The smartwatch market is booming, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active and the Huawei Watch GT 3. Both offer a blend of fitness tracking, smart features, and stylish design, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Watch GT 3 edges out the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active thanks to its superior battery life and established health tracking features. While the S1 Active might offer a slightly more modern aesthetic, the GT 3's reliability and wireless charging make it a stronger overall choice for most users.
| 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 | 2022, March 15 | 2021, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 24 | Available. Released 2021, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46.5 x 47.3 x 11 mm (1.83 x 1.86 x 0.43 in) | 45.9 x 45.9 x 11 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 36 (1.27 oz) | 35 g (42mm) / 42.6 g (46mm) (1.23 oz) |
| | Waterproof (5ATM) | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps (46mm model), 20mm straps (42mm model) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| OS | Proprietary OS | HarmonyOS 2.0, upgradable to 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified storage | 4GB 32MB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, LE, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 470 mAh | Li-Po 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moon White, Space Black, Ocean Blue | Black, Steel, Gold |
| Models | - | MIL-B19 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Xiaomi Watch S1 Active
- Sleek, sporty design
- Competitive price
- Good fitness tracking features
- Customizable watch faces
- Shorter battery life
- Potentially less consistent performance
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS
Huawei Watch GT 3
- Excellent battery life (up to 14+ days)
- Wireless charging
- Comprehensive health monitoring (ECG, SpO2)
- Premium build quality
- Smooth performance
- HarmonyOS app ecosystem is smaller
- Design might be considered more traditional
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both watches feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and sharp details. The Huawei Watch GT 3 typically has slightly better outdoor visibility due to its screen coating. The Xiaomi S1 Active may offer a more customizable watch face ecosystem.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch boasts a high-quality camera. Both are primarily for remote shutter control for your smartphone camera, not for standalone photography. Image quality will be comparable and not a deciding factor.
Performance
The Huawei Watch GT 3 generally provides smoother performance and quicker app loading times, likely due to Huawei's optimized HarmonyOS. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active's performance can be slightly less consistent, particularly with more demanding apps.
Battery Life
This is where the Huawei Watch GT 3 truly shines. It consistently delivers significantly longer battery life (often exceeding 14 days) compared to the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active (typically 7-10 days). Wireless charging on the GT 3 is also a convenient bonus.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active is ideal for users prioritizing a sleek, sporty design and a more budget-friendly price point. The Huawei Watch GT 3 is best suited for those seeking long battery life, comprehensive health monitoring, and a premium feel with wireless charging convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which watch is better for fitness tracking?
The Huawei Watch GT 3 offers more comprehensive health monitoring features, including ECG and SpO2 tracking. Both provide standard fitness tracking, but the GT 3 has an edge.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active have Google Play Store access?
No, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active uses Xiaomi's own operating system, which has a limited app selection compared to Wear OS or HarmonyOS.
