Xiaomi has already developed an enormous fanbase relating to health trackers, and that is fully comprehensible. In spite of everything, the Mi Band meets the entire important necessities for a health wearable at an especially engaging worth level. On this submit, we wish to elaborate on how final yr’s Mi Band 5 compares to the present Mi Band 6.
First issues first: loads of issues have remained comparable and even equivalent when it comes to perform in addition to design, and but the Mi Band 6 does have an ace or two up its sleeves in comparison with its predecessor. Therefore, allow us to focus on much less about their similarities and extra in regards to the variations. Earlier than doing so, nevertheless, I would prefer to refer you to our detailed evaluations, through which I took a deep dive at every of the 2 fashions individually.
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 overview: High drawer health tracker
Xiaomi Mi Band 6 overview: The king is lifeless, lengthy dwell the king!
Design and dealing with
When it comes to high quality, Xiaomi has maintained the excessive degree of workmanship. This was undoubtedly one thing that I didn’t count on, actually talking. The wristband of the Mi Band 6 continues to be product of silicone, and it feels very snug sporting it as a result of light-weight nature of the fabric (roughly 24 grams), making you actually neglect that you’re sporting the health tracker within the first place.
When positioned side-by-side, these two fashions may actually be twins at first look, as the form and dimensions have skilled very minimally modifications. A optimistic growth from that is the power to make use of wristbands from the Mi Band 5 with the Mi Band 6. Nevertheless, there’s one stark distinction that has a major affect on the operation of the health tracker - the capacitive button situated beneath has disappeared within the Mi Band 6.
That button was helpful to carry the consumer instantly again to the house display screen within the predecessor. With the brand new mannequin, you’ll solely give you the chance to take action by means of swipe gestures and tapping on the show. It undoubtedly took me some getting used to at first, as I used to be already so used to the button getting the job achieved for me.
However upon getting warmed as much as the Mi Band 6, it will not be too lengthy earlier than you rapidly alter your self to the change in operation. Due to this fact, I cannot depend this cost to be a drawback, however an adjustment at most!
Show
Even in the event you had been to mourn this button slightly, it’s best to consider as to why Xiaomi determined to get rid of it. Xiaomi determined to considerably improve the dimensions of the show from 1.1-inches to 1.56-inches, and the house gained by eradicating the button allowed it to take action. This is not simply an incremental enchancment, however it is extremely noticeable in on a regular basis use.

When it comes to show brightness, the 450 nits brightness was already completely sufficient within the Mi Band 5, however the small font made it quite tough to learn the whole lot at instances. This case has been rectified within the successor regardless that it has an equivalent degree of brightness, as a bigger show means higher legibility.
As well as, the decision has been elevated from 126 x 294 pixels within the Mi Band 5 to 152 x 486 pixels now. For those who really favored the Mi Band 5 however struggled with the small font like me, you will undoubtedly be happier by selecting up the Mi Band 6.
Sensors and have set
Let us take a look at what’s modified functionally: Xiaomi has solely made minor enhancements on this division, with the one completely new addition as the power to trace your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 measurement) ranges. This was a a lot sought-after function which is already obtainable in a few of its rivals.

Personally, this oxygen content material monitoring in a single’s blood will not be notably necessary to me, however that is for everybody else to guage. It is very important be aware that such measurements are typically solely appropriate as a tough information and doesn’t substitute the accuracy of specialised medical tools. Values between 80 and 100% could be recorded, though usually a worth within the excessive 90s needs to be recorded - something lower than that and also you’re in well being bother, buddy.
What else is new? Actually, not a lot. You join the health tracker utilizing the Mi Match app as typical, and it presents largely unchanged visuals. With the Mi Band 5, Xiaomi got here up with 11 supported sports activities modes. On this division, the Chinese language tech large added a number of extra classes, bringing it as much as a grand complete of 30 sports activities modes. There are some sports activities like basketball or desk tennis, with Xiaomi additionally together with health and HIIT now, along with dance workouts equivalent to Zumba and avenue dance.
On this division, you’ll have to resolve for your self in case you are already a Mi Band 5 proprietor. If SpO2 measurement is a fully necessary function for you, or in case your favourite sport is now supported, then it’s value making the swap. In any other case, the variations are negligible that it will do you no hurt in any respect to stay with the earlier yr’s mannequin.
Is battery life the essential distinction?
Apparently, one necessary distinction could be an especially frequent function. The battery as soon as once more carries the very same capability at 125 mAh. With the Mi Band 5, Xiaomi said that this health tracker may last as long as 14 days earlier than requiring a cost. Nevertheless, this was solely attainable with the Mi Band 5 in the event you didn’t use the tracker with all of its options turned on - together with receiving each single notification, et al.

With the Mi Band 6, Xiaomi listed a 14-day battery life as soon as once more, however one should consider that that is with a show that’s 50 % bigger. I used to be capable of obtain about ten days with the Mi Band 5, and between 7 and eight days with the Mi Band 6.
Nevertheless, the battery life will clearly rely upon the utilization sample of the person, together with the kinds of capabilities enabled. With an equivalent sample of use, you’ll have to dwell with the truth that the Mi Band 6 ought to run out of juice roughly two days earlier in comparison with the Mi Band 5.
Personally, I am much less involved if I’ve to cost the health tracker after eight days as an alternative of ten. But when that performs an necessary function for you, you also needs to take that into your improve consideration.
Conclusion
Allow us to summarize this comparability and (hopefully) draw a conclusion. Mainly, we all know this a lot: Each fashions are high class health trackers with a sexy worth, and due to this fact you should purchase each fashions with out lacking a beat. The Mi Band 6, for instance, is at the moment obtainable at Amazon for $44.90.
Its predecessor is already obtainable at Amazon for $10 much less at $33.54.
In fact, you will additionally should resolve for your self whether or not this tiny worth distinction is necessary to you when shopping for a brand new gadget. SpO2 measurement and the extra sports activities modes may tip the stability in favor of the newer gadget right here. Personally, I really feel that the considerably bigger show alone could be sufficient for me to choose up the Mi Band 6.
As for the battery life, the Mi Band 5’s longevity may swing the pendulum again in its favor, similar to the presence of a capacitive button. As soon as once more, it’s my private opinion: Each usually are not so necessary for me that I would like the Mi Band 5 to the Mi Band 6.
However is it value upgrading now?
As for individuals who already personal the Mi Band 5, what now? Except you’ve points with the smaller font and see no added worth in measuring your blood oxygen saturation, there aren’t actually many causes to improve. Some omissions equivalent to lacking GPS, NFC solely within the Chinese language model, stay, so in that case it is best to only await the Mi Band 7.
You may already see that the choice for one of many two health trackers may be very a lot associated to non-public use. It due to this fact makes loads of sense for us to ask you ways would you resolve.
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