The smartwatch market is booming, and two contenders consistently vying for attention are the Xiaomi Watch S2 and the Huawei Watch GT 3. Both offer stylish designs, comprehensive health tracking, and wireless charging, but which one truly reigns supreme? This in-depth comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Watch GT 3 edges out the Xiaomi Watch S2 thanks to its superior battery life and more refined software experience. However, the Xiaomi Watch S2 boasts a more premium design and slightly more advanced health tracking features, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing aesthetics and specific fitness metrics.
| 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, December 11 | 2021, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 11 | Available. Released 2021, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, stainless steel frame | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46 x 46 x 10.7 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 in) | 45.9 x 45.9 x 11 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | - | 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 | - | 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, thermometer (skin temperature), body composition (BMI) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 500 mAh | Li-Po 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Light Gold | Black, Steel, Gold |
| Models | - | MIL-B19 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Xiaomi Watch S2
- Premium design and build quality
- Wear OS offers app compatibility
- Detailed sleep tracking
- Wide selection of watch faces
- NFC for contactless payments
- Shorter battery life
- Occasional performance lag
- Wear OS can be resource-intensive
Huawei Watch GT 3
- Exceptional battery life (7-10 days)
- Smooth and responsive HarmonyOS
- Excellent fitness tracking features
- Stylish and comfortable design
- Seamless Android integration
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS
- HarmonyOS can feel restrictive to some users
- Less customizable watch faces
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Huawei Watch GT 3's display is slightly brighter and more easily visible in direct sunlight. The Xiaomi Watch S2 offers a wider selection of customizable watch faces, providing more personalization options.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches of this type.
Performance
The Huawei Watch GT 3 generally offers smoother performance and quicker app loading times due to its optimized HarmonyOS. The Xiaomi Watch S2, running Wear OS, can occasionally experience slight lag, particularly with third-party apps.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch GT 3 significantly outperforms the Xiaomi Watch S2 in battery life. The GT 3 can easily last 7-10 days on a single charge, while the S2 typically requires charging every 2-3 days with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Watch S2? Users who value a premium design, appreciate a wider range of watch faces, and want detailed sleep tracking. Who should buy the Huawei Watch GT 3? Those prioritizing long battery life, seamless integration with Android devices, and a more polished, user-friendly interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which smartwatch is better for fitness tracking?
Both offer comprehensive fitness tracking, but the Huawei Watch GT 3 excels with its TruTrack™ technology and accurate heart rate monitoring. The Xiaomi Watch S2 provides detailed sleep tracking.
❓ Can I install third-party apps on both watches?
Yes, the Xiaomi Watch S2, running Wear OS, supports a wide range of third-party apps. The Huawei Watch GT 3's app ecosystem is more limited due to HarmonyOS.
