Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge smart watch review: built for more than just fitness tracking with NFC and AI

Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge: specs

First, let's take a quick look at the specs of Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge.

	Xiaomi Amazfit 1.3 inch Smart Watch Chinese Version - CARBON GRAY
	$207.55	(5 reviews)

Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge: design and display

The Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge sports a very similar look to the Amazfit Stratos. It's a circular watch, a bit on the bulky side - which is quite common for sports watches. It also houses a 43mm 1.3 inch AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top. The screen sports the 360x360 pixels resolution and is said to come with a special coating that prevents fingerprint smudges from accumulating. The body is made with reinforced plastic making the watch look even sportier than some of the previous models. The Amazfit Verge measures 8.9 x 1.69 x 0.5 inches and weighs just 46 grams.

Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge: sports features

The Verge comes with a heart rate monitor sensor located right on the other side of the watches display. Thus, you will be getting real time feedback on how your heart is doing throughout your exercise routine or rest time.

The sports watch supports 11 different sports modes, which makes it quite a versatile fitness monitoring device. The supported sports modes include the basics like running, hiking, working out at the gym as well as other activities like golfing, rowing, and even playing soccer.

Naturally, you will get the standard set of fitness trackers as well such as a pedometer, calorie counter, distance calculator, etc.

However, what puts the Verge apart from other similar sports models, are not the sports features but the "extras" that promise to make it a very useful gadget in the everyday.

First, there is the built-in NFC chip, which makes several things possible. Namely, contactless payments. Both AliPay and UnionPay are already established on the watch and you can start using the Verge for payments on the go right away. However, there's been no word yet if the feature will extend to Western payment options and bank services. When in China, you can also use the watch to pay for transportation in as many as 165 cities - all using the built-in NFC chip.

Xiaomi's new smart watch comes with AI support in the form of the Xiao AI voice assistant. You call the assistant to perform typical tasks like run searches or dial numbers. It will also keep track of your schedules and remind you of important happenings.

The watch is also built as a potential smart home controller. When part of the Mi Home system and with Xiaomi's MIJIA smart home app installed, the watch can be used to take charge of other smart gadgets like the Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner, temperature and humidity sensors, air conditioner, electric fans, smart lights, etc.

Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge: what's under the hood?

The Amazfit Verge comes with a 390mAh battery that is said to be good for 5 whole days of standby time.

The watch is powered by the 1.2GHz processor and sports 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space. There is Bluetooth 4.0 for connecting with your phone and WiFi support for connecting to local networks. Unfortunately, there is no LTE connection support - this would have been a nice option to have and a feature that would make the smart watch more independent on its own.

Another disappointment, at least for some users, would be the operating system. The Amazfit Verge runs on Xiaomi's custom operating system instead of the more popular and familiar Wear OS.

Finally, though the watch is labeled as water resistant and comes with IP68 rating, it is not equipped for being taken for a swim. Thus, there are limitations when it comes to the range of activities you will be able to perform - and you won't be able to go swimming with the Verge on your wrist.

Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Verge: the verdict

The Amazfit Verge is not a typical sport watch. Apart from the standard fitness features, it aims to blend into everyday use enabling contact less payments, smart home control and other features. However, these remain primarily limited to payment methods used in China and smart home gadgets made by Xiaomi. You won't be able to use a SIM card with the watch or take it swimming - but there is a dedicated heart rate monitor and the support of a strong variety of fitness tracking features. With a nice design, a large display and strong build, the Verge can be recommended as a good option to upgrade your existing sports band and explore more functionality within the simple accessory.