When choosing a first activity tracker or upgrading wearables, users often face a dilemma: what to choose, Xiaomi-branded products or Amazfit devices? At first glance, it seems that these are direct competitors that share the same segment of budget and mid-budget gadgets. However, the real situation with corporate structure and software is much more confusing and interesting than the simple rivalry of the two companies.
Both brands come from the same ecosystem, but their paths and target audiences are very different. The key difference is not so much hardware, but software, dials, and depth of smartphone integration. If you're confused about model names and don't understand why some watches are called Mi Band and others are called GTR, this article will help you put it all together.
We'll look at the architecture of the devices in detail, compare the functionality, and answer the question of whether you should overpay for a brand or take a more specialized device, and understanding these nuances will save you money and get the gadget that fits perfectly into your lifestyle, whether it's professional sports or tracking health steps.
Corporate structure and origin of brands
To understand the difference between Amazfit and Xiaomi, we need to look at the history of their creation: in fact, both brands are owned by the same parent company, Huami Technology (now Zepp Health), which is the company that designs and manufactures wearable electronics, which then sells under different names. Xiaomi acts as a customer and partner, placing the Mi or Xiaomi logo on devices created by Huami engineers.
This collaboration has led to the fact that the technical “stuffing” of devices is often identical: the pulse sensors, accelerometers, screens and processors in the Amazfit Bip and Xiaomi Mi Band models can be absolutely the same. The differences begin at the level of marketing, body design and, most importantly, software. Xiaomi focuses on the mass consumer, offering simple and affordable solutions, while Amazfit is positioned as a more independent and technological brand with a focus on sports.
⚠️ Note: When buying devices, it is important to consider that service support and warranty service may differ. Xiaomi branded gadgets are often served in official partner centers, whereas Amazfit may require contacting specialized electronics distributors.
Over the years, the strategy has been divided, with the Mi Band evolving into narrow fitness bracelets, and Amazfit taking over the niche of full-fledged smartwatches with round screens and metal cases. Huami is now launching products under its own name Amazfit for the global market, gradually moving away from using the Xiaomi brand in new watches.
💡
Both brands are produced by the same company Huami (Zepp Health), but Amazfit is positioned as a more premium and independent brand with enhanced functionality, while Xiaomi is focused on the mass market and accessibility.
Design, form factor and materials of the case
The visual difference is obvious even when you look at it. Xiaomi devices, especially the Mi Band series, are traditionally made in the form factor of a fitness tracker. It's a narrow capsule with a touch screen that is attached to a silin strap. The design is minimalistic, the materials are predominantly plastic and polycarbonate, which makes them lightweight and almost imperceptible on the hand.
In turn, the Amazfit watches are more often classic round or square smart watches. The range includes the GTR (round) and GTS (square) series, which use more expensive materials: stainless steel, aluminum alloy, ceramic bezel rings and sapphire glass in top models, which gives them the appearance of a full-fledged accessory that is suitable for wearing a business suit or sports uniform.
The difference is also the change of straps. For the Xiaomi Mi Band, the straps are changed by removing the tracker capsule, which is not always convenient to do often. Amazfit uses standard mounts (often 20 mm or 22 mm), which allows you to instantly change the style of the device, installing leather, metal or textile straps. This gives you a huge freedom in customizing the appearance of the gadge.
While Xiaomi’s budget trackers typically have splash and sweat protection (standard 5 ATM), the flagship Amazfits often meet the MIL-STD-810G military strength standards, withstanding shocks, temperature swings and deep dives, making them more suitable for extreme operating conditions.
Software: Zepp vs Mi Fitness
The most critical difference that a user will face is software, which has historically been managed by different applications, although there has been a trend toward unification lately. Traditionally, Xiaomi’s ecosystem is tied to Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life), which is characterized by a spartan interface, minimalism and no unnecessary features, focusing only on basic statistics.
Amazfit devices run Zepp OS and require the installation of Zepp. It is a much more powerful platform that offers:
- 🎨 Huge dial store with the possibility of deep adjustment of complications.
- 📊 Advanced Sleep, Stress and Recovery Analytics (PAI).
- 🏃♂️ Advanced sports modes with route mapping.
- 🔌 Support for third-party mini-applications and widgets.
It’s important to understand that cross-compatibility is limited. You can’t use an Amazfit watch with full functionality through the Mi Home or Mi Fitness app, and vice versa. Zepp OS provides smoother animation, support for Always-On Display with smart features, and the ability to install memory cards for music in some models, which simple trackers do not.
⚠️ Note: When you switch from Xiaomi bracelet to Amazfit, your data will not automatically be transferred between the Zepp and Mi Fitness apps. These are two different databases, and your activity history will have to be re-collected or you will have to use third-party aggregators like Google Fit or Apple Health to sync.
