Next Xiaomi Watch to launch as company's return to Wear OS smartwatches

Xiaomi is rumoured to be developing a new smartwatch powered by Wear OS 3, four years after the Mi Watch debuted. According to a report from 9to5Google, Xiaomi's embrace of Wear OS may be tied to this unreleased smartwatch, as the Galaxy Watch4 series was when Samsung moved away from Tizen OS. As such, there is no suggestion that Xiaomi would update existing smartwatches.

Theoretically, smartwatches running MIUI Watch OS could move to Wear OS, such as the Watch S1 Pro. While Xiaomi pre-installs a proprietary OS with many of its wearables, the company bases MIUI Watch OS on Android. Seemingly, a lack of Google Play Services is what separates MIUI Watch OS from Wear OS.

9to5Google adds that Xiaomi will offer the mysterious Wear OS-based smartwatch under the Xiaomi Watch series, under which it distributes high-end models. The website claims that the model will retain compatibility with the Mi Fitness (Xiaomi Wear) app, with Google effectively shuttering the Wear OS companion app with Wear OS 3. Currently, 9to5Google expects Xiaomi to release its Wear OS-backed smartwatch later this year but states that 'timing is not yet firm'. 

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