In a significant move in the wearables market, Xiaomi, a leading Android brand, has announced its entry into the Wear OS 3 domain with the upcoming launch of the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.
Key Highlights:
- Launch Details: Xiaomi is set to unveil the Watch 2 Pro on September 26 in Berlin.
- Shift in OS: This will be Xiaomi’s first smartwatch to feature Wear OS instead of its proprietary MIUI OS since the Mi Watch in 2019.
- Specifications: Leaks indicate that the Watch 2 Pro will sport a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, and backed by a 500mAh battery.
- Design: The watch is expected to have a classic appearance, reminiscent of the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, complete with a stainless steel case and a potentially rotating ridged bezel.
- Features: Rumors suggest the watch will offer ECG and skin temperature tracking, 5ATM water resistance, 150 sports modes, 2GB of RAM, 32GB storage, and optional LTE support.
Xiaomi’s decision to adopt Wear OS comes after a noticeable decline in its smartwatch sales in recent years. With Google reporting a 5x increase in Wear OS users since its 2021 launch, Xiaomi aims to leverage the revamped OS and the vast Play Store app ecosystem to enhance the appeal of its watches.
Interestingly, while Xiaomi’s 2019 Mi Watch did use Wear OS, it was heavily skinned with MIUI, altering the software experience. Subsequent Xiaomi watches opted out of Wear OS entirely. However, with the upcoming Watch 2 Pro, Xiaomi seems to be revisiting its strategy, possibly aiming to combine the best of both worlds.
What’s Next for Xiaomi and Wear OS?
The Watch 2 Pro’s potential success could set a precedent for other Android phone brands that currently rely on their proprietary watch operating systems. The integration of familiar software, Play Store apps, and Xiaomi’s hardware expertise could indeed be a match made in heaven for consumers.
Key Takeaways:
- Xiaomi’s Watch 2 Pro is set to launch on September 26.
- The watch will feature Wear OS, marking a shift from Xiaomi‘s traditional use of MIUI OS for its smartwatches.
- Leaked specifications suggest a feature-rich device that can compete with leading smartwatches in the market.
Stay tuned for the official announcement and more details on the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.
