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Published on April 6th, 2026 | by Andrew Bistak

Xiaomi Watch 5 Review

The new Xiaomi Watch 5 arrives in Australia as one of the newest Wear OS by Google‑enabled smartwatches, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, all housed in a classic‑looking timepiece. Best of all, it looks and feels like a premium device and for the most part it delivers on that promise. Before we jump into the review (and yes, the device will also let you know when it’s time to move), let’s check out the standout features of the Xiaomi Watch 5.

Top 10 Features of the Xiaomi Watch 5

1. Advanced Gesture Controls (EMG + IMU + PPG)
   The watch recognises precise hand and finger movements, letting you pinch, rub, snap or rotate your wrist to answer calls, snooze alarms, take photos, open apps or trigger workouts without touching the screen.
2. One‑Tap Health Assessment
   A single tap gives you an instant overview of heart rate, blood oxygen, stress and other key metrics using Xiaomi’s high‑precision 4‑LED + 4‑PD sensor sys
3. 150+ Sports Modes
   Supports a huge range of activities with accurate heart rate and calorie tracking
4. 3D Workout Guidance
   Animated on‑screen demonstrations help you follow exercises correctly, making the watch useful for beginners and experienced users alike.
5. Dual‑Frequency L1 + L5 GNSS With Offline Maps
   Accurate positioning, route navigation, track‑back and offline vector maps ensure you can explore confidently even without a phone signal.
6. Xiaomi HyperConnect + Smart Hub Control
   Use the watch as a remote camera viewfinder or control Xiaomi smart home devices directly from your wrist.
7. Massive 930mAh Silicon‑Carbon Battery
   The largest battery Xiaomi has ever used in a smartwatch delivers up to six days in smart mode and up to eighteen days in power‑saving mode.
8. Dual‑Chip Architecture
   The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 and BES2800BP co‑processor work together to balance performance and efficiency for smoother operation and longer battery life.
9. Wear OS With Full Google Integration
   Google Maps, Google Wallet, Google Calendar, Google Play and Google Gemini all run directly on the watch for a complete smartwatch experience.
10. Premium Sapphire‑Glass and Stainless‑Steel Design
    Double‑sided sapphire glass and a 316L stainless steel case give the watch a refined, durable and versatile look that suits casual wear, workouts and formal events.

This 47mm smartwatch with its thin 2.6mm bezel is available for $419 AUD (April 2026) via https://www.mi.com/au/product/xiaomi-watch-5 and comes in two colours: Juniper Green or Black (reviewed).

Unboxing Gallery

As you can see from the above images, the Xiaomi Watch 5 looks like a traditional timepiece rather than a tech gadget and the 316L stainless steel (high‑temperature‑resistant, corrosion‑resistant, non‑magnetic) case adds a premium feel. Despite its solid build (56 grams), it is comfortable to wear. Further, the curved underside and balanced weight distribution make it easy to wear all day, whether you are heading out casually, working out or attending a formal event. It blends into any setting without drawing unnecessary attention — something not many Wear OS watches manage to achieve. No geek‑chic here!

To set up this smartwatch, you need to download the Xiaomi Mi Fitness app and I love how new Android phones automatically detect the watch to commence the process. The setup wizard is simple enough, but the pairing process was far from smooth, as Android connectivity can be unpredictable at times. Unlike the Apple Watch, which tends to pair without fuss, I found myself dealing with repeated resets and app reinstall(s) before my Google Pixel 9 finally paired with the Watch 5. Once paired, there were no issues moving forward.

The Xiaomi Watch 5 is a well‑rounded smartwatch with a deep set of health and fitness features, all housed in an eye‑catching timepiece. It’s fast thanks to its Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor with 2GB of RAM, has a generous amount of storage and its 1.54‑inch AMOLED panel with 1500 nits is a display you can rely on. While the setup process was frustrating for me, once connected the watch performed very well and with the integration of Google services, it becomes an affordable option for those looking at the Wear OS ecosystem. In essence, the Xiaomi Watch 5 is an extension of your smartphone and your life — though some tweaking will be needed to maximise battery life.

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The Mi Fitness app is one of the better options available, with its streamlined UI that provides a clear snapshot of your daily activity, including calories burned, steps taken, movement reminders, sleep, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, weight, stress and a vitality score. Xiaomi also includes three months of Spotify Premium, which is a welcome bonus — especially for music lovers or podcast listeners who want to leave their smartphone behind, which is perfect for runners.

