[TEST] Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 - review after 3 weeks

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 - specification

The difference in the specifications of individual bands is best presented in the table below. The Mi Band 5 is actually a bit different from its competitors, it does not measure blood oxygenation, it has a smaller display and, at least in theory, it is less able to track various exercises. The undeniable advantage of this band, however, is its price, ~ 100 PLN is relatively cheap. For the model with the number 6 from Xiaomi, you have to pay about PLN 200 (the official price is PLN 219), and for the Huawei band we have to add another PLN 50. At this price, you can already buy a smart watch with, for example, an even larger display. However, in the new Xiaomi model it is not so bad at all, the 1.56-inch AMOLED screen fills the entire front of the band and is much more readable than in the older model. We also have more to choose from measured activities, but apart from measuring blood oxygenation, there are no new sensors. Again, I will regret the lack of a built-in GPS module. Maybe it will appear in version 7?

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	Xiaomi Mi Band 5	Xiaomi Mi Band 6	Huawei Band 6
Screen	1.1 "AMOLED	1.56 "AMOLED	1.47 "AMOLED
Touch	Yes	Yes	Yes
Themes	177	60+	n / a
Measured activities	11	thirty	96
Heart rate sensor	Yes	Yes	Yes
SpO2 measurement	no	Yes	Yes
Waterproof	up to 50 m	up to 50 m	up to 50 m
Assistant	yes, Xiao AI (NFC)	yes, Xiao AI (NFC)	no
Tracking your sleep	24h, REM detection	Yes	True Sleep 2.0
Landing	Magnetic charger	Magnetic charger	Magnetic charger
Working time	14 days	14 days	14 days
Communication	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0, BLE
Compatibility	Android / iOS	Android / iOS	Android / iOS
Notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vibration	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitor	Yes	Yes	Yes
Replaceable bands	Yes	Yes	Yes
Approximate price	~ 100 PLN	~ 200 PLN	~ 250 PLN

What should be congratulated on Xiaomi is scrupulous adherence to low prices. It is true that from generation to generation the new bands are a bit more expensive, but their price still does not knock you on your knees and, among other things, hence their great popularity. Huawei measures a bit higher, but also offers a much better battery, as we will see in a moment. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Mi Band 6 can always be ordered directly from China, then the price fluctuates around PLN 150, so it is even more attractive.

From left: Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6, Mi Band 5 and Huawei Band 6.

See also: Huawei Band 6 review

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 - photos

When it comes to the design of the box, Xiaomi does not surprise with anything. In fact, they were slightly enlarged, a new photo and number 6 were added. Inside, we find a black silicone band and a magnetic charging cable as standard. The plus is that it is identical to the Mi Band 5 model, as is the "tablet" itself, which means that the bands from the previous model will also be compatible. This is a big advantage for Mi Band 5 owners who would decide to switch to a newer version.

Read on below

At first glance, the band itself is practically identical to its predecessor. Until you see the display, they are virtually indistinguishable, which is actually good news. The clasp of the band has not changed either, it does not suit everyone, because it can be accidentally unfastened, but I appreciate its convenience and less invasiveness. The "watch" clasp, as in the Huawei Band 6, can be a bit irritating, for example when typing on the keyboard.

A bit more changes are visible from the bottom. In the photo below, from the left, we have Mi Band 5 and Mi Smart Band 6. The location of the sensors has changed a bit, and the blood oxygen sensor has appeared in the 6 model, which also supports sleep tracking (it monitors the quality of breathing). Apart from that, both "pills" have the same size and, as already mentioned, the same pins for charging the battery. And since I mentioned the battery, unfortunately, here we have the biggest drawback of this model. The producer mentally mentions 14 days, but this value is rather unattainable. For me, for the last 3 weeks, the band demanded to be charged every 5 days. The Mi Band 5 was a bit better because it was 7-8 days. Of course, it all depends on what functions you use, but since I am buying a band to have additional monitoring, I want to use it, right?

Apart from the SpO2 measurement, the display is the biggest plus in the new version of Mi Banda. The difference in sizes may not seem great at first glance, but in practice it is colossal. I also have the impression that the display in the 6 model is clearer and can contain much more information. Thanks to this, on the main screen we have information about the time, date, heart rate, weather, as well as the battery level, steps taken and calories burned. Quite a lot for 1.56 inches. The dials can also be changed, although the choice is rather modest. It is also impossible to turn the watch on permanently, which is understandable with such a small battery. However, the activation mechanism in response to a raised hand works very well.

The larger display also significantly improved the readability of notifications. The font is now larger and there is more information on the screen. Thanks to this, you can read the text of the SMS or Facebook notifications without major problems. However, there is still no way to interact with the notifications.

