Cover image via SAYSI've been using the Xiaomi Watch S4 for about three weeks now, and it arrived at just the right time
Since the start of the year, I've been more focused on my personal health and fitness goals. Without any tech to help me out, this smartwatch slotted effortlessly into my daily routine and gave me the accountability, motivation, and boost I needed to keep going.
Sleek, functional, and surprisingly capable, the Watch S4 has become more than just a tech gadget — it's now an extension of my body.
Whether you're eyeing this for fitness, everyday productivity, or simply a stylish accessory, here's my honest take.
Image via SAYS
Let's start with the aesthetics because yes, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, but there's no denying that this watch looks good
You can swap the straps to match your outfit or mood. The bezels are customisable too, so you're not stuck with one look.
Personally, as a non-fashionable person but lover of colour, I absolutely adored the standard rainbow bezel and strap, and didn't feel the need to change accessories.
And with multiple watch displays to choose from, the watch is versatile and able to switch from workouts to office wear to a fancy evening out without much fuss.
The Xiaomi Watch S4 features a 1.43″ AMOLED display with a sharp 466 x 466 resolution, framed by an aluminum alloy body. It feels light at just 44.5g but premium.
Image via SAYS
Image via SAYS
The rotating crown makes scrolling feel snappy and tactile — super helpful when you're navigating post-workout with sweaty hands. Although I prefer to swipe and scroll as I have better control.
Previously, I've only used smartbands, so this was a definite level-up for me. If you like big watch faces the way I do, then aesthetically, the Watch S4 should already be on your radar.
Here's what the watch tracks:
Xiaomi packed the S4 with a wide range of tracking tools, some expected, some pleasantly surprising. Even if you're not usually a "stats" person, I guarantee you'll enjoy checking these numbers because they're about… you.
Daily Activity
- Steps Taken – Obvious, but nice to see at a glance. You can set your own daily goal and receive a vibration and rainbow celebration on screen when you hit it.
- Calories Burned – This one's been especially motivating for me. Watching my calorie burn add up throughout the day gives a real sense of progress.
- Active Minutes & Movement Goals – This tracks the time spent engaged in moderate- or high-intensity exercise. This includes taking the stairs or doing heavy housework, so don't be intimidated!
Image via SAYS
Image via SAYS
Sleep Tracking
This might be my favourite feature. Not only does the watch track when you fall asleep and wake up, but it also monitors:
- Sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
- Wake-ups (and I wake up a lot — sometimes up to six times a night)
- Overall sleep quality
Then comes the fun bit: your "Sleep Animal". I'm a sheep, apparently, because I go to bed early, but wake up frequently throughout the night. It's a cute little system that makes sleep data feel a bit more personal.
With added tips on how to improve your sleep quality, I actually feel motivated to sleep better now.
Image via SAYS
Heart Health & Stress
- 24/7 Heart Rate Monitoring
- Stress Monitoring
- Blood Oxygen (SpO2) Monitoring
These are always running in the background if you turn on continuous monitoring (which I did), and the insights they provide are easy to understand in the Mi Fitness app.
You can also set up alerts for different abnormal readings, such as high heart rate, low heart rate, low blood oxygen, and so forth.
Image via SAYS
Workout Tracking
- Tracks over 150+ workout modes
- Great for tracking cardio, including running, walking, outdoor cycling, treadmill work, and jump rope
I probably used the treadmill tracking feature the most as my previous smartbands couldn't detect exercise done on treadmills, which makes up the majority of my daily workout. In fact, I just use a walking pad, and the watch had no issues tracking my walking.
Image via SAYS
It's also water-resistant up to 5 ATM, which is handy if you're the type to do laps in a pool (I tried doing swimming laps, the watch didn't detect much because I was too slow haha).
However, one small downside is that the watch doesn't recognise lighter workouts like Pilates or bodyweight training. It can be a bummer to do an hour of Pilates and not have any calorie burn or activity level reflected on the watch.
I also noticed that sometimes, the app and watch don't sync perfectly. There was more than one occasion that the watch picked up my workout, but the app did not.
Aside from health tracking, the Watch S4 pulls its weight in the smart features department too
Bluetooth Calling: I've answered calls on my wrist while out in busy malls, which is very convenient when you're the kind of person who keeps their phone on silent in your handbag. Calls are clear from both ends. You can save favourite numbers on the watch for quick access, but if you want to dial manually, you'll have to use the number pad.
App Notifications: They're optional. I personally chose not to link my apps — my phone buzzes enough, and I don't need my wrist jumping every two minutes. But if you like that level of connectivity, it's there.
Music: While the watch doesn't connect to Spotify, you can download playlists and songs on to the watch to play back at any time.
Alarm, Weather, Timer, and More: All the standard tools are here. Nothing revolutionary, but it all works well.
Battery life on this watch is no joke. Xiaomi promises up to 10 days with normal use, and that seems accurate.
I'm not the kind of person who allows their devices to get to 0%, so at around the seven-day mark, when the watch is at 20% battery, I'll give it a full charge.
One week with continuous tracking on, including sleep tracking all night, I'd say it's well worth it.
Charging is fast too — around an hour from empty to full. I pop into the shower and charge the watch; by the time I'm done it's at 100%.
The Xiaomi Watch S4 is a solid smartwatch, especially if you're prioritising health and wellness features wrapped in a good-looking package
It nails the basics, offers some genuinely fun extras (like the sleep animal), and stays on your wrist for days at a time without needing a recharge.
At a price point that's hard to beat (RM559 – RM699), it delivers solid value without sacrificing aesthetics or usability.
No device is perfect, and the Xiaomi Watch S4 has its quirks:
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Doesn't detect lighter or static workouts
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Occasional syncing issues between the watch and Mi Fitness app
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No third-party app support
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Manual number dialling on the watch is clunky
However, if you're just starting out on a health journey or want a smartwatch that quietly supports your goals without overwhelming you, the Xiaomi Watch S4 might be exactly what you're looking for.
Image via SAYS
