Xiaomi Watch 2 vs. Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: How to choose between the smartwatches
All the key differences between Xiaomi's Wear OS pairing
If you’re in the market for a new Wear OS smartwatch, Xiaomi now has two premier options for you to consider: Watch 2 and Watch 2 Pro.
Semi-confusingly, the Pro model actually arrived first—landing at the back end of 2023—while the standard version of the smartwatch was only officially unveiled at MWC 2024 in February.
There are plenty of things Xiaomi has kept the same between these smartwatches, as you would expect, but they’re also defined by some clear differences in design, features, and—perhaps most importantly—the price tags.
We’ve had our hands on both of these watches, and, in this guide, we’re able to provide expert insight for those looking to discover all the key points of comparison. Let’s go.
Specs comparison: Watch 2 vs. Watch 2 Pro
| Feature | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | Xiaomi Watch 2 |
| Display | 1.43-inch AMOLED | 1.43-inch AMOLED |
| Weight | 54.5g (without strap) | 36.8g (without strap) |
| Band size | 135–205 mm | 140–210 mm |
| Band material | Fluororubber or leather | TPU |
| Typical use time | Up to 65h | Up to 65h |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Sensors |
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| Navigation and positioning | Dual band: L1+L5 GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou, QZSS | Dual band: L1+L5 GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou, QZSS |
| Website | Try Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro | Try Xiaomi Watch 2 |
Price, versions, and the competition
- Xiaomi Watch 2—around $190
- Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro—around $280
- Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro LTE—around $350
With a pretty sizeable price disparity, we think these two smartwatches are actually for two different budgets.
The base edition of Watch 2 Pro is very competitive, but that price can start to get close to the likes of the 44mm Galaxy Watch 8 (around $379), TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro (around $350), and Google Pixel Watch 3 ($250–330) if you want cellular support.
The LTE versions of these rival watches are another step up in price, too, but, as you’ll discover from our details below, we don’t consider Watch 2 Pro anywhere near as polished as its rivals.
Watch 2, on the other hand, is more of a classic budget smartwatch, which means it’s no surprise to see it offered without LTE.
There’s no direct competition within the Wear OS stable unless you look to older generations (like Samsung Galaxy Watch 4/5), though you could also consider watches outside Google’s platform.
- Check out our best budget smartwatches in 2026
Design and display
As we say, the design language here remains relatively consistent between these two smartwatches. Both feature circular-shaped cases, with Watch 2 relying on two buttons on the right side for navigation and Watch 2 Pro adding a crown to this setup.
Really, the major difference between this pairing in the design department is the case material and detail.
Watch 2 Pro model’s stainless steel case gives it a premium edge over its standard sibling, which instead opts for an aluminum exterior. The material you prefer will naturally depend on your needs, but we found the pricier Pro model very cumbersome during outdoor exercise.
It’s not necessarily the heaviest watch on the scales, but the weight distribution was something we really didn’t get on with during testing.
The 47.6mm case is great for those with larger wrists, and a gloriously detailed 1.43-inch AMOLED display accompanies it.
However, anybody who wants a smartwatch primarily for workouts will be better off with Watch 2. Our initial impressions are that it’s much lighter on the wrist, though we’ll be testing this out in more depth for our full review.
You’ll also notice that these watches are only offered in a single case size, as well. It’s a little frustrating for those with smaller wrists and might be uncomfortable unless you’re used to it.
Features and Wear OS performance
The big draw of these watches is the Wear OS integration. It ensures that both feature the full gamut of Google’s apps and services directly from the wrist—Maps, Wallet, Assistant, and more—as well as ever-improving third-party support that boasts big hitters like Spotify and WhatsApp.
Both run Wear OS 5 with a Xiaomi MIUI skin on top. Our experience with Xiaomi’s hybrid interface has been mixed, with occasional bugs.
On the whole, though, you shouldn’t really notice much difference in terms of performance; both run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ chip, and it’s actually pretty incredible to see this land in a budget-level device like Watch 2.
We should point out again, as well, that Watch 2 Pro is capable of LTE if you pay extra for the eSIM edition. You’ll have to pay the standard monthly carrier fee, too, but those who prioritize an untethered experience from their phone only have this model to consider.
Health and fitness tracking
Watch 2 featuring Qualcomm’s flagship smartwatch chip isn’t the only coup here, with Xiaomi also including dual-frequency GNSS typically reserved for more premium sports watches.
By using L1 and L5 satellite frequencies, it should be capable of swift lock-on and (in theory) first-class accuracy for tracking outdoor workouts.
This is also present on Watch 2 Pro, as you would guess, but we should say that our experience wasn’t wholly recommendable. Accuracy was nowhere near Garmin’s Multi-Band (dual-frequency) setting, which we view as the gold standard, though lock-on was at least very quick.
Elsewhere, the fitness tracking makeup of these watches is virtually identical. They both feature 150+ tracking modes (though many of these, obviously, are just glorified ways to tag your exercise), and you’ll get roughly the same heart rate breakdowns and post-workout analysis.
This kind of pattern continues into areas like sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, heart-related notification, stress logging, wellness features, and women’s health tracking, but Watch 2 and Watch 2 Pro diverge on one health feature: body composition analysis.
The latter features a bioimpedance sensor to provide a breakdown of your body fat levels, basic metabolic rate, and bone salinity—but, spoiler alert: it’s not very accurate.
So, if you don’t care about this feature, the standard Watch 2 definitely offers better value overall.
Battery life
When we tested Watch 2 Pro, we were pleasantly surprised by the battery life. It performed very strongly, comfortably providing two days of always-on time, and this included turning on all the tracking settings Xiaomi likes to have ‘off’ by default.
Outdoor workouts don’t drain the battery too significantly, either. We found that an hour of dual-frequency GNSS tracking only depleted the Watch 2 Pro battery by around 15–20%.
For Watch 2, Xiaomi estimates you’ll receive 65 hours—and, given the pair share the same processor, we haven’t got any reason to be suspicious of this claim.
Verdict: Which is best?
The ultimate choice comes down to your priorities and budget. Both watches share the same core performance—Snapdragon W5+, Wear OS, dual-frequency GPS, and comparable battery life—but differ in design and extra features.
In our opinion, Watch 2 delivers excellent value overall, but if you’re leaning toward more premium vibes, the Pro model is worth considering.
Choose Xiaomi Watch 2 if:
- You want the ultimate budget Wear OS watch
- You prefer a lightweight, comfortable design for exercise
- You don’t need LTE connectivity or body composition tracking
- The standard tracking features meet your needs
Choose Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro if:
- You want a premium stainless steel case that looks and feels like a traditional watch
- You need LTE/eSIM for calls without your phone
- You’re interested in bioimpedance body composition analysis
- You’re willing to pay more for a premium feel
Get Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
