The update to Android 14 appears to be rolling out now in some regions<\/p>\n
Owners of the Xiaomi Watch 2<\/a> are reporting receiving the Wear OS 5 update<\/a>, a welcome software boost that keeps our top-recommended budget Wear OS smartwatch<\/a> relevant for longer. <\/p>\n The update, which Reddit evidence<\/a> suggests is rolling out in phases across different regions, brings the underlying software up to Android 14 and includes the latest security patches.<\/p>\n While this isn\u2019t the cutting-edge Wear OS 6<\/a> that has just debuted on Samsung\u2019s new Galaxy Watch 8 series<\/a>, this is a significant and welcome update. <\/p>\n As we noted in our review from early 2023, the Watch 2 filled a huge gap in the market when it launched. It offered a relatively complete Wear OS experience for a very affordable $169 (and can often be found now closer to the $120 mark). <\/p>\n Even in the time since, only really the re-released Galaxy Watch 4 (the Galaxy Watch FE) has come close to matching its value, unless you wanted to consider last-gen or resale devices.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n So, this update ensures that one of the few truly budget-friendly entry points to Google\u2019s ecosystem remains a viable option for newcomers.<\/p>\n What Watch 2 users can expect from the Wear OS 5 upgrade<\/p>\n For current owners wondering what the Wear OS 5 update brings, this one essentially builds on a solid foundation. There shouldn\u2019t be too much visual change, since elements like the redesigned app drawer that debuted with this version won\u2019t carry over to Xiaomi\u2019s skin of Wear OS. <\/p>\n However, it could ease what remains the watch\u2019s most significant compromise, the single-day battery life. When announcing Wear OS 5 last year, Google noted that running a marathon consumes 20% less power than Wear OS 4, an example of how it manages resources much more efficiently (with faster app loading and multitasking part of this, too).<\/p>\n