Xiaomi has officially unveiled the Mi Watch: an Apple Watch lookalike that runs a skinned version of Google Wear OS with prices starting at $185.
The Mi Watch has a square OLED display with a resolution of 368×448 pixels. Its screen glass curves into the aluminum alloy chassis. The strip is made from rubber, but an exclusive model brings stainless steel to the table for both the wristband and the housing. A 570mAh battery is supposed to make the regular version last up to 36 hours while the higher-end variant is equipped with a 590mAh.
Mi Watch Spec
Display – 1.78-inch AMOLED 368×448
Software – MIUI for Watch (based on Wear OS)
CPU – Snapdragon Wear 3100
RAM – 1GB
Storage – 8GB
Battery – 570mAh (standard version), 590 mAh (exclusive version)
Connectivity – eSIM, GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.2
Miscellaneous – Swimming-proof, heart rate monitor
Measurements – 44.69mm x 36.92mm x 12.28mm, 44g (without strap)
Colors – Black, silver (standard version only)
Price – Standard version: CNY 1,300 (~$185)
Exclusive version: CNY 2,000 (~$285)
Both versions come with Bluetooth 4.2 and 2.4GHz 802.11/b/g/n Wi-Fi. The inclusion of LTE and GPS make the watches a viable fitness tracker that allows you to leave your phone at home while you work out. Thanks to an integrated NFC chip, you could even make a quick stop at a shop and pay without a wallet.
Xiaomi says its watch is capable of monitoring your stress level and your nightly sleep thanks to 24-hour heart rate monitoring, and offers a selection of sports modes that you can use to track your activities. The company even touts its wearable can detect irregularities in your heartbeat and urge you to see a doctor, just like the Apple Watch.
The analogies to Apple’s product don’t stop at the exterior and the health features, unfortunately. Thanks to the option for extensive Wear OS customizations only available in China, Xiaomi took the opportunity to make the Mi Watch look as similar to Apple’s watchOS as possible. The custom UI’s notifications, buttons, and even whole applications like the stock, weather, and fitness tracking apps look way too similar to its competitor’s interface.
It’s possible that the Mi Watch will also launch in other countries in the months to come. Alongside the watch, Xiaomi also today unveiled the CC9 Pro: a smartphone with a 108-megapixel camera.
