Xiaomi Watch 5 and Buds 6 Confirmed for Dec 25: Snapdragon W5 and EMG Sensor Revealed
Xiaomi is gearing up for a significant hardware event this Christmas. The technology giant has officially confirmed that its December 25 launch event will extend beyond the highly anticipated Xiaomi 17 Ultra smartphone. The company will also introduce two key additions to its wearable portfolio: the Xiaomi Watch 5 and the Xiaomi Buds 6.
Official teasers and technical details released ahead of the event point to a strong focus on sensor innovation and on-device artificial intelligence.
Xiaomi Watch 5: Introducing EMG Technology
The new smartwatch, billed by the company as a “fully intelligent flagship,” is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 wearable platform. Built on a 4nm process with a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU, the chipset promises a balance of high performance and power efficiency.
The most notable hardware innovation is the inclusion of an EMG (electromyography) signal sensor. In addition to the standard ECG sensor for heart monitoring, the Watch 5 is Xiaomi’s first device capable of detecting minute electrical signals from wrist muscles. While specific use cases haven’t been fully detailed, this technology is generally used to translate hand movements and muscle intentions into digital commands, enabling touch-free gesture control of the watch interface.
Regarding design and durability, the Watch 5 features a round dial protected by sapphire glass, which rates a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. The casing is forged from a single piece of stainless steel. The device will be available with stainless steel, brown, and green strap options.
Xiaomi Buds 6: AI-Enhanced Audio
Debuting the same evening are Xiaomi’s new flagship semi-in-ear headphones, the Xiaomi Buds 6. Confirmed color options include Pink, White, and Black, with a design characterized by a “biomimetic curve.”
On the audio front, Xiaomi promises “CD-level lossless original sound.” However, the defining features of this generation appear to be software-driven. The Buds 6 will integrate AI-powered functionalities, including intelligent recording, real-time translation, and AI-based content summarization, positioning the device as a productivity tool rather than just an audio accessory.
For context, the predecessor Xiaomi Buds 5 launched at 699 yuan, offering semi-in-ear active noise cancellation and up to 39 hours of battery life. The Buds 6 are expected to build upon these specifications, though official pricing remains to be seen.
