Xiaomi, continues its offensive on the market for connected watches with the Watch S4. Succeeding a Watch S3 already welcomed, this new iteration arrives on the French market with sharpened arguments: a customizable design to envy thanks to its interchangeable glasses, an Amoled screen announced as ultra-luminous, and marathonian autonomy. Offered below 170 euros, it clearly aims to democratize an experience perceived as premium. But behind this attractive technical sheet and this aggressive tariff positioning, is the Watch S4 really the good deal that it seems to be? We sift it.
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Customizable design sound
This is the signature functionality of this Watch S4, inherited from the S3 but here refined. The concept is simple, but still as effective with its removable telescope. It can be unclipped by turning it and replacing it with another in a few seconds beyond the black, silver and rainbow versions provided basic, Xiaomi offers the purchase of glasses with various styles: two-color ceramics with GMT function, forged carbon with compass integrated into the exclusive dial, or even wood engraved with laser.
It is not just cosmetics: some glasses activate specific dials and associated functionalities, linking appearance to use.
Added to compatibility with any 22mm standard bracelet, this offers an impressive personalization capacity at this Price, allowing you to adapt your watch to your style or activities of the day. The aluminum alloy case, although less noble than steel, has a good quality of construction and a successful brilliant appearance.
Its light amoled screen
Xiaomi did not skimp on the quality of the display. The 1.43 inch Amoled slab offers bright colors and deep blacks, characteristic of this technology. Its definition of 466 × 466 pixels (326 ppi) ensures good finesse, but it is above all its brightness that impresses: with a HBM (high light) mode at 1500 nits, it is a spectacular improvement compared to the 600 nits of the S3. Concretely, the screen remains perfectly readable, even in full sun, which is appreciable comfort on a daily basis the fluidity at 60 Hz is correct and the function “Always-on Display” allows you to keep the time visible, although it reduces autonomy.
Its really solid autonomy
Xiaomi highlights endurance of up to 15 days. Let’s be clear: in reality, with mixed use including continuous monitoring of health, notifications and some sports sessions, it is difficult to reach this figure. However, it is possible to obtain an autonomy oscillating between 5 days (with the Always-ON activated screen and intensive use) and 10 days (being more moderate). If the gap with the promise is notable, this performance remains very good, even excellent, for a connected watch in this category. It easily outperforms most of the models under Wear OS and is loaded using a magnetic charging station with two pin. It takes approximately 1:15 to refuel, but the fast load function allows you to quickly regain energy.
Its essential and rather reliable health monitoring
The Watch S4 takes on the expected sensors: heart rate (PPG), oxygen saturation (SPO2), accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer. It ensures continuous monitoring (up to 24/7) of heart rate, SPO2 and stress level. Sleep analysis is also there, decomposing the phases.
Rather well provided, the watch turns out to be fairly precise with regard to monitoring of heart rate and sleep analysis. The Mi Fitness application, although simple, presents the data clearly and allows synchronization with Strava or Suunto.
Its fluid interface and improved navigation
The watch turns under Hyperos 2, Xiaomi’s house system. The user experience is generally pleasant, fluid and reactive while adding a rotary crown, in addition to the touch screen and the side button, facilitates navigation in menus and widgets. We also appreciate the interface customization options, such as configurable widgets or various postings for the list of applications.
Its value for money
It is undeniably one of the biggest assets of Xiaomi, and the Watch S4 is no exception to the rule. Launched around 160-170 euros, it offers a set of features and a perceived manufacturing quality which challenge a good part of the competition in this segment. Faced with often more expensive alternatives, it manages to integrate technologies such as a very bright AMOLED screen, a double frequency GPS (on paper) and a modular design, all without exploding the bill.
Its Bluetooth call function, always practical
Thanks to its two integrated microphones and its speaker, the Watch S4 allows you to make and receive calls directly from the wrist, as long as it is connected to the smartphone. It is a practical function to answer quickly without taking out your phone, even if it remains gadget. You have to favor a calm place to really enjoy it.
I discover the Xiaomi Watch S4
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His sometimes capricious GPS
It is potentially the biggest black point. On paper, the Watch S4 goes upmarket with a double frequency GNSS chip (L1+L5), compatible with all major satellite systems (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou, Qzss). This technology is supposed to offer increased precision, especially in the city. Unfortunately, the watch disappoints on this last point and tends to produce fanciful routes by cutting through buildings or deviating from the real path. For athletes who count on a reliable location for their running, cycling or hiking outings, it is a major defect that can call into question the interest of the watch. Nevertheless, the Watch S4 is first of all a lifestyle watch and this problem dissipates as soon as we treat the city.
Historous athletes or data geeks will also be able to regret the lack of advanced metrics or thinner analyzes of performance. The connection to Strava/Suunto can overcome this in part.
Its properly proper application ecosystem
The choice of Hyperos 2, if he benefits autonomy, has an important counterpart: the impossibility of installing third -party applications. Forget the abundant catalog of the Google Play Store (Wear OS) or the App Store (Watchos), the user is limited to the thirty applications pre-embarked by Xiaomi. This positions the Watch S4 more as a very advanced activity tracker than a real platform.
His NFC chip… almost without payment function in France
The watch integrates a NFC chip and theoretically supports Xiaomi Pay with Mastercard and Visa. However, its practical utility in France is close to zero. Large French banks are not Xiaomi Pay partners. Only a few niche players like Curve or Zen.com are listed for Europe. In short, do not Buy this watch if contactless payment is an important criterion for you in France … unless you are a customer in curve or zen establishments.
I discover the Xiaomi Watch S4
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