Technologies are developing very quickly, a few years ago we were completely satisfied when the Mi Band fitness bracelet counted heart rate, steps and measured sleep quality, and today we already want to be able to make purchases with its help. And we get upset when the Mi Band 6 bracelet is not capable of this.
Are we spoiled, or did Xiaomi marketers first lure us with the wonders of technology, and then deprive us of them, and even though we received a new generation of fitness bracelet, we were still not completely satisfied?
Preliminary Specifications and Features
Xiaomi is betting big on the Mi Band 6 model. The device is not only modernized externally, but also equipped with new functionality.
NFC module
NFC is a technology that allows you to make contactless payments from the balance of a bank card linked to your device.
In Russia, the opportunity to use contactless payment using Mi Band appeared in 2022, when a special 4th generation version with official NFC support was released to the international market. However, this happened a year after the release of Mi Band 4 with support for this technology in China. Read in more detail about contactless payment for Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 4 NFC in Russia with Mastercard bank cards.
The fifth generation of the bracelet was presented in June 2022, but we did not see a version with NFC working outside of China even at the beginning of 2022, that is, even six months after the release of Mi Band 5 on the Chinese market.
As for NFC technology in the Mi Band 6, the version for the Chinese market will definitely have it right away, but in the global version it will most likely be available, but most likely only a few months after the device’s release. And some publications talk about supporting contactless payment all over the world.
ECG
Nowadays, you won’t surprise anyone with the option of measuring heart rate with an electronic wearable gadget. Many fitness bracelets or electronic watches show accurate data about a person’s health and well-being. In addition, previous versions of Mi Band also provided an innovative "stress level measurement" function, which is popular among people exploring their body and monitoring their well-being.
It is expected that Xiaomi developers will introduce an ECG function into the Mi Band 6, since it is necessary for many users of different ages.
SpO2 - control of oxygen levels in the blood
Previously, Xiaomi announced its intention to introduce a sensor to monitor blood oxygen levels in the Mi Band Smart 5 model. However, with the release of this generation, users did not receive an innovation in the form of the SpO2 function.
At the beginning of 2022, information was published on the pages of many authoritative online publications that in the 6th generation of the fitness bracelet, Xiaomi will still delight fans of its products with a built-in heart rate monitor.
GPS
To implement this module, it is necessary to allocate additional space in the capsule, which is difficult to achieve due to the small size of the device. The likelihood that navigation will appear in the new generation of bracelets is extremely small, but still this possibility should not be denied.
Improvements in the functioning of the vibration motor
Messages from social networks, notifications about the number of steps taken, heart rate information and all other notifications from the gadget will be reproduced by the new Xiaomi Mi Haptic vibration motor. It provides the ability to adjust the frequency and strength of vibration by connecting the bracelet to a mobile phone. The same functionality is implemented in the Apple Watch smartwatch.
The new vibration motor supports more than 100 different vibration responses. For a particular event, for example, a timer going off or achieving a goal in steps, the user can set a specific vibration. Thus, even without looking at the gadget’s screen, you can understand what notification was received.
Microphone
Previous versions of Mi Band do not have a microphone with which you can give voice commands to the device. For example, set an alarm, activate an application, or request information about the weather forecast.
The voice assistant has already been seen in a device that Xiaomi was developing together with its subsidiary Huami. It is quite possible that the function will be fully available in Mi Band 6.
Barometric altimeter
A useful feature for those who prefer active recreation. The built-in device measures the height and pressure level in the air.
This feature was expected in fitness trackers even with the release of the 4th version of the Mi Band. However, the company never implemented it. According to rumors, this innovation may appear in Xiaomi Mi Band 6.
Improvements to the smart alarm clock
In the new generation, the company focuses on the user’s sleep and rest phase. It is expected that the bracelet will collect information about the quality of sleep, and after a certain period of time will be able to automatically determine the active phases of your sleep and more accurately calculate the optimal time for awakening and activity.
Mi Health program
The company continues to focus on user health and has developed the innovative Mi Health app. When compared with Mi Fit, this application provides more detailed data on the duration and quality of sleep, as well as the menstrual cycle.
Similarly, all other widgets, such as pedometer, calories burned and distance traveled can also be displayed in the modernized utility.
Other functions
The Chinese smart bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 6 will be equipped with functions such as 24-hour heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, pedometer, sedentary reminder, inactivity reminder and many other options that have already become standard for such devices.
Autonomy
Some technology experts are inclined to believe that in the 6th version of the watch, Xiaomi may keep the battery from the Mi Band 5, since it has proven itself well. Magnetic contacts were installed in the gadget, which speed up charging time and prevent power outages.
As for battery life, with normal use the gadget can last about 18 days, and in standby mode up to 30 days.
Global version of Xiaomi Mi Band 6 and Chinese version with NFC - differences
In China, they additionally offer a version with support for contactless payments and the Xiaomi Xiao AI voice assistant. Used to control smart home devices. This review focuses on the global version and these functions are not included in it.
Moreover, there is no point in purchasing the version with NFC. Supports payment in China only.
To activate and further use the gadget, you need a phone running the operating system:
- Android 5.0.
