Xiaomi’s Watch S5 offers incremental improvements in build, display, battery life, and fitness features, reflecting a broader trend towards practicality over radical redesigns in the mid-range smartwatch market.
Xiaomi’s Watch S5 is a straightforward update rather than a reinvention, but that is increasingly the point in the smartwatch market. As noted in the original review on Mobile-Review, the device keeps the familiar round format and focuses on incremental gains in build quality, display brightness, battery life and sports features rather than chasing a dramatic redesign.
The watch uses a 46mm stainless-steel case that is 10.99mm thick and weighs about 46g, according to reviewers at T3 and VSComparison. That places it in the larger end of the smartwatch range, but the thinner profile helps it sit more naturally on the wrist. Xiaomi also appears to be leaning harder into a more premium presentation, with interchangeable bezels in stainless steel, ceramic and forged carbon on some versions, a detail highlighted by Mobigyaan.
The 1.48-inch AMOLED display is one of the clearest upgrades. Reviewers at T3, Testberichte and Mobigyaan all point to a peak brightness of 2,500 nits, which should improve visibility outdoors. The panel’s 480 by 480 resolution and 323ppi density are designed to keep text sharp, while the reduced bezel gives the screen a larger feel without increasing the case size.
Battery life remains another major selling point. Xiaomi claims up to 21 days, and multiple reviews say that figure is realistic only in lighter use. T3 says day-to-day use is more likely to land in the 10- to 14-day range, while the Mobile-Review assessment found roughly 14 to 17 days in normal conditions, with around 10 days when always-on display and heavier GPS use are enabled. The watch charges through a pin-based magnetic dock, which Testberichte considers dated, even if the process itself is still fairly quick.
On fitness and health tracking, the Watch S5 is well equipped, if not groundbreaking. It supports more than 150 sports modes, according to T3, VSComparison and Mobigyaan, and includes heart-rate tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, stress measurement and sleep analysis. Phonandroid adds that Xiaomi has also introduced newer motion-based features such as “Passion Mode”, which turns cheering gestures into trackable data during sports events. The same review notes that the watch still lacks some advanced health tools found on higher-end rivals, such as ECG and body composition analysis.
Navigation and connectivity are stronger points. Reviewers consistently note built-in GPS and dual-band GNSS support, which should help with faster positioning and better route accuracy. Phonandroid says the system acquires a signal in about 3 to 4 seconds, while the Mobile-Review assessment found the tracking improved enough to make a noticeable difference in forests and dense urban areas. NFC is also supported, as Testberichte and Mobigyaan note, though software limitations remain because the watch runs HyperOS rather than Wear OS.
The broader picture is that Xiaomi is trying to balance style, endurance and practical fitness functions at a relatively accessible price. VSComparison says the Watch S5 launched globally on May 28, 2026, and pricing cited by T3 and VSComparison places it around £179 or €179, which keeps it competitive. The result is not a category-defining device, but it is a well-finished smartwatch that does most of the basics convincingly and adds enough refinement to stand out in a crowded mid-range market.
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