Xiaomi Watch S4 User Complaint: Struggling to Use, Frustrating Experience
I’ve tried watches from all the big brands: Apple, OPPO, and Huawei. Last year, I switched both my phone and watch to OPPO because of its impressive camera performance. The OPPO watch was lightning-fast, with features that even outperformed Huawei in many ways. However, during the Lunar New Year this year, I lost my OPPO watch.

So, I recently picked up the much-hyped Xiaomi S4 Black Rainbow. Why did I buy it? Well, let’s be honest—it was all about the looks. Its sleek and edgy design completely won me over. Without a second thought, I snatched it up. But after just one day of use, something felt off… I never expected Xiaomi’s wearable series to be so frustratingly difficult to use.

Could it possibly be worse than Xiao天才 (Xiaotiancai)? Sorry, but Xiao天才 is actually more expensive!

1. 👿 **Step Count Sync Issues**: The step count on the Xiaomi watch doesn’t sync with WeChat in real-time. There’s an approximate 20% discrepancy between the two, and even after syncing with the Xiaomi Wear app, it still refuses to work properly. When I brought this issue up at a Xiaomi store, the staff member gave me a shrug and said, “It just can’t sync.

” When I told him that none of the other smartwatches I’ve used had this problem, he was speechless, muttering something about being “just a worker, not a designer.” 😰 Even worse, he dared to ask me, “Why do you need to sync anyway?” Excuse me? If I can’t sync, why would I even bother buying it? Just to check the time?
I have better options for that!
2. 😱 **Do Not Disturb Mode Glitch**: When I enable the phone’s Do Not Disturb mode and sync it with the watch, it inexplicably activates automatically at 10 AM every morning—despite neither my phone nor the watch having any such setting configured. I asked the store employee about this, and instead of offering a solution, he pulled his hair in frustration and suggested I simply turn off the sync feature.
When I pointed out how illogical this was, he admitted he couldn’t fix it, with a face that clearly said, “Stop bothering me.” Before I bought it, his attitude was worlds apart—he practically promised me in writing that Xiaomi’s watch was the best in the world. 🙄
3. 😂 **Gesture Control Fiasco**: One of the key selling points of the Xiaomi Watch S4 is its gesture control functionality. You’re supposed to snap your fingers to end calls or activate Xiaoi (the AI assistant). Spoiler alert: no matter how hard I try, I can’t get this feature to work. It’s so clunky and unreliable that it feels like a complete joke.
4. 💩 **Deep Seek Model Integration Failures**: They boast about embedding the Deep Seek model into Xiaoi, claiming you can summon the assistant anytime to query whatever you want. But when I asked Xiaoi how to disable the Do Not Disturb mode on my phone, it responded with, “Sorry, I’m not sure about that. Try using another app instead.” Talk about infuriating!
5. 😞 **Missed Notifications**: Sometimes, the watch doesn’t even notify me of messages or incoming calls! Now, I find myself missing my old OPPO watch dearly. In my opinion, the OPPO watch remains the best among Android smartwatches. It’s fast, responsive, and integrates seamlessly with the phone. So, OPPO, where are you when I need you most?!
I totally get why you’re frustrated—having used a few smartwatches myself, consistency in software performance really makes or breaks the experience. It’s especially disappointing when a brand you expected more from doesn’t deliver, but losing your previous watch would definitely push someone towards finding a quick replacement.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I completely agree that software consistency is key for a smooth user experience. It’s tough when high expectations aren’t met, but it also pushes brands to improve. Hopefully, both users and manufacturers can learn from these challenges!
I can totally relate to your frustration—smartwatches can be hit or miss sometimes. It’s surprising how a brand like Xiaomi, which usually nails affordability and features, missed the mark here for you. I hope the next update brings some real improvements; consistency is key for user trust.
I totally get your frustration! I had high hopes for the Xiaomi S4 too, but the UI feels so clunky compared to my old Huawei watch. That rainbow color is gorgeous though—shame the experience doesn’t match the looks. Maybe next update will fix things?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I agree the S4’s design is stunning, and Xiaomi is actively working on UI improvements—future updates should smooth things out. Fingers crossed the next one nails it! Your feedback is super helpful.
I totally get your frustration! I had high hopes for the Xiaomi S4 too after all the hype, but the UI feels clunky compared to my old Huawei watch. Maybe it’s just me, but the learning curve seems steeper than it should be for a smartwatch in 2024.
I totally get your frustration! I also switched from an OPPO watch to a Xiaomi last year and had similar issues – the interface just feels clunky compared to OPPO’s smooth experience. That rainbow color looks amazing in ads though, shame the performance doesn’t match the looks.
I totally get your frustration! I had a similar experience with my Xiaomi watch last year—cool looks but the UI felt clunky compared to my old Huawei. Maybe try resetting it? Sometimes that helps with the lag.
I totally feel your frustration! I also switched from an OPPO watch to Xiaomi last month and the learning curve is real – some features just aren’t as intuitive as they should be. That rainbow color does look amazing though, shame the experience doesn’t match the looks.
I totally get your frustration! I had high hopes for the Xiaomi S4 too, but the UI feels clunky compared to other brands. Maybe stick with OPPO for your next watch since you already loved their system?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! While the S4’s UI might take some getting used to, I’ve found its customization options improve over time. That said, sticking with a brand you’re comfortable with, like OPPO, isn’t a bad idea either—it’s all about personal preference! Appreciate your input.