- iOS 10.0.
Design
Previous generations of the Mi Band smart bracelet
So far, the manufacturer has not demonstrated the appearance of the device. But trusted sources indicate that there is no need to expect drastic changes in the design.
According to preliminary data, the gadget will be equipped with a 1.2-inch OLED display. The resolution will most likely remain the same - 180 by 360 pixels. There are also rumors that the device can have a resolution of 153 by 321 pixels and the screen will be very clear even in bright daylight. In the settings you can choose the text color from 12 possible.
The design of Mi Band 6 may be affected by the use of a larger battery or the introduction of new technologies. For example, Mi Band 5 received a large capsule due to which the straps of previous generations are no longer suitable. In return, the manufacturer has expanded the color range of the devices, which is most likely expected in the new generation of fitness bracelets.
As before, the device will be equipped with protection from dust and moisture. It can be submerged to a depth of up to 50 m.
You can connect the device to a smartphone using Bluetooth 5.1 LE, the range of which exceeds 35 m.
Appearance
Don't expect a radical update in the appearance of the bracelet. It will still be the same capsule in a replaceable strap made of silicone rubber. Except that in the fifth generation they changed the design of the charger - now you don’t need to take out the bracelet.
You can expect the newest device to have the same design. But it will become more precise when insiders publish “leaked” photos or even a review.
release date
As of the first quarter of 2022, Xiaomi has not published information about the official release date of the Mi Band 6 fitness bracelet. However, by analyzing the release dates of devices of previous generations, you can indicate an approximate date.
As you can see, devices are mainly presented in the summer. Accordingly, if the company continues to adhere to the regular frequency, then we can expect a new version of the bracelet as early as June 2021.
Activation of Mi Band 6
You should start by activating the gadget in the application, which must be installed on your smartphone. You need to bring the turned on bracelet to your mobile device. The search will be performed automatically.
You will need to confirm the request to link to your phone on the fitness bracelet.
If you previously used the previous version - Mi Smart Band 5 - the software will offer to stop it.
The accompanying application allows you to configure both the bracelet and the software installed on the phone to control the gadget.
The store offers watch faces. More than a hundred, mostly themed with anime characters.
Accuracy of measurements
You shouldn’t pin your hopes on a fitness tracker that costs plus or minus 3,000 rubles—it counts activity and that’s okay. However, compared to the previous generation (I only have Mi Band 4), there is a difference.
Judging by the data, both trackers may have a noticeable error. On the first day one mi-band runs ahead, and on the second another - the indicators are always different and depend on a million factors.
Band 6 Band 4
6 4
Functionality of Mi Band 6
Messages are provided for calls, incoming email, SMS and notifications from applications that are installed on the phone. The bracelet has an integrated alarm clock.
Notifications do not imply that you can answer a call or message from the bracelet. What’s cool is the ability to display notifications from any application installed on your phone. This functionality brings the device a little closer to a smart watch.
However, a number of smart options are implemented, and the most important ones. Without approaching the phone, the user can reject an incoming call. You can also take a photo with your phone camera.
The user determines how in-depth health monitoring he needs. Including whether it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of stress and the quality of breathing during sleep.
To update software, resources or fonts, you need to bring the bracelet to the phone on which the application is installed.
The application shows the user's recent activities. Including the number of steps taken and sleep indicators last night. In the “Training” section, you select the type of physical activity. The smartphone screen displays indicators in real time.
The set of applications is optimally selected. Alarm clock, stopwatch, timer, event log, device search and camera control. You can control music on your smartphone. Installation of third-party applications is not provided.
In the previous model, a button below the display opened the main screen. In Mi Band 6, moving between screens is done by swiping. The gadget’s touchscreen does not always respond to swipes instantly. Sometimes it lags a little.
The battery capacity was not brought into line with the noticeably enlarged display. As before, it is 125 mAh. When the vital health tracking functionality is activated, the battery loses about one-fifth of its charge per day. 24/7 heart rate, stress and sleep monitoring are included.
In general, the approach is correct. A more capacious battery would lead to the need to make the module more massive. As a result, the gadget would lose a significant part of its appeal.
The design allows you not to remove the module from the strap in order to replenish the gadget with energy. This takes approximately two hours.
Sports, fitness and outdoor games
Supports 30 types of loads - sports exercises and games:
- treadmill;
- freestyle;
- running in the fresh air;
- a ride on the bicycle;
- walking;
- swimming in the pool;
- rowing machine;
- elliptical trainer;
- indoor cycling;
- yoga;
- jump rope;
- dancing;
- indoor fitness;
- gymnastics;
- HIIT (high intensity interval training);
- basic training;
- stretching;
- bowling;
- badminton;
- boxing;
- Stepper;
- Pilates;
- basketball;
- volleyball;
- table tennis;
- cricket;
- skating;
- kickboxing;
- Street dance;
- Zumba.
You must install it manually, except for six that are automatically recognized by the gadget:
- a ride on the bicycle;
- orbitrek;
- running on a treadmill;
- running in the fresh air;
- walking;
- rowing.
Mi Band 5 supports almost three times fewer types of loads - 11.
