Fitness bracelets Xiaomi Mi Band has long become a legend among wearable electronics. 2014 The series has gone from a simple pedometer to a full-fledged smart device with a AMOLED-display, GPS But how do you not get lost in the variety of models? 3 still sold for 1500 Rubles, and Mi Band 8 s NFC stand-in 3-4 More than once, is it worth paying?
In this guide, we will compare all the current models (including the Mi Band 7 Pro and Smart Band 8 Pro), analyze their key differences and help you choose the best option for your tasks, and tell you what hidden features you should pay attention to when buying – they are often not mentioned in advertising reviews, for example, why the Mi Band 6 is still popular among athletes, despite the release of new versions.
1.A Brief History of the Evolution of Xiaomi Mi Band: From 1 to 8 Generations
The first Mi Band (2014) was revolutionary - for 99 yuan (about 1000 rubles at the then exchange rate), users received a pedometer with a vibrator motor and 30-day autonomy. 1S with a pulseometer, and in 2016 - Mi Band 2 with OLED-And so the function race started:
- 📅 2018 – Mi Band 3 gets touch screen and water protection 5 ATM, That allowed you to swim with a bracelet.
- 🩺 2020 – Mi Band 5 tracks menstrual cycle and stress levels, and gets magnetic charging.
- 🏃 2021 – Mi Band 6 is released AMOLED-Always-On display with 30 sports modes.
- 🌍 2022 – Mi Band 7 and 7 Pro add built-in GPS 150 support+ face-piece.
- 💡 2023 – Smart Band 8 and 8 Pro get smart sleep recognition and Zepp compatibility OS (smartwatch).
Interestingly, despite the release of new models, the Mi Band 6 is still the best-selling version in Russia, due to the optimal price-to-function ratio, but the Mi Band 4 (2019) is already outdated and not recommended for purchase.
Comparative table of all models Xiaomi Mi Band (2026)
| Model | Display. | Autonomy | GPS | NFC | Price (₽) | Better for... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 3 | OLED, 0.78" | 20 days | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | 1 200–1 800 | Budgeted sleep monitoring |
| Mi Band 5 | AMOLED, 1.1" | 14 days | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (in version) NFC) | 2 000–2 500 | Payments and basic fitness |
| Mi Band 6 | AMOLED, 1.56" | 14 days | ❌ No. | ✅ There is (NFC) | 2 500–3 200 | Sport and bright screen |
| Mi Band 7 | AMOLED, 1.62" | 15 days | ❌ No. | ✅ There is (NFC) | 3 000–3 800 | Accurate tracking of training |
| Smart Band 8 | AMOLED, 1.62" | 16 days | ❌ No. | ✅ There is (NFC) | 3 500–4 500 | Health and stylish design |
| Smart Band 8 Pro | AMOLED, 1.74" | 14