The photo below shows the difference in the size of the display between the Mi Band 5 and the Mi Smart Band 6. This is not all, however, the new version has a higher resolution, which is not surprising since the screen is larger, but also has a larger "packing" of pixels (326 ppi) which also positively influences the assessment of the screen quality. Even at close range, all fonts are sharp and pleasing to the eye. There may be some lack of automatic screen brightness adjustment, but as in the previous model, we can do it manually, and there are 5 levels to choose from. My practice shows that level 3 is sufficient, even on a sunny day. Additionally, you can set a lower brightness level during certain times (e.g. from sunset to sunrise).

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 - Mi Fit application

The Mi Fit application is probably known to all owners of Xiaomi bands, it has been present with us from the first model of this band, i.e. for several good years. At that time, of course, it developed significantly, gaining new opportunities as they appear in the devices offered by the Chinese manufacturer. In the Google Play store you can also find the Xiaomi Wear application, which has a slightly more modern look, and the band can also be paired with the Zepp application by Amazfit.

On the main screen, we have basic information, as well as the ability to run the most popular exercises. In the profile, however, we can find our band, which can be adjusted using the application. As I mentioned, and as you can see in the screenshot below, the battery lasts on average for 5 days, a lot also depends on how often you measure your workouts. My routine is 2-3 sessions about one hour a week.

Information on specific exercises is fairly accurate, although a lot depends on the type of activity. The first example below (the first two pictures) is the Nintendo Ring Fit gameplay exercise, which includes activities such as squats, abdominal and arm exercises. The band is basically able to measure only our heart rate and it looks like it slightly overestimates the number of calories burned. The second example is the free-style exercise, which in my case included 1.5 hours of football. The intensity of these exercises was much higher, but again I have the impression that 1000 kcal is a slight exaggeration.

More data can be obtained during exercises in which we are supported by the telephone. For example, riding a bicycle. Thanks to the GPS data, we have information about speed, pace and altitude differences on the route. Theoretically, such data could also be used when playing football, but who will do it with a phone in their pocket? That's why I miss the built-in GPS in the band here.

Mi Fit also collects information about our physical activity in the form of PAI points from the band. Xiaomi recommends keeping PAI at over 100 points, and this value depends on our physical activity. Unfortunately, how it is calculated is not very clear, so it is difficult to assess the usefulness of this indicator. The band can also monitor our stress level and sleep quality continuously. How reliable the data is, it is also difficult for me to judge, the Huawei Band 6 had similar results, so either they have a similar measurement method, or there is actually something to it. The SpO2 sensor also allows you to measure the quality of breathing during sleep, which can be useful for people at risk of e.g. sleep apnea.

In the application, we can choose from a number of settings regarding the band itself, which directly translate into its battery life. There are quite a few possibilities, including the choice of applications from which we want to receive notifications on the band.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 - is it worth changing the Mi Band 5?

Mi Smart Band 6 will surely be of great interest and there are many reasons for this. After 3 weeks of use, I got used to the fact that I have to connect the band to the charger more often and this is a kind of disadvantage, but 5 days is still an acceptable result. The more that the charging itself does not take too long, from 15% at which the low battery alarm appears to full charge, it takes just over an hour. At the same time, these 15% of batteries successfully give us practically a whole day of work, should the need arise.

At the same time, you get used to the better screen in version 6. Until you try it, you will not get the impression that you are losing something in relation to the model 5. In fact, it seems to me that the screen is the most important change in this model, the SpO2 measurement is just a small addition , although it works quite well. It gives similar measurements to the Yonex finger pulse oximeter. A larger display means not only more information on the main screen, but above all, more readable notifications. This gives a lot of comfort and makes me use my smartphone less and less. It also eliminates the problem of the lack of a notification LED on the smartphone itself, which has been a bit of a problem for me since switching from OnePlus 3 to OnePlus 7T.

When it comes to fitness functions, contrary to appearances, I do not see much difference from its predecessor. In theory, the Mi Smart Band 6 can measure more different activities, but I think Xiaomi should focus more on accuracy than on quantity. In this respect, there are practically no differences, and it seems to me that both bands slightly exceed the number of calories burned. To sum up, switching from the Mi Band 5 to the model marked with the number 6 does not make much sense, unless you really care about a larger display. If this GPS module was added in this way, I would be much more convinced of this change.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 - summary

To sum up, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 is just an evolution, not a revolution. Mi Band 5 owners are unlikely to be convinced to change, but people using older versions of Xioami bands can find several reasons to change. For them, however, the battery life may be a shock, in older versions of Xiaomi it promised up to 30 days, now it promises 14, but in practice it is closer to 5-7 days depending on your activity. There is also the issue of price, nearly PLN 200 is a lot, PLN 140 that I paid practically on the day of starting sales in China sounds much better. As always, the choice is yours.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6

Approximate price: ~ 200 PLN

+ Same size as Mi Band 5 + Large AMOLED display + Attractive price + SpO2 measurement + Tracking many different activities + Interchangeable straps compatible with Mi Band 5

- Short battery life - No GPS - Limited notification options