Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve smartwatch with key features

Xiaomi constantly pleases users with new smartphones with good functionality at an affordable price. With a smartwatch, things are worse. Yes, the company is actively developing in this direction, but produces new models exclusively for the domestic market, but the situation seems to change soon.

According to the insiders of the XDA-Developers portal, the company has planned to launch a new model for the European market. It was discovered by accident, in the proprietary Mi Watch application. It is assumed that the novelty is an updated version of Watch Color with the name changed to Mi Watch Revolve.

Main characteristics

The exact characteristics are still unknown. Many users express the opinion that the manufacturing company will keep the main functionality of Color (with the exception of cellular support), and the new name is just a rebranding.

Design and equipment

Unlike the Mi Watch (very much like the Apple Watch), the new model has a round case. The design is simple, but at the same time stylish, without unnecessary details, as close as possible to the classic. The display is protected by third-generation Gorilla Glass. It is also rumored that a protective DLC coating will be used for additional protection of the display (it is used for ordinary watches and is considered the best, since it increases the resistance not only to mechanical, but also to chemical influences), which can extend the service life by a couple of years ...

The display is small and looks neat on the hand. The previous version of the rectangular shape looked massive and ridiculous, especially on a woman's hand (for which she received many hard-hitting comments from Russian users). The dial is an adaptation for a mechanical watch with 3 hands and numeric values, while the control buttons located on the side of the case further enhance the similarity.

Gorilla Glass is a development used by well-known consumer electronics manufacturers. Crash tests conducted by users (using a smartphone as an example) showed that when dropped from a height of 1.5 meters, the glass on the front panel was covered with a network of small cracks, but this did not affect the operation of the touch screen. Glass is used for the production of smartphones in the middle and premium price segment.

The case is made of polished stainless steel (the exception is the back plastic cover), which has excellent corrosion resistance, but steel is not so resistant to scratches, so you need to handle the watch carefully.

The strap is silicone, plastic (not oak), fits snugly to the hand. On the one hand, it is convenient, on the other hand, in hot weather the silicone straps are not very comfortable to wear. By the way, for the Color model, not only silicone straps of different colors were available, but also premium options, including leather (even alligator). Whether the company will bother with accessories for Revolve is unknown.

A video with the unpacking of the gadget got into the network (according to the user, the watch was bought at Aliexpress). The box contains: instructions, the watch itself and the charger.

By the way, the packaging also deserves attention - it is a stylish white box with the image of a watch and the manufacturer's logo, wrapped in a protective film - that's the thing for a gift.

Display

Touch, full color, with vivid colors. The design is adapted to the round shape, the letters and numbers are large enough and easy to read. The AMOLED display allows you to see the information on the dial even in the bright sun. Excellent parameters of the screen resolution (this is at a size of 6.5 cm2) - 454 x 454.

The interface is simple and informative - nothing superfluous and distracting. Let's hope that the manufacturer adapts not only the dial, but also the menu icons to the round display. Color gave the impression of a "clipped" screen as the information was displayed in the center (as in the rectangular version).

The dial is reminiscent of a classic watch - with 3 hands and numeric values, and the control buttons located on the side of the case enhance the similarity.

Functions

The display is as informative as possible. Control is carried out by 2 buttons. The top one is for calling up the menu, the bottom one is for entering the sports interface (useful for training). You can also see the sleep analysis (when swiping to the left).

Users expect the interface to be customizable (similar to Color with over 100 pre-installed themes). The gadget supports GPS (GLONASS).
The display shows the pulse (the sensor is located on the inside), the number of steps and the calories burned. When you swipe to the left, information about sleep analysis, heart rate and the number of steps taken appears. Pressing the top physical button leads to the main screen. There is a recording function - you can view the recordings by double-pressing the bottom button.

But there is no information on support for SIM cards and Wi-Fi yet, but given the more than budget price (about $ 100), most likely not. You will not be able to receive calls, but this is not critical. Unlike the version for the Chinese market, there will be built-in speakers.

As for the installation of applications, it is also still unknown. Customers who bought Color noted that installing updates and apps was a hassle. Although they noted that trying to play games on a tiny display is unlikely to occur to anyone.

There is also no information on voice control. XiaoAI voice assistant only "knows" the native language. Whether the company will adapt the voice control function for the global market or abandon it altogether is not yet clear.

Another detail that deserves attention is the waterproof case (5 ATM). In the watch, you can safely wash your hands, swim in the pool, open water (do not dive). The manufacturer does not recommend exposing the watch to high temperatures, so it is better to take it off before going to the bathhouse or sauna.

Autonomy

But here everything is fine. The manufacturer promises 14 days without recharging. According to user reviews, the Color version consumed about 5% of the charge in one workout. You can charge the device quickly, in just a couple of hours.

Such indicators are quite understandable - a powerful 420 mAh battery (for comparison, the Apple Watch 5 has only 296), a small display, minimal functionality (you can't take calls, and you won't go too far with the installation of applications), plus the possibility of physical control.Third-party extensions are also automatically removed.

Where can I buy

The watch is already on sale on AliExpress, but note that despite the similar specifications, the seller offers a Chinese version that does not support WearOS.

Well, do not forget that the instructions will only be in Chinese and the function of the voice assistant in this case is also not useful. Asking price - $ 100 (depending on configuration). By the way, the price is predicted to be slightly different from the original. Sales are expected to start at $ 113 (marginally different depending on the market).

As for the start of sales in Russia, there is no information yet. Various sources report that mass production and an official presentation could take place in a couple of months.

What is the result

The Chinese brand will not be able to offer anything essentially new, except that the changed name and shape of the case.

Users also have mixed opinions about the novelty. On the one hand, there is a bright display, stylish design and long battery life. On the other hand, it has very limited functionality. As one of the commentators noted, "Xiaomi watches work for a long time, but stupidly."

Unlike the Chinese, the rebranded version for the global market will lose functionality - there is no support for cellular communications. Hundreds of versions of pre-installed dial themes are also an idea not to say that they are very necessary, as well as weather data.

The honesty of the manufacturer is worthy of respect, which calls the heart rate sensor a heart rate sensor (as opposed to competitors, whose watches "know" how to measure blood pressure).

Advantages and disadvantages

Based on the known parameters, preliminary conclusions can be drawn. For $ 100, the buyer gets a beautiful fitness tracker with more than 8 sports modes (walking, running, cycling, and others).

• stylish design;
• durable protective glass;
• waterproof stainless steel case;
• silicone strap;
• adapted dial;
• simple control;
• affordable price;
• several training modes;
• bright display.

• limited functionality;
• it is impossible to install applications;
• does not support cellular communication.

So, the novelty is intended rather for lovers of stylish and unusual accessories. A beautiful watch with the minimum set of functions necessary for training. Although, it is quite possible that during the official presentation, Xiaomi will be able to surprise users.