Speaking of sports, the Xiaomi Watch 5 supports 150+ sports modes, covering everything from walking, running and cycling to swimming, rowing, elliptical training, hiking, strength training, yoga, Pilates, HIIT, tennis and indoor cycling, to name a few. Each activity benefits from heart‑rate monitoring and real‑time calorie tracking, powered by Xiaomi’s upgraded sensor system. The watch also syncs through Google Health Connect, allowing your training data to flow seamlessly into platforms such as Strava. The watch also supports all‑day heart‑rate monitoring, with alerts for high and low readings.

Because the watch runs Wear OS by Google, you can download apps directly to the device and enjoy seamless access to Google services. Google Gemini is built into the watch, allowing you to speak naturally to get answers, complete tasks or recall important details. Google Wallet lets you tap to pay or access loyalty cards and transit passes, while Google Maps provides navigation and transit information on your wrist.

You also get Google Calendar for quick schedule checks and Google Play for browsing apps or changing your watch face without needing your phone. Additionally, you can control media, TVs and even use the Watch 5 to take photos via your phone. Here is the full list of pre‑installed apps on the smartwatch:

The display of the Xiaomi Watch 5 is one of the watch’s strongest features, thanks to the 1.54‑inch AMOLED panel, which is sharp and clear and offers a kaleidoscope of bright colours. It also has a peak brightness of 1500 nits (though this will drain the battery faster at maximum brightness), making it easy to read outdoors and the 480 × 480 resolution keeps text and graphics crisp. The double‑sided sapphire glass with a Mohs hardness of 9 provides excellent durability to protect it from those accidental knocks and bumps.

Navigation is handled through the rotating crown, the side button (both located on the right) and the responsive touchscreen. The interface is smooth and the watch includes one‑tap health assessments that make it easy to check your vitals quickly. Xiaomi’s high‑precision monitoring system with four LEDs and four PDs delivers continuous health tracking and clear insights in the app.

Xiaomi also states that the watch can last up to four days in AOD (Always on Display), six days in Smart Mode or eighteen days in power saving mode, although the display becomes noticeably dull in that mode as the brightness drops. The battery itself is a 930mAh Xiaomi Surge Battery with ten percent silicon carbon content, making it the largest battery ever used in a Xiaomi smartwatch. The dual chip architecture, combining the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 with the BES2800BP, allows the watch to switch intelligently between chips to balance performance and efficiency.

Battery life was a mixed experience for me. With full features enabled, the watch drains faster than expected and the solution is to disable some of the more demanding functions. Xiaomi claims up to six days in Smart Mode (the middle ground) and with a few features turned off I managed around four days. While not a deal‑breaker, it does require some trial and error. When charging, it comes with a proprietary magnetic pogo‑pin charging dock, as opposed to using Qi wireless charging.

Location tracking is handled by a five system L1 plus L5 dual frequency GNSS module that improves accuracy and reduces interference. The watch also supports offline maps with full colour vector graphics that transfer quickly due to their small file size. Route navigation, track back navigation and route deviation alerts ensure you always know where you are, even without a phone signal.

Another clever feature of the Xiaomi Watch 5 is its gesture control system. The watch uses EMG, PPG and IMU sensors to recognise precise hand and finger movements, including monitoring muscle fatigue and recovery status. Pinching twice can hang up a call, snooze an alarm, take a photo remotely or start and stop a timer. Rubbing twice can turn off an alarm. These gestures work reliably and add a layer of convenience that quickly becomes second nature. Xiaomi has also introduced custom gestures that use IMU and PPG sensors to expand functionality. You can snap your fingers to start a workout, shake your wrist twice to open mail or rotate your wrist twice to open your wallet. These gestures can be personalised to launch apps, start workouts or control smart devices.

Final Thoughts

The Xiaomi Watch 5 is a well‑rounded smartwatch with a deep set of health and fitness features, all housed in an eye‑catching timepiece. It’s fast thanks to its Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor with 2GB of RAM, has a generous amount of storage and its 1.54‑inch AMOLED panel with 1500 nits is a display you can rely on. While the setup process was frustrating for me, once connected the watch performed very well and with the integration of Google services, it becomes an affordable option for those looking at the Wear OS ecosystem. In essence, the Xiaomi Watch 5 is an extension of your smartphone and your life — though some tweaking will be needed to maximise battery life.

About the Author

Andrew Bistak When he's not trying to save the world, Andrew enjoys travel (although loathes turbulence), going to the movies, reading and being a dad to his two dogs (and now twins) with his wife.

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