| Polar Vantage V | Xiaomi Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $599 | $285★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 39g★ | 56g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Battery | 8 days★ | 6 days |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | Android only |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Oct 4, 2023 | Feb 28, 2026 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | Polar Vantage V4 (2026) | — |
Polar Vantage V3 is one of the few sports GPS watches with on-demand ECG — usually only found on lifestyle smartwatches.
Running power measurement without a foot pod or chest strap — a significant training metric for pacing effort on hills and varied terrain.
The most detailed training load analysis in any sports watch: muscle groups targeted per session, recovery status per muscle, and long-term load trends.
Dual-chip design keeps the main Snapdragon W5 dormant during light tasks, dramatically extending battery life beyond any rival Wear OS watch.
First Wear OS 6 device on the market — with ECG monitoring, EMG gesture control, and eSIM for standalone calling.
Larger and brighter display than Galaxy Watch 8 or Pixel Watch 4, with Hasselblad-tuned health sensors, starting at around $285.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$285 vs $599 over 3 years · no required subscription.
8 days vs 6 days battery.
6 sensors.
39g · no required subscription.
Serious endurance athletes — particularly runners and triathletes — who want Polar's unmatched training load science and recovery guidance, combined with ECG health monitoring and running power in a premium package.
Full details →Android users who want a full-featured Wear OS smartwatch — ECG, eSIM, a large bright screen — at a price well below Samsung and Google competitors. A natural pairing with Xiaomi phones but fully compatible with any Android device.
Full details →