Compare Apple Watch SE 3 vs Xiaomi Watch 2

Calorie tracking appeared as part of the useful core fitness toolkit, with one test finding calorie and distance figures matched a comparison watch exactly.

Calorie tracking usefulness was weak because Mi Fitness sometimes showed glitched calorie figures that did not match the watch.

Recovery-related evidence was limited, but one fitness-focused review valued training-load tracking as a way to monitor workout volume over time.

Recovery insights were criticized because suggested recovery times could be unrealistic enough that the reviewer learned to ignore them.

Cellular connectivity was viewed as a useful option, with 5G improving coverage, efficiency, and phone-free use for calls, messages, and downloads.

LTE connectivity was a repeated drawback because the standard Watch 2 lacks cellular support and pushes untethered users toward the Pro model.

Blood oxygen tracking was consistently treated as a missing premium health feature, with reviewers noting it remains reserved for higher-end Apple Watches.

Blood oxygen tracking received positive practical comments, including useful breathing-score context and close comparison to another oximeter-style device.

Band quality evidence was limited but very positive, with praise for easily replaceable Apple Watch bands.

Band quality was mixed to weak: the included TPU band suited workouts but felt cheap or awkward for everyday use.

Size options were viewed positively for offering 40mm and 44mm choices, especially for smaller wrists.

Size options were a weakness because reviewers noted only one case size and concern for smaller wrists.

Touchscreen responsiveness had limited but very positive evidence, with PCMag saying the watch responded promptly and consistently.

Touch responsiveness was mixed: one reviewer found typing acceptable, while another said responsiveness could be slow after startup.

watchOS experience received very strong marks for polish, smoothness, and making the SE 3 feel similar to pricier Apple Watches.

Operating system experience was mixed: Wear OS gave strong app access, but reviewers criticized the older Wear OS 3.5 base and uncertain update path.

Heart-rate tracking drew strong praise across testing, with reviewers saying it aligned well with comparison devices and remained usable even in harder workouts.

Heart-rate accuracy was split sharply: one tester saw close agreement with a Garmin reference, while others reported unreliable or inconsistent readings.

Auto-detection was useful but not flawless; reviewers found it adequate for walks and workouts, while one later review said it still lagged rivals.

Activity auto-detection was criticized as trigger-happy and inconsistent about stopping activities.

Wellness insights were considered helpful for beginners or casual users, especially Sleep Score, sleep apnea alerts, and the Vitals-style health context.

Wellness insights were limited; reviewers wanted more proactive tracking and described some health presentation as bare-minimum.

Fitness tracking accuracy was a clear strength, with reviewers reporting reliable workout, activity, and comparison-test results for the price.

Fitness tracking accuracy was mixed: basic tracking worked well for some reviewers, but others found workout data rudimentary or inconsistent in accuracy and usefulness.

Customization was useful through watch faces, workout views, and settings, but limited by the lack of third-party watch faces.

Customization was a clear strength, including many watch faces, complications, straps, and Wear OS personalization options.

Outdoor visibility was generally serviceable, but direct sunlight remained a repeated display limitation.

Outdoor visibility was strong overall, with reviewers saying the display remained bright or visible outdoors.

Charging convenience was mixed because faster top-ups help, but sleep tracking still forces many users into a daily charging routine.

Charging convenience was poor because reviewers disliked the proprietary or orientation-sensitive magnetic puck.

Software smoothness was one of the most consistent strengths, with reviewers praising the S10 chip for snappy menus, fast apps, and fluid navigation.

Software smoothness was mostly good, with reviewers calling it slick or fluid, though some still saw occasional sluggishness or stutter.

Navigation evidence was limited but positive, with offline Apple Maps presented as helpful when away from the phone.

Mapping and navigation were mixed: one reviewer found directions unclear, while another showed GPS navigation working well.

Brightness was usually adequate and sometimes praised, but reviewers acknowledged it is below the brighter Series and Ultra screens.

Brightness was praised as sufficient, including in direct sun or sunny-day use.

Workout Buddy and coaching features were appreciated as helpful motivation, though reviewers often described them as basic, repetitive, or hit-or-miss.

Coaching was mixed: running and workout guidance existed, but sleep advice was described as generic.

Button and gesture controls were widely praised, especially Double Tap, Wrist Flick, the Digital Crown, and side-button shortcuts.

Button controls were generally usable and customizable, but reviewers missed the Pro model’s crown.

Charging speed improved substantially over the SE 2 and was usually praised, even when still slower than pricier Apple Watches.

Charging speed was consistently praised as fast, often offsetting some frustration with short battery life.

Music controls and speaker/media features were useful additions, though reviewers were split on how often they would actually use playback from the watch speaker.

Music controls worked, but the experience had a caveat because album art was missing in one reviewer’s test.

Notification handling was a major everyday strength, with reviewers praising call, text, and response convenience from the wrist.

Notification handling was polarized: several reviewers found replies and mirroring reliable, while one highlighted Wear OS notification delays.

Apple Pay was positively mentioned as part of the compelling smartwatch feature set and deep Apple ecosystem integration.

Contactless payments worked well and were convenient, but the required screen lock was an annoyance.

The user interface was praised as easy, cohesive, and fluid, with gestures and Smart Stack improving quick interactions.

The user interface was easy to learn overall, but small-screen typing and interaction still required patience.

Fit evidence was limited and mixed, with one reviewer saying the older body did not sit as flush as the Series 11.

Fit was acceptable but size-dependent; reviewers found it large or noticeable despite light weight.

Workout variety was viewed very positively, with reviewers noting broad sport profiles and nearly the same workout options as pricier Apple Watches.

Workout variety was viewed as broad, with 150+ or 160+ modes, though one reviewer cautioned that many modes can feel like simple exercise tags.

ECG was the most repeated missing health feature, often framed as the main reason some higher-risk buyers might step up to the Series line.

ECG functionality was treated as a missing advanced feature, softened only by the watch’s lower price.

Reviewers described the core health basics as adequate or mostly complete, especially heart-rate alerts and general tracking, while noting that advanced sensors remain absent.

Reviewers treated general health data as useful directional guidance rather than professional-grade measurement; one review was positive about raw data while another warned not to treat it as hard fact.

The app ecosystem was one of the SE 3’s strongest advantages, repeatedly described as unmatched or far richer than competing budget watches.

The app ecosystem was a strength because Wear OS provided Google services, downloadable apps, and broad wrist-based functionality.

Materials quality evidence was limited but positive, centered on the aluminum case, rounded body, and premium-looking construction.

Materials quality was mixed: one review praised the premium feel, while another called the materials cheaper than more expensive rivals.

Menu navigation evidence was limited but positive, with one reviewer describing the basic home-screen and control flow as simple.

Menu navigation was mostly intuitive, though the lack of a crown made swiping more necessary.

Reviewers generally agreed the SE 3 delivers the core Apple Watch experience, making it feel much less like a compromised budget model.

Smartwatch features were considered strong for the price, with reviewers calling the watch packed or complete enough for everyday smartwatch tasks.

Style and design were the main aesthetic tradeoff: reviewers liked the familiar Apple Watch look but repeatedly called it dated or bezel-heavy.

Style and design divided reviewers: some liked the minimalist look, while others found it plain or characterless.

Water resistance was considered adequate for common needs, with several reviewers accepting the 50m/swimproof rating.

Water resistance was generally appreciated for swimming or showers, but one review noted the limitation of 5ATM with no IP rating.

Watch faces were viewed positively, especially the always-on versions and Apple’s high-quality built-in choices.

Watch faces were praised for looking good on the AMOLED screen and offering customization.

Value for money was the strongest consensus attribute, with reviewers repeatedly calling the SE 3 a standout bargain or best-value Apple Watch.

Value for money was the strongest consensus point: reviewers repeatedly called it affordable, good value, or a bargain for Wear OS.

Pairing/setup evidence was limited but positive, with one review calling setup quick and easy.

Pairing and syncing were positive in the YouTube review that described automatic pairing and syncing with the Mi Fitness app.

Reliability evidence was limited but positive, with one reviewer concluding the SE 3 has what most users need.

Reliability was positive in Wareable’s Watch 2 review because earlier Xiaomi Wear OS bugs were not encountered.

GPS accuracy was mostly praised for everyday workouts, though reviewers noted single-band GPS can wander in dense urban or more challenging environments.

GPS accuracy was mostly praised for dual-band precision and strong real-world performance, with one reviewer finding it less exact.

Third-party app support was praised for extending the native experience, with reviewers highlighting Apple’s App Store depth and useful fitness apps.

Third-party app support was a major advantage, with multiple reviewers praising access to Google Play apps and big-name services.

Comfort was a consistent strength, especially for sleep, smaller wrists, and unobtrusive daily wear.

Comfort was a consistent strength, with reviewers praising the light body for daily wear, workouts, and sleep.

Build quality was considered solid for the price, with reviewers calling it well made and modern enough despite the older design.

Build quality ranged from superb or premium-feeling for the price to noticeably less premium than leading watches.

Sleep tracking was generally useful and often accurate enough, though several reviewers felt Apple’s Sleep Score was simpler than competing systems.

Sleep tracking was generally one of the better health features, with several reviewers saying it was detailed or matched their experience, though one noted it was not perfectly precise.

Battery life was the main practical compromise, ranging from excellent in some tests to daily-charge frustration in others.

Battery life was the biggest split: one review praised two days, but several others found one-day endurance or daily charging disappointing.

On-device Siri was broadly seen as a useful upgrade, making commands faster and more practical for workouts, timers, weather, and health questions.

Voice assistant quality was generally useful thanks to Google Assistant, though one reviewer noted recognition could be slow.

Durability was mixed: stronger Ion-X glass drew praise, but some reviewers noted weaker dust/scratch protection or actual scratching.

Durability had mixed evidence, with one reviewer feeling confident and another faulting the lack of military durability and sapphire glass.

Call handling was rated highly where tested, especially voice isolation and gesture-based call management.

Call handling was consistently positive, with reviewers saying watch calls sounded good or were easy to take from the wrist.

Display quality was a major upgrade thanks to always-on functionality, though reviewers still noted smaller bezels and lower specs than Series models.

Display quality was one of the strongest areas, with multiple reviewers praising the AMOLED panel, clarity, and screen appearance.

Cross-platform compatibility was a clear limitation because the SE 3 remains an iPhone-only smartwatch.

Cross-platform compatibility was a weakness because the watch is Android-focused and loses potential or support outside that ecosystem.

The companion app setup drew a mixed note because managing Watch, Health, and Fitness across multiple iPhone apps can feel tedious.

Companion app quality was split: some found Mi Fitness intuitive or fine, while Wareable called analysis a chore.

Bluetooth connectivity was praised in one review for staying reliable throughout testing.

Body temperature tracking was a missing feature and was called a consideration for users who specifically want it.

Onboard music storage was praised as ample for playlists, apps, and offline listening.

Safety features were strongly praised, especially fall detection, crash detection, emergency features, and real family anecdotes.

Step counting was included in a positive basic-tracking judgment from one reviewer who felt daily steps were handled well.