In addition, Zepp OS has been receiving regular updates with new features, dials and interface improvements for several years.The Xiaomi tracker software is updated less frequently and is mainly about bug fixes or adding new languages, but does not bring revolutionary changes to the functionality.
Functional capabilities and sports modes
When we talk about the difference in functionality, Amazfit wins in most respects thanks to the more powerful hardware. While basic features like pedometer, pulsemeter and call notification are everywhere, advanced metrics are available mainly in older watches.
In the Amazfit models (series) GTR, T-Rex, Cheetah is often found built-in GPS-module (GNSS). This allows you to run or ride a bike without a phone, recording the exact route.The Xiaomi Mi Band bracelets received GPS Only in the latest versions (starting with the 6th and 7th models), and the positioning accuracy they often give way to full-fledged watch modules.
☑️ Choice criteria for sport
The list of sports modes in Amazfit includes more than 120 activities, including triathlon, skiing, snowboarding and swimming in open water. BioTracker algorithms provide high accuracy measurements even under intense loads. Xiaomi set of modes is standard, and algorithms can be delayed when a sudden change of heart rate.
Also worth mentioning are smart health features: Amazfit is implementing blood oxygen (SpO2) measurements, heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and fitness assessments. While Xiaomi has long been limited to basic steps and sleep phases count, although the gap is narrowing in the latest models.
Autonomy and working time
One of the big things both brands have to offer is autonomy. But there are some nuances to this. Xiaomi bracelets are known for their phenomenal survivability. With their monochrome or simple AMOLED screens, small size, and no power-hungry features, they can last 14 to 20 days on a single charge in base mode.
With bright AMOLED displays and constantly working sensors, Amazfit also performs well, but is inferior to bracelets. The average running time is 7-12 days in smartwatch mode. If you turn on the Always-On Display mode or active use of GPS, the time is reduced to 2-4 days, which is still significantly better than the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch.
For comparison of the main indicators of autonomy and characteristics, we turn to the table:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi Band (7/8) | Amazfit GTR / GTS | Amazfit T-Rex (Series) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED / Memory LCD |
| Working hours (type) | 14 days | 12 days | 24 days |
| Built-in GPS | Optionally. | There are (mostly) | There (Two-band) |
| Charging. | Removable tracker | Magnetic | Magnetic |
⚠️ Attention: Real-time is highly variable. Including constant pulse measurements (every 1 minute), instant messenger notifications and screen brightness above 50% can cut the manufacturer's stated Amazfit life by half.
It is worth noting that the Amazfit T-Rex series is created specifically for extremes and has a record autonomy, sometimes exceeding the performance of even simple bracelets, due to the use of energy-efficient screens and optimized software.
Compatibility and ecosystem constraints
When choosing between Amazfit and Xiaomi, it’s important to consider which phone you plan to use them with. Both brands support both Android and iOS. However, the functionality on the iPhone can be reduced. For example, answering calls (talking hours after hours) is only possible on Android, and on iOS, only a call reset.
Integration with the smart home also varies. Xiaomi is deeply integrated into the Mi Home ecosystem. If you have many Xiaomi smart home devices (lamps, sockets, cleaners), then the Mi Band bracelet can act as a control panel or scene automatizer. Amazfit also knows how to manage devices, but it requires customization through third-party services or using the Zepp platform, which may be less intuitive.
Working with NFC and Payment
For users who value openness, Amazfit offers more features through the Amaztools platform or third-party dials. You can create your own designs, download maps for navigation and customize notifications with any depth of detail. Xiaomi in this regard is a more closed system where “works and fine”.
Final comparison and selection recommendations
To sum up, the choice is your priorities: If you want the lightest, most subtle tracker possible for basic activity, sleep and notification control, and you don’t want to think about charging for two weeks, the Xiaomi Mi Band remains the king of the budget segment.
If you’re looking for a device that looks like a stylish watch, has a metal body, a full screen, built-in GPS for running without a phone and advanced health analytics, Amazfit is the uncontested leader in this price range. The price difference is fully justified by the quality of materials and the breadth of functionality.
Remember to check the relevance of models, as the wearable electronics market is updated annually.New versions of OS can add features to older devices, but it is better to focus on fresh releases for maximum compatibility.
💡
When buying an Amazfit watch, look for the Global or China version. (Global) already has Russian in the menu and box, as well as pre-installed maps for your region. The Chinese version (CN) often has to refashion or put up with the English/Chinese language interface.
Ultimately, both brands offer great value for money, and the key is to be clear about what kind of experience you want: minimalism and autonomy, or style and technology.