The smartwatch market is booming, offering a plethora of options for fitness tracking, notifications, and more. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the vivo Watch 2 and the Xiaomi Mi 3. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which one emerges as the victor.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 3 offers a more robust feature set, including a camera and a powerful chipset, alongside impressive battery life. The vivo Watch 2 prioritizes a sleek design and wireless charging, but lacks some of the Mi 3's versatility. For overall value and features, the Mi 3 takes the edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 22 | 2013, September. Released 2013, December |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 29 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, stainless steel frame 316L | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 46.4 x 46.4 x 11 mm (1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in) | 144 x 73.6 x 8.1 mm (5.67 x 2.90 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 47 g (1.66 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | 5ATM water resistant
50m water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow), MIUI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 2GB | 16GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | No | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, altimeter, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | - | Up to 50 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 500 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 25 h |
| Type | - | Li-Ion 3050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Brown, Silver | White, Gray, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Gold, Green |
| Models | WA2156A | - |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.5dB / Crosstalk -44.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 907 (nominal), 2.001 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB |
vivo Watch 2
- Sleek and modern design
- Convenient wireless charging
- Focus on health tracking features
- Likely AMOLED display
- Shorter battery life (estimated)
- No camera
- Less powerful processor
- Limited app ecosystem (potentially)
Xiaomi Mi 3
- Excellent battery life (66h endurance)
- Powerful Snapdragon 800 chipset
- Integrated camera
- High contrast display
- Good value for money
- Older model
- Design may feel dated compared to newer smartwatches
- Potentially LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
Display Comparison
Both devices boast impressive contrast ratios (907 nominal, 2001 in sunlight), suggesting excellent visibility even in bright conditions. However, the vivo Watch 2 likely has a more modern display technology (AMOLED vs. potentially LCD on the Mi 3), potentially offering richer colors and deeper blacks. The Mi 3's display is known for its sunlight readability, a key advantage.
Camera Comparison
A key differentiator is the Xiaomi Mi 3's inclusion of a camera, a feature absent in the vivo Watch 2. While the Mi 3's camera isn't flagship quality, it offers a convenient way to capture quick photos or videos. The vivo Watch 2 focuses on health tracking sensors instead.
Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 3's Qualcomm MSM8274AB Snapdragon 800 chipset and quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU provide significantly more processing power than the vivo Watch 2's likely proprietary chipset. This translates to smoother performance, faster app loading, and better multitasking capabilities on the Mi 3. The vivo Watch 2 will likely be sufficient for basic smartwatch functions.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Mi 3 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 66 hours. The vivo Watch 2, with its 10W wireless charging, likely offers a shorter battery life, though wireless charging provides added convenience. Exact battery capacity is unavailable for the vivo Watch 2, but it's safe to assume it's lower than the Mi 3.
Buying Guide
The vivo Watch 2 is ideal for users prioritizing a stylish design, convenient wireless charging, and a focus on health tracking. The Xiaomi Mi 3 is a better choice for those seeking a feature-rich smartwatch with a camera, strong performance, and extended battery life, even if it's slightly older.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo Watch 2 waterproof?
While specific waterproofing details vary, vivo watches generally offer at least 5ATM water resistance, suitable for swimming.
❓ Can I install apps on the Xiaomi Mi 3?
Yes, the Xiaomi Mi 3 supports a range of apps through its operating system, although the app selection may be more limited compared to newer smartwatches.
