With a 500 mAh battery life the Watch S1 Pro solves one of the common problems of smartwatches, which is the constant need to recharge.
The Darwinism of timepieces
The history of horology and why it’s smart to own a smartwatch these days
Apr 27, 2023 03:20 PM
At a glance
Tesla, SpaceX, Meta, and Kendrick Lamar—these are words synonymous with the future.
We live in a world highly driven by the internet, artificial intelligence, and smart devices. The latter, for the uninitiated, are machines capable of multiple functions and could link with one another through a wireless network (Wi-Fi). A smart television, for instance, can automatically connect to your sound bar, gaming console, or whatever other smart gadgets you have at home. You could also directly stream videos and browse the internet with a smart TV.
Part of the price of admission to life is constant change. In technology there is what we call “Accelerating Change,” a phenomenon where innovations propel the next, creating a snowball of progress.
Whether it’s our thoughts, emotions, or relationships, nothing is exempt from change. Even the cells in our body are replenished daily. The simplest of things too, such as timekeeping, has evolved over the centuries.
People have had a long history with the tracking of time, from sundials to water clocks, to the first mechanical movement introduced in the 1200s. Clocks later became mobile with the first pocket watch invented by Peter Henlein in 1510 in Nuremberg, Germany. It has been 300 years since the first wristwatch was invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet, who designed a “repeater watch for bracelet” for the Queen of Naples in 1810. The Guinness World Records, however, credits Patek Philippe as the progenitor of the wristwatch in 1868 for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary. The 1800s was the period wristwatches were treated as jewelry.
Fast forward to 1998, Steve Mann pioneered the first Linux wristwatch, the first-ever smartwatch in other words. Considered the “father of wearable computing,” Steve’s creation ushered in a new age for timepieces, which now serve as mini-computers, health accessories, and extensions to our phones.
The whirlwind of developments boosted the demand and utilization of technology, turning smartwatches from a want to a need. Seeing as a smartwatch is essentially a fitness tracker as well, its value increased due to the pandemic since people were forced to be more health conscious.
With several uses and features, the smartwatch is just as good an investment as any luxury mechanical watch out there. Because the digital timepiece is in vogue, there are so many brands and models to choose from today. Chinese electronic giant Xiaomi is currently among the leading contenders in the market for smartwatches in Asia. And for good reasons, first and most recent of which is the release of the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro.
One of Xiaomi’s best smartwatches to date, the Watch S1 Pro had been turning a lot of heads with its sleek design, functionality, and practicality. I recently got my hands on a model to see if it lived up to all the clamor.
Inside the box are a multi-language user manual, a magnetic USB charging dock, and the unit. At a glance, the classic, circular silhouette calls attention. Judging from the Watch S1 Pro’s appearance alone, one could surmise that this is an exceptional timepiece. With a simple and elegant look, the watch could easily be worn on any occasion and with whatever outfit, from dungarees to tuxedos.
The Watch S1 Pro comes in two colorways, namely a silver steel case with a brown handpolished leather strap, and a black-on-black steel case and fluoro rubber. The bands are easily interchangeable, and both are equally dapper.
As for the make, the 46 mm body is made of stainless steel. On the upper right side is a single rotatable crown used for volume adjustments and for exploring the menu. When turned, the studded knob triggers haptic vibrations, a nuance that adds to the premium feel of the watch. Pressing the crown down leads to an application drawer that contains everything you could do with the watch. Below this is a button that activates the 100 workout modes.
At 48.5 grams, the watch is light enough that it does not hinder the arms from any physical activities, while also being sufficiently hefty, showing how well-built it is.
Another element of the Watch S1 Pro worth noting is its large 1.47-inch Amoled always-on display with sapphire crystal glass that boasts of ultra-narrow bezels. The thin bezels make the screen appear bigger, all the more impressive.
The screen has an anti-fingerprint coating, highly resistant to scratches and perfect for rough users such as me. It could reach up to 600 nits in brightness, meaning there won’t be any problems looking at the watch face under the sun. Thanks to the 462 PPI (pixels per inch) display, images are incredibly crisp I’d like to stream my Netflix programs on the screen, if only I knew how to hack my watch to do so. It is so clear, even the tiniest widgets are visible.
Touch response, moreover, is snappy and smooth without stutter or lags, thanks to the advanced 12nm chip process technology, supported by Xiaomi’s enhanced user interface (UI).
As with most smartwatches, you could take calls using the Watch S1 Pro. The microphone is on the left side, while the speakers are on the right.
With a 500 mAh battery life the Watch S1 Pro solves one of the common problems of smartwatches, which is the constant need to recharge. On a full charge and with moderate use, the watch lasts for two entire weeks, probably longer than most of your relationships.
The Watch S1 Pro is compatible with any phone running on either Android 6.0 or higher, and iOS11 or higher. The optimal device to pair the watch with is, of course, a Xiaomi handset. Luckily, my second phone is the 10T Pro 5G, which I bought three years ago on its first release. The watch connects to the phone via Bluetooth 5.2, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and WiFi. Get the most out of the watch by downloading the Mi Fitness application.
From the hardware alone, the Watch S1 Pro already wins big time. The software, however, is just as good, running on MIUI Watch OS. The watch has advanced health and workout tracking from heart rate to temperature measurements, oxygen saturation (SpO2) to stress monitoring, and sleep diary, to name a few.
There is also a built-in dual-band GPS with five satellite positioning systems as well as accurate records of training routes for more than 100 fitness modes including running, cycling, triathlon, elliptical training, rowing, and winter sports, not that we have any in the Philippines.
Mountaineers might also be interested in precise 3D distance monitoring, which adjusts and optimizes step count depending on altitude changes. Runners, on the other hand, will find a reliable personal trainer in the Watch S1 Pro, as it has 10 built-in running courses of different durations and intensities.
On preset, swiping left gives you access to Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. Swiping right, meanwhile, leads to customizable widgets. An up swipe reveals the quick access shortcuts, while a down swipe brings you to notifications.
Other standard smartwatch features include the remote shutter, so you could take photos using your phone from afar with a single tap on the watch; a clear water option for faster drying when the Watch S1 Pro gets wet; flashlight, which illuminates the watch face to act as a light source; and find the device that prompts your connected phone to ring to easier locate it.
The watch also supports near-field communication (NFC), online wallets, and contactless payments.
Overall, the Watch S1 Pro is among the hottest and most handsome smartwatches this year, which offers a great deal of dependability and value for money. It is highly recommended for first-time buyers, those looking to upgrade, and health buffs. Available in Xiaomi local stores.