The smartwatch market is booming, offering a wide range of options for fitness tracking, notifications, and more. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2 Lite and the premium Apple Watch Series 8. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear winner for those seeking a premium experience with advanced features, seamless iOS integration, and robust health tracking. However, the Redmi Watch 2 Lite offers incredible value for budget-conscious users prioritizing basic fitness tracking and notifications.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | No | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 01 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 11 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic back, plastic frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 41.2 x 35.3 x 10.7 mm (1.62 x 1.39 x 0.42 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 35 g (1.23 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | Waterproof (5ATM)
50m water resistant | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 320 pixels (~311 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.55 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | TFT LCD | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S8 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | Proprietary OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, gyro, compass, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 262 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Ivory | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | - | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2 Lite
- Exceptional value for money
- Long battery life (up to 12 days)
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Basic fitness tracking features
- Less vibrant display
- Limited app ecosystem
- Less powerful processor
- Fewer advanced health features
Apple Watch Series 8
- Premium design and build quality
- Vibrant always-on Retina display
- Seamless iOS integration
- Advanced health tracking (ECG, blood oxygen)
- Extensive app ecosystem
- High price
- Shorter battery life (around 18 hours)
- Limited compatibility with Android
- Requires an iPhone
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a vibrant, always-on Retina display with excellent brightness and resolution, making it easy to read in all conditions. The Redmi Watch 2 Lite features a smaller, less vibrant color display, suitable for basic information but not as visually appealing. Apple's display is significantly more refined.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches, and users typically rely on their smartphones for photography.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 8, powered by the S8 chip, delivers incredibly smooth and responsive performance. App loading is fast, and navigation is fluid. The Redmi Watch 2 Lite, with its likely less powerful processor, offers adequate performance for basic functions but may experience occasional lag. Apple's performance is in a different league.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers around 18 hours of battery life with typical use, and can charge to 80% in 45 minutes. The Redmi Watch 2 Lite, due to its smaller screen and less demanding features, typically provides significantly longer battery life, often lasting up to 10-12 days on a single charge. The Redmi Watch 2 Lite wins on longevity.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Watch 2 Lite is ideal for first-time smartwatch buyers, fitness enthusiasts on a budget, or those primarily seeking basic notification and activity tracking. The Apple Watch Series 8 is perfect for iPhone users wanting a premium smartwatch experience with advanced health features, cellular connectivity, and a vast app ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Watch 2 Lite compatible with iPhones?
While it can connect via Bluetooth, the Redmi Watch 2 Lite offers a significantly reduced feature set when paired with an iPhone compared to the Apple Watch Series 8. iOS integration is limited.
❓ Does the Apple Watch Series 8 require an iPhone?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 is designed to work exclusively with iPhones. It cannot be paired with Android devices.
