Xiaomi Watch S5 41mm: 36g, 3000-nit screen, 14-day battery — at a fraction of Apple Watch's price
Xiaomi has launched the Watch S5 41mm, a compact smartwatch that starts at £150 in the UK — less than half the £399 price of Apple Watch Series 12. It weighs just 36 grams, peaks at 3,000 nits of display brightness, and Xiaomi claims a 14-day battery life. For anyone put off by bulky or expensive wearables, this is worth a look.
The hardware
The watch has a 1.32-inch screen and a 9.9mm-thick case. That 3,000-nit brightness is double what the previous Watch S4 offered (1,500 nits), making it significantly more readable outdoors. Xiaomi says the battery capacity has grown 84% over the last generation — that's what gets you to the 14-day figure, though the larger Watch S5 46mm claims 21 days, so the smaller cell is the trade-off for the slimmer chassis.
The standout variant is the transparent edition, built with Xiaomi's octagonal Dragon Crystal glass case. The design shows off internal construction details behind the screen, with a brushed stainless steel insert inside. It's the same transparent aesthetic Xiaomi has pushed across its new phone lineup. That version costs $375 (around £295), while the standard fluoroelastomer-strap model starts at $195 (around £150) and a leather-strap version sits at $225.
Sensors and software
Health tracking includes a new optical sensor for heart rate and blood oxygen, paired with a Heart Rate 2.0 algorithm. Three temperature sensors run continuously for women's health features — cycle and ovulation prediction — with workout recommendations that adapt to each phase. The watch supports over 150 sport modes and runs HyperOS 4, Xiaomi's latest software platform.
A safety feature lets you triple-press the side button to call an emergency contact and send your precise location. On the lighter side, four virtual pets live on the watch face and react to weather, stress levels, and activity — close your activity rings five days in a row and you unlock extra animations.
Xiaomi Watch S5 41mm health and activity tracking interface.
Availability
UK pricing is confirmed at £150 for the standard model, with the transparent variant at around £169–£179, per T3 Review. The watch launched September 22, 2026. US availability is not officially listed — Xiaomi's US site does not carry the Watch S5, consistent with the brand's limited North American presence.
Xiaomi already overtook Apple in global wearables market share in 2025. The Watch S5 41mm, previewed alongside the Watch S5 41mm announcement in September, shows the brand continuing to compete on specs-per-pound rather than ecosystem depth. If you're outside the Apple or Google/Samsung orbit and want a long-lasting, lightweight watch, this has a strong case on paper.
Xiaomi Watch S5 41mm colour options and strap variants.
