Xiaomi has confirmed that it will introduce two new accessories, the Watch 5 smartwatch and Buds 6 wireless earbuds, at its December 25 launch event. Both products are set to debut alongside the already announced Xiaomi 17 Ultra, indicating that the company is positioning the accessories as part of a broader flagship ecosystem rather than standalone releases.
The Xiaomi Watch 5 is being described by the company as its new top-tier smartwatch, though the available details suggest a measured update focused on hardware refinements and added sensors. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 wearable platform, a 4nm chip built around a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU. This processor has appeared in other premium Wear OS devices and is generally aimed at balancing performance with battery efficiency rather than pushing raw computing power.
One of the more notable additions is the inclusion of an EMG sensor, marking the first time Xiaomi has integrated electromyography into one of its smartwatches. The Watch 5 also retains ECG functionality, which has become a standard feature in higher-end wearables. While Xiaomi has not yet outlined specific use cases, EMG sensors typically detect electrical signals generated by muscle movement and can be used to enable gesture-based controls or more detailed health and motion tracking. How much of this functionality will be available at launch remains unclear.
In terms of build, the Watch 5 continues Xiaomi’s preference for conventional smartwatch aesthetics. It features a round display protected by sapphire glass rated at 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, paired with a one-piece stainless steel casing. Strap options at launch include stainless steel, brown, and green, suggesting a focus on durability and everyday wear rather than a sporty or rugged look.
Alongside the smartwatch, Xiaomi has also confirmed the Xiaomi Buds 6, its next set of semi-in-ear wireless earbuds. Official teasers show the earbuds will be available in pink, white, and black. Xiaomi is emphasizing a biomimetic curve design and support for what it describes as lossless, CD-quality audio. In addition to sound performance, the company is promoting features such as on-device recording, real-time translation, and AI-assisted summarization, continuing a trend of adding productivity-oriented software features to audio accessories.
With the Watch 5 and Buds 6 arriving alongside a new flagship phone, Xiaomi appears to be reinforcing its strategy of tying accessories closely to its smartphone launches, using iterative hardware upgrades and expanded sensor capabilities to maintain competitiveness in a crowded wearables market.
