainless steel variety and comes in either black or silver. Just like the regular S1 and S1 Active, it features a dial to control the watch, as well as a shortcut button for going to the tracking mode.

We found the standard strap that was supplied with our Watch S1 Pro to be subpar. The quality is limited, and the colour feels off too. It also only comes with one strap, unlike the regular S1 you don’t get an extra strap to swap between a sporty or formal look. Luckily, Xiaomi has a standard pin mechanism to change these straps out as usual. This standard fitting is suitable for all of our Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro straps. 

The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is water resistant, with a 5ATM rating. This is good enough to protect your smartwatch from water as long as you don’t use it for diving. Swimming, showering, working out in the rain: Your watch will be protected.

Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro review: Display

The S1 Pro now sports a 1,47 inch AMOLED display with a whopping 480x480 resolution. A bigger screen and bigger resolution than the regular S1. We found the screen to be bright and clear, even in sunny situations. It has an always-on feature as well, although this does drain the battery more than we’d like to.

The Watch S1 Pro’s display is protected by a proper sapphire glass front. This ensures a good durability as you’re used to from higher end smartwatches. This feature is present on the regular S1 too, but the Pro also has some sapphire glass on the back of the watch. Your sensors have some more protection here, and also feel better on the skin. 

Although the screen has increased in size, the size of both watches stays relatively the same. The bezel has shrunk quite a bit in the Pro model to great effect. The watch looks more refined than the regular S1 and squeezes more screen size into the same dimensions.

Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro review: Battery life

The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro has an ever so slightly increased battery, at 500 mAh compared to the 470 mAh of the regular S1. Xiaomi claims to increase the battery life from 12 to 14 days on the Pro model, but in reality you’ll hardly notice the difference.

Especially given that this 14 day battery life is going to be pretty hard to achieve. Don’t be surprised if you’ll have to charge your watch on a daily basis if you’re using it regularly. Especially the Always-On display and features like SpO2 tracking or GPS will drain the battery quite rapidly, more so than higher end watches like the Samsung or Apple competitors.

Charging your S1 Pro battery goes rather quick, however. Just a quick 10 minute charge will give you plenty of charge to get through your day. Wireless charging is also available for the S1 Pro, just like on the regular version. It took us just 80 minutes to go from 0-100 in terms of battery capacity. 

Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro review: Features and Sensors

Most of the differences will be found in the features and hardware however, as you’d expect from a Pro model. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro takes all the features and sensors from the regular S1 and slots in a few extra ones too. Present is, amongst other things, a PPG heart rate sensor that will keep track of your pulse and SpO2 levels day and night. 

New on the S1 Pro is a temperature sensor that can record and keep track of your skin temperature. Although like many other sensors, Xiaomi does not recommend using it for medical purposes. 

The main upgrade is a new Dual-band GPS system to keep track of your movements during your workouts. Especially useful on bike rides and runs, notably when you like going cross country. There’s now more than 100 running courses to choose from, giving you an introduction to running sessions, intervals, and optimal fat burning courses.

Price and availability

As you’d expect, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro also comes with a bit of a bigger price tag. Buying your new S1 Pro will set you back a whopping £ 299,00. For that kind of money, we’d much rather buy something like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 which currently comes in at £ 269. It’s also double what’s being asked for the regular Mi Watch S1, which comes in at £ 146,80 at time of writing.

The S1 Pro is available in 46mm only, featuring a 22mm strap connector. You can choose from a black or silver housing. It comes either with a standard silicone strap, or a leather strap for a 30 pound charge. We highly recommend taking a look at our Xiaomi S1 straps, as the leather strap is rather poor quality. 

In summary

The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is a decent upgrade, with some extra refinement in terms of design and a bigger display. The new features such as a dual-band GPS function are also a welcome change. The price point at this moment is probably not worth it though, as choosing for the cheaper Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 seems to be a better way to go. The regular Watch S1 is also still a great option at just half the price.

People Also Asked

Is Xiaomi Watch S1 worth buying?
The Xiaomi Watch S1 is a strong alternative to other Android smartwatches, but the price point seems too high to convince most people. A Samsung Galaxy Watch can often be found for a similar price.

What’s the difference between Xiaomi Watch S1 vs Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro?
The main difference is some more features such as dual band GPS and a temperature sensor. The design and display are also slightly upgraded.