Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm: A Comprehensive Review

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I reviewed the Xiaomi Watch S3 in March 2024, and the company launched its successor earlier this year. More recently, they have launched the smaller 41mm version, which has a more feminine design and is better suited for smaller wrists.

Like the previous models, the Xiaomi Watch S4, available in both sizes, utilises Xiaomi HyperOS, making it more of a feature watch than a true smartwatch, similar to WearOS on devices like the OnePlus Watch 3. However, the benefit is a lower price point and excellent battery life.

Most smartwatches, especially these feature watches you get from Xiaomi, Huawei and other brands, have very incremental improvements between generations.

The main difference between the Xiaomi Watch S4 models is the introduction of the new 41mm model. The S4 and S3 adopted a chunkier, more masculine (for lack of a better word) aesthetic, whereas this is a bit more elegant and will appeal to those with smaller wrists who don’t want that oversized watch look.

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Xiaomi Watch S3 vs S4 Specification

Specification	Xiaomi Watch S3	Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm
Dimensions	47 × 47 × 12 mm	41.2 × 41.2 × 9.5 mm
Weight (without strap)	44 g	32 g
Display	1.43″ AMOLED, 466 × 466 pixels, 326 PPI	1.32″ AMOLED, 466 × 466 pixels, 352 PPI, 60 Hz, 1500 nits HBM
Frame / Materials	Aluminium alloy, interchangeable bezels	Stainless steel (Silver, Sunset Gold with lab-grown diamond crown)
Straps	Interchangeable (Chrome Yellow, Ocean Blue, Dual-tone Ceramic, Rainbow)	Fluororubber (Black, Mint Green), White leather, Gold Milanese
Water Resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM
Battery Capacity	486 mAh	320 mAh
Battery Life	Up to 15 days (typical use)	Up to 8 days (light use), 4 days (normal), 3 days (heavy)
Charging	2-pin magnetic charging dock	Magnetic charging dock
Operating System	Xiaomi HyperOS	Xiaomi HyperOS
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.2, Dual-band GNSS	Bluetooth 5.4, Dual-band 5-system GNSS
Sensors	Heart rate (12-channel) with SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic, atmospheric, ambient light, hall sensor	Heart rate (upgraded) with SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light, electronic compass, barometer, temperature sensor
Health Features	24/7 heart rate, SpO2, stress, advanced sleep monitoring, sleep animal insights	Heart rate, SpO2, temperature tracking (skin), improved sleep monitoring with 21-day plan, female cycle prediction
Sports Features	150+ modes, skiing mode, VO2 Max, training load, recovery, 10 running courses	150+ modes, advanced swimming mode, skiing mode with fall detection, running guide with posture recognition, sports vlog recording (Xiaomi/POCO phones)
Safety Features	Gesture controls, wrist movement operations, supports Bluetooth phone calls	Dedicated SOS button, emergency call and location sharing, emergency siren, fall detection (skiing), gesture controls (finger snap)
Watch Faces	180+ watch faces, portrait watch face (with HyperOS devices), bezel-linked dials	200+ watch faces, interactive Pet Park, customisable widgets
Special Design Features	First Xiaomi watch with interchangeable bezels, customisable style	Compact size, slim stainless steel frame, Sunset Gold edition with faceted crown and diamond
Compatibility	Android 8.0+, iOS 12.0+	Works with Mi Fitness app, enhanced with Xiaomi HyperOS 2/3 devices

Features

Design and Display

The watch is designed for wearability with a compact 41.2mm diameter and a slim 9.5mm profile. It weighs approximately 32 grams without the strap. The middle frame is constructed from stainless steel, available in silver and gold finishes. For the display, it uses a 1.32-inch AMOLED screen. This screen has a resolution of 466 by 466 pixels and a 60 Hz refresh rate, capable of reaching 1500 nits of brightness in high brightness mode for clear visibility. A variety of strap materials are available, including fluororubber, leather, and a Milanese option. Users can personalise the device with a choice of over 200 watch faces.

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Health and Wellness Monitoring

The device includes an upgraded heart rate module that also measures blood oxygen levels. An innovative skin temperature sensor is incorporated, which provides data for enhanced female cycle prediction, detects abnormal skin temperatures, and can issue overheating alerts. Sleep tracking capabilities are also upgraded, offering multi-dimensional insights and a 21-day guided plan for sleep improvement.

Fitness and Activity Tracking

For fitness enthusiasts, the watch supports over 150 sports modes. It features a dual-band five-system GNSS for precise outdoor positioning during activities like running. It provides professional modes for specific sports, including an advanced swimming mode and a professional skiing mode that includes fall detection. The watch also offers a comprehensive running guide and posture recognition. Data can be shared with external platforms such as Suunto, Strava, and Health Connect. A sports vlog function allows users to control a connected Xiaomi smartphone to record video during workouts.

Performance, Safety, and Smart Features

Powered by Xiaomi HyperOS, the watch offers a smooth user interface with customisable widgets and navigation via a rotating crown. The 320mAh battery supports up to 8 days of light use. For connectivity, it uses Bluetooth 5.4. Safety is addressed with a dedicated SOS button that enables quick emergency calls and shares real-time location. For smart interactions, the watch supports NFC payments and customisable finger snap gestures for quick access to functions like rejecting calls or opening applications.

Unboxing / Design

 The first impression is that the watch feels premium despite its size. The stainless steel frame provides a polished look, and it is surprisingly lightweight at just 32 grams minus the strap.

