Xiaomi’s sixth generation smart bracelet hit the Chinese market. The model brings improvements in terms of functionality, with more options for monitoring physical activities, but maintains the design of the previous generation, with one or the other difference. The first, and most noticeable, is the 1.56-inch AMOLED screen, larger than the previous generation, with optimized resolution of 152 by 486 pixels offers 326 pixel density per inch (ppi).
When placed side by side, the models are very similar, although the Mi Band 5 has only one color option (black), while the new smartband presents greater diversity, being possible to find it in black, orange, yellow, blue, dark green and white.
Let’s look at what changes between Mi Band 6 vs Mi Band 5 in addition to the same design to find out which is the most interesting smarband option.
Pros and Cons
| Mi Band 5 | Mi Band 6 |
| Mostly accurate heart rate sensor | Affordable price |
| Improved charger with 14-day battery life | Lots of sports tracking modes |
| Good display | Good battery life |
| Useful smart features | Bigger, colorful display |
| Mi Fit app needs refining | Sleep tracking can be off |
| NFC, voice assistant, pulse ox unavailable outside of China | No NFC, voice assistant outside China |
Technical Specifications
| Mi Band 5 | Mi Band 6 | |
| | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Xiaomi | Xiaomi |
| Display | 1.1-inch AMOLED coloured | 1.56-inch AMOLED coloured |
| Compatible OS | Android v4.4, iOS 9.0 or above | Android v4.4, iOS 9.0 or above |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphones | Smartphones |
| Box Contents | Fitness Band, Charging Cable, Warranty Card, User Manual | Fitness Band, User Manual, Warranty Card |
| Battery Life | 20 days | 14 days |
| Wireless Charging | Magnetic Charging | Magnetic Charging |
| StandBy Time | 21 days | 21 days |
| Body Material | Plastic | Aluminium |
| Shape Surface | Rectangle | Rectangular, Flat |
| Clock Face | Digital | Digital |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Dust Resistance | Yes | Yes |
What changes between Xiaomi smart wristbands?
The main difference in the appearance of the two Xiaomi wristbands is the display, which on the Mi Band 6 changes to AMOLED with 1.56 inches, while the bracelet from the previous generation has a Super AMOLED of 1.1 inches.
The bracelet remains the same, made with silicone and comes with a rounded box to store it, however the new version has more color options than the previous one. Xiaomi will also make available more than 130 new dials for the Mi Band 6.
Regarding the sensors, the Mi Band 6 has almost the same as the last one, with heart rate monitoring, gyroscope and accelerometer. The novelty is due to an Sp02 sensor that measures the levels of oxygen in the blood, as well as the 19 new modes of sports activity and extra protection against immersion in water up to 50 meters.
There is nothing new about the battery, which keeps the 14 days of life out of the socket, and the magnetic charging is the same. Just place it in the dock to start charging.
The Mi Band 6 costs around 50 USD in the global version.
Activity Monitoring
| Mi Band 5 | Mi Band 6 | |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Steps Count | Yes | Yes |
| Calorie Meter | Yes | Yes |
| Reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm Clock | Yes | Yes |
| Text Message Notify | Yes | Yes |
| Incoming Call Notify | Yes | Yes |
| Meters and sensors | Pedometer, Heart Rate Monitor,Calorie Count, Step Count, Sleep Monitor | Pedometer, Heart Rate Monitor,Calorie Count, Step Count, Sleep Monitor |
Most of the sensors already present in the Mi Band 5 remain in the sixth generation, such as a gyroscope and three-axis accelerometer each and heart rate monitoring. The big news of Mi Smartband 6 is the presence of the Sp02 sensor, which measures the level of oxygen saturation or the levels of oxygen in the blood.
The battery of the Mi Smartband 6 also follows the same as the previous generation, with a promise of up to 14 days of autonomy. The bracelet charges in the same way as the Mi Band 5, that is, simply place the device in the magnetic charging dock, without having to remove the case from the bracelet.
Like many smart bracelets on sale, the Mi Smartband has several exercise monitoring options – 30 modes, to be more exact. There are 19 more than in the previous generation, including zumba, kickboxing and basketball. The launch also provides protection against immersion in water up to 50 meters deep (5 ATM) and monitoring of menstrual cycle.
Smart Features
| Mi Band 5 | Mi Band 6 | |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 | Yes, 5.0 |
| Find My Phone | No | No |
| Make Call | No | No |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Social Integration | No | No |
| Goal Setting | No | No |
