Xiaomi launches Mijia S500, a high-tech electric razor sold for 50 euros

Mijia, the brand dedicated to domestic electrical products from Xiaomi, is launching a “high tech” electric razor in the West. Its name: Mijia S500. Already available from some online distributors, the Mijia S500 is intended to be an alternative to the essential Philips Philishave range.

In France, we know the Xiaomi brand well for its smartphones, in particular the Redmi range, complete and affordable, and the Poco range, very aggressive in terms of prices. We could also cite high-end smartphones, although we were less enthusiastic about the Mi 10T Pro or Mi 10 Pro than the Poco F2 Pro, in particular. We also know the Mi Electric Scooter 2 Pro electric scooters, connected bracelets, like the Mi Band 4, as well as televisions, like the Mi TV 4S, three products tested in our columns.

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The ecosystem in France is much larger. It also includes headphones, portable speakers, multimedia boxes, projectors, chargers, external batteries, bags and suitcases and even screwdrivers … In China, this range is even richer. With the Mijia brand, which we also know in our latitudes, Xiaomi offers pressure cookers, air conditioning systems, computers, microwave ovens, robot vacuums, toothbrushes, hair dryers, strollers. , etc.

A category which still had some difficulties to arrive in the West, was very present in Asia: the electric razor. In Europe, there is the unmistakable Philishave, the range of the Dutch company Philips. But Xiaomi is determined to go and tease this leader with a product called soberly Mijia S500 (or Mi Electric Shaver S500). You can already find it in some online stores, especially on Amazon at a price of around fifty euros. We are very, very far from the prices charged by Philips.

The Xiaomi strategy adapted to electric shavers

Low price, but some cool features not found at Philips either. It is the same strategy as for smartphones. Some concrete examples. First, you will find a standard connector for charging: a port USB type-C. It is possible to shave while charging (which is not the case with Philips). And the charge indicator shows a precise percentage, not levels. It supports of course to be passed under water. But the S500 is waterproof (IPX7 certification). It can therefore be fully submerged. Finally, another interesting addition, a mode allows the shaver to be blocked so that it does not accidentally turn on.

For the rest, we are a fairly classic product with a flexible razor head mounted on an axis which also offers some additional movements. There are three rotating blades, each behind a grid. The geometry of each blade is also agreed, with small beveled blades. The head opens to rinse the blades. And it is possible to remove the blades from the head, which is not always the case with competitors. A visual indicator reminds you to rinse the blades (but we believe it turns on after a while whether you shave or not). The built-in battery provides an autonomy of 60 minutes, for a charging time from 0% to 100% of … 90 minutes ! Little better to do.