The display is protected with a flat glass panel and has a subtle crown, alongside a push button for power and quick actions.

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The band is 18mm wide, soft, and comfortable. Replacement is easy thanks to a quick-release feature.

The review sample I received was in the default white color, but there are also black and mint green options available, as well as a fancier Sunset Gold version for those looking for a more elegant look. The straps feel well-made, and the Milanese gold option seems particularly well-suited for formal occasions.

The S4 41mm has dimensions of 41.2 x 41.2 x 9.5 mm, making it notably slim compared to mainstream sports watches, which is ideal for those with slender wrists. Xiaomi has kept the design minimal, making it suitable for both men and women depending on the strap choice. I found it discreet and comfortable to wear in all situations, including overnight sleep tracking.

The display on the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm is a 1.32-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels, which is above average for its size, resulting in excellent pixel density, sharp menus, and clear notifications. The colors are vibrant, and the 60 Hz refresh rate provides smooth navigation. The display is easily readable, even for users who struggle with small screens.

With a brightness of 1500 nits, the display is legible in strong sunlight, and the Always-on Display feature showcases a simple analog clock design. In my experience, it outperforms cheaper LCD watches and is comparable to Huawei’s GT-series in terms of display quality.

The frame of the watch is made of stainless steel, adding durability and style. It has proven to resist scratches well during daily use. The buttons feel crisp, and the rotating crown is useful for scrolling and quick access to menus.

Setting up the Xiaomi Watch S4 is a standard process for modern wearables. The watch is compatible with both Android (8.0 and above) and iOS (12.0 and above) devices. Users need to download the Mi Fitness app from their respective app store to pair the watch with their smartphone via Bluetooth. Once connected, users can customize settings, watch faces, and notification preferences directly from the app.

The Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm comes packed with features for health tracking, including an upgraded heart rate sensor, SpO2 monitoring, and skin temperature monitoring. The accuracy of these features has been reliable in my testing, and the watch also offers female cycle prediction based on skin temperature data. The sleep tracking is solid, with staging similar to other top brands, and it provides a 21-day guided sleep plan for forming better habits.

Overall, the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm is a well-designed and feature-packed smartwatch that offers excellent value for its price point. The stress tracking results were found to be similar to competitor watches, often linked to heart rate and movement patterns. The Xiaomi watch provides detailed information on sleep stages and offers a sleep improvement plan over 7 days. In terms of fitness tracking, the Xiaomi watch locked onto GPS faster compared to my Garmin watch, likely due to its dual-band 5-system GNSS. Even in areas with tall buildings where GPS usually struggles, the watch maintained accurate tracking. The fitness tracking was excellent, with GPS tracks aligning well with Garmin and accurate heart rate monitoring. The watch provides useful metrics during activities such as elevation gain/loss, cadence, stride length, training effect, and VO2 Max estimates. However, it lacks advanced metrics like running power and cycling power found in more expensive brands.

Auto-detection for workouts is reliable, and the swimming mode tracks laps, stroke type, and SWOLF scores. The watch seamlessly exports data to Strava, Suunto, and Health Connect for easy management of fitness data.

The HyperOS interface is clean and responsive, with intuitive navigation using the rotating crown. Notifications work well with both Android and iPhone, and music controls allow for easy playback control on your connected phone. The watch faces are also customizable, adding a personal touch to the device. The Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm offers a variety of customizable watch faces, from simple analog designs to complex digital faces packed with information. The interactive Pet Park watch face adds a fun touch, allowing you to raise a virtual pet that moves around your watch face.

Weather information is displayed clearly, pulling data from your phone to provide current conditions and a multi-day forecast. The compass and flashlight functions work reliably, making it easy to find your way and illuminate dark areas when needed.

In terms of battery life, the 41mm model has a smaller capacity compared to the standard 47mm model. Xiaomi claims the 41mm model can achieve 8 days for light usage, 4 days for normal use, and 3 days for heavy use. In real-world usage, I got around 4 days with slightly heavier usage.

The Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm is competitively priced at £120, offering a stylish and compact alternative to larger smartwatches. While it may not have all the advanced fitness metrics of more expensive models, it provides solid fitness tracking, accurate GPS, heart rate monitoring, and useful health monitoring features.

Overall, the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm is a good value for those looking for a capable fitness tracker with smartwatch features at an affordable price. It may not replace a dedicated sports watch for serious athletes, but it offers a balance of design, features, and price that makes it a sensible choice for many users. The design of this wearable device is ideal for individuals with smaller wrists, offering accurate GPS and heart rate tracking capabilities. However, it does have a shorter battery life compared to its larger counterpart. While it may not replace a high-end sports watch, it is a great option for casual fitness enthusiasts or those looking for a stylish wearable at an affordable price.

Pros:
– The device boasts a compact, lightweight, and premium stainless steel design.
– It features accurate dual-band GNSS technology with quick GPS lock.
– It offers reliable health and sleep tracking features.
– The product provides good value for money.

Cons:
– The battery life is shorter than that of the larger model.
– It lacks advanced fitness metrics.
– It does not have third-party app support compared to WearO.

About the Author:
James is a tech enthusiast based in the UK and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget since 2007. With a passion for technology, his expertise ranges from computers and networking to mobile devices, wearables, and smart home technology. As a fitness enthusiast who enjoys running and cycling, James also has a keen interest in fitness-related technology, which he covers on his blog. With a background in Information Systems Design and Computing, including Cisco CCNA accreditation, James is dedicated to staying ahead of the technology curve. Vuelio consistently ranks Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK.

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