The new Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm has arrived in the Philippines with a price tag of Php 8,999. Offering useful features and functions, the smartwatch aims to be more than just stylish eye candy on your wrist.
Design and Build Quality
The Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm has a stainless steel frame that weighs approximately 32g. On my wrist, the 1.32-inch AMOLED display looks and feels larger than my personal smartwatch, but it doesn’t feel heavy or bothersome.
Though lightweight, the watch body has heft to it, so there is a sense of strength and durability. This is very good for clumsy folks like me, who have a tendency to bump into or drop things. This watch has gone through a bit of roughness in 12 days I’ve worn it, especially when I took it on my trip to Japan.
There are two tactile buttons on the right side of the watch. The rotating crown offers a nostalgic classic watch feel, while the lower physical button provides additional functionalities.
The 1.32-inch AMOLED screen is bright, with a peak brightness of up to 1500 nits and a 60Hz refresh rate. This ensures sharpness, making it easy to see information on the watch face, even in low-light conditions. And if you’re sensitive to light, the brightness can be adjusted to suit your preference.
Performance and Features
In the 12 days I’ve used the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm, I didn’t really have any complaints. Setup was easy, with pairing to the Mi Fitness app taking only a few minutes of my time. After that, I spent around 5-10 minutes adjusting the settings to make sure my preferences were set.
Some of the features I used daily such as heart rate monitoring, steps taken, calories burned, sleep quality tracking, and weather reports, were easily accessible with just a swipe on the watch screen.
As a sedentary person, I wasn’t able to use the workout functions at all. However, the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm offers over 150 sports modes, so it’s definitely a smartwatch suitable for someone with a more active lifestyle.
My favorite functions include the stress management features, which show how stressed you are over time. You can easily manage this through the smartwatch’s built-in “breathing exercise” feature. Another favorite is the skin temperature feature, which is very useful, especially for someone like me who got sick during my Japan trip.
It’s also very convenient to use the watch as a remote camera trigger. But I think this only works if you have it paired with a Xiaomi smartphone.
Battery Life and Charging Dock
With a battery capacity of 320mAh, the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm offers up to four days of battery life with normal usage. This can stretch to eight days with light usage and shorten to three days when used heavily.
If I recall correctly, I charged the watch three times in 12 days. I didn’t use it for any kind of workout; I only used it to check the time, weather, and take calls, so it was somewhat normal usage. So the battery life lives up to its claim.
I have to say that the charging dock for the watch feels quite outdated. In a world of smartwatches that use USB-C type cables, seeing one still using USB-A is surprising. I think that’s my only gripe.
Customizable Style and Function
I think what I like the most about the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm is the personalization it offers its users.
Hardware-wise, there are several color options for both the watch body and the strap. Software-wise, there are many stock watch faces to choose from, plus the layout of your apps and functions can be customized for your convenience.
At Php 8,999, with all the features that the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm has to offer, plus the elegant look of its face and frame, it’s something to consider if you have the budget, especially if you’re the type who enjoys the combination of aesthetics with functionality.
Luie Magbanua is your friendly neighborhood gamer tita. Follow her tech and gaming adventures online at @omgluie!
