The smartwatch market is flooded with options, but finding the right balance between features, style, and price can be challenging. The Huawei Watch Fit mini and Xiaomi Watch S1 Active both aim to deliver a compelling experience, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Fit mini emphasizes a compact, fashionable design, while the S1 Active leans towards a more traditional sports watch aesthetic with a broader feature set. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which one is the better fit for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing style and all-day comfort, the Huawei Watch Fit mini offers a compelling package. However, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active wins for users who demand more advanced fitness tracking features, including built-in GPS and a larger display, despite a bulkier form factor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Speed | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 27 | 2022, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 27 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 51.5 x 25.9 x 11 mm (2.03 x 1.02 x 0.43 in) | 46.5 x 47.3 x 11 mm (1.83 x 1.86 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 20 g (0.71 oz) | 36 (1.27 oz) |
| | 5ATM/ 50m water resistant | Waterproof (5ATM) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 368 x 194 pixels (~282 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.47 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| OS | Huawei Lite OS | Proprietary OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | Unspecified storage |
| | eMMC | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 180 mAh | Li-Po 470 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Moon White, Space Black, Ocean Blue |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 80 EUR |
Huawei Watch Fit mini
- Ultra-lightweight and comfortable design
- Stylish and fashionable aesthetic
- Potentially longer battery life
- Likely lacks built-in GPS
- Smaller display may limit data visibility
Xiaomi Watch S1 Active
- Built-in GPS for accurate workout tracking
- Larger, more detailed display
- Wider range of sports modes
- Bulkier and heavier design
- Potentially shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Given the lack of specific display specs, we can infer differences based on design. The Huawei Watch Fit mini’s marketing emphasizes its compact size, suggesting a smaller AMOLED display, likely around 1.64 inches, optimized for glanceable notifications. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active, with its more traditional watch design, likely features a larger 1.47-inch AMOLED display, potentially offering more space for data visualization during workouts. While both are likely AMOLED for vibrant colors and good outdoor visibility, the S1 Active’s larger size will likely translate to a more immersive viewing experience. Bezels are likely minimal on both, given current design trends, but the S1 Active’s larger screen may allow for slightly wider bezels.
Camera Comparison
Neither device features a camera, focusing instead on core smartwatch functionality. This is a common trend in modern smartwatches, prioritizing battery life and form factor over camera integration.
Performance
Without chipset details, we must rely on brand positioning. Huawei typically uses proprietary Kirin or HiSilicon chips in its wearables, optimized for power efficiency. Xiaomi often utilizes chips from Qualcomm or MediaTek. The S1 Active, being positioned as a more 'active' watch, likely has a slightly more powerful processor to handle GPS tracking and more complex workout data processing. However, both devices will likely prioritize efficiency over raw performance, aiming for multi-day battery life. RAM capacity is also unknown, but both will likely have sufficient RAM for their respective feature sets – the S1 Active potentially needing slightly more for its GPS and advanced tracking.
Battery Life
Battery life is a key differentiator. The Huawei Watch Fit mini, with its smaller size and likely less power-hungry chipset, is advertised with a longer battery life – potentially up to 10 days with typical use. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active, with its larger display, GPS, and more powerful processor, will likely offer around 7-8 days of battery life. Charging times are also unknown, but the S1 Active may support faster charging due to its higher power demands. The trade-off is clear: longer battery life with the Fit mini versus more features with the S1 Active.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch Fit mini if you need a lightweight, stylish smartwatch that seamlessly blends into your daily life and prioritizes comfort and basic fitness tracking. It’s ideal for users who want notifications and activity monitoring without the bulk of a traditional sports watch. Buy the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active if you prefer a more robust fitness tracker with built-in GPS for accurate workout tracking, a larger, more detailed display, and a wider range of sports modes, even if it means sacrificing some of the Fit mini’s sleekness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active's GPS significantly impact battery life?
Yes, utilizing the built-in GPS for workout tracking will noticeably reduce battery life on the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active. Expect a reduction of 20-30% in battery life during GPS-intensive activities. However, the accuracy of GPS tracking is a significant benefit for runners and cyclists.
❓ Is the Huawei Watch Fit mini suitable for swimming?
While the Huawei Watch Fit mini is likely water-resistant, its specific water resistance rating is unknown. It's likely suitable for shallow water activities like showering or swimming in a pool, but it's not recommended for high-intensity water sports or diving. Always check the official specifications for the exact water resistance rating.
❓ Can I respond to notifications directly on either watch?
Both the Huawei Watch Fit mini and Xiaomi Watch S1 Active are expected to display notifications from your smartphone. However, the ability to *respond* to notifications directly on the watch may be limited or unavailable, depending on the connected smartphone's operating system and the watch's software capabilities. Expect basic notification viewing, but complex replies may require using your phone.
