Xiaomi Watch 5 announced with HyperOS 3, eSIM support and titanium tech

Thursday, 25 December 2025 at 18:48

Xiaomi just redefined what a "flagship" wearable looks like. Launching alongside the beastly Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi Watch 5 isn't just another incremental update. It’s a tech-heavy powerhouse that introduces features we usually only see in medical-grade equipment or high-end custom jewelry. From its EMG-driven gesture control to a 3D-printed titanium strap, this watch is clearly designed to sit at the absolute top of the Android ecosystem.

Key Points:

Features a world-first EMG sensor for touch-free muscle-based gesture control.
Boasts a massive 18-day battery life thanks to a dual-chip architecture.
Debuts a premium 3D-printed titanium strap that is 50% lighter than steel.
Includes Class II medical-grade ECG and 30-second health scans.
Fully untethered eSIM model supports standalone calling and third-party apps.

The emg and health breakthrough

The most talked-about feature is the EMG (electromyography) sensor. This is a first for Xiaomi. Unlike standard motion sensors, the EMG detects the tiny electrical signals produced by your wrist muscles. This allows for incredibly precise, touch-free gesture control—think flicking your wrist or clenching your fist to snap a photo or dismiss an alarm. Paired with a Class II medical-grade ECG, it’s a high-precision health tool. It even offers muscle heat maps after gym sessions, showing exactly which muscle groups you hit the hardest during your workout.

Performance and dual-chip power

Under the hood, Xiaomi is using a clever dual-chip architecture. The heavy lifting is handled by the Snapdragon W5 (4nm), ensuring the HyperOS 3 animations stay buttery smooth at 60Hz. When you aren't scrolling through apps, the Hengxuan 2800 low-power chip takes over background monitoring. This "brain-splitting" strategy allows the 930mAh battery to last up to 6 days in performance mode or a staggering 18 days in power-saving mode.

Design and 3d-printed titanium

The build quality is aggressive. We’re looking at a 47mm 316L stainless steel case and synthetic sapphire glass on both the front and the heart-rate sensor. But the real showstopper is the optional 3D-printed titanium strap. Laser-melted at 1700°C from micron-level powder, this lattice-grid band is 50% lighter than steel and specifically designed for long-term comfort. The 1.54-inch AMOLED display is equally impressive, pushing 1500 nits of brightness, making it one of the most legible screens in direct sunlight.