Xiaomi Watch S3 Review: Great design, but is it worth the HyperOS hype?

A responsive and sharp AMOLED display

The S3 features a vibrant 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. This high-resolution display ensures sharp and clear visuals, making it easy to read notifications and navigate through menus. The touch screen is responsive and smooth, providing a seamless user experience.

Just like its previous models in Xiaomi’s wearable product line, this watch is not exceptional and features a sharp display. It boasts an impressive peak brightness of 600 Nits. In our own experience, we found it to be very responsive, effortlessly allowing you to read notifications and operate it, even in direct sunlight.

Based on our test results, in the majority of scenarios the display was readable even in direct sunlight. While it may not be flawless, the simplest method to ensure optimal visibility is to check your health and workout metrics in a more shaded environment.

What can be done to improve outdoor display visibility?

Consider switching to watch faces with a white background and larger fonts. This simple adjustment will significantly enhance readability, especially in direct sunlight, as shown in the photo below.

The watch boasts several display-related features that enhance its power efficiency and contribute to a longer-lasting battery life:

• Always On Display (AOD) – When the watch automatically enters hibernation or sleep mode and switches the display off to conserve power.
• Raise to wake – The display can be automatically turned on and off using hand or arm gestures.
• Ambient light sensor – Adjusts the display brightness level according to ambient light conditions. You have the option to manually adjust the settings or let the system automatically adjust them based on the sensor’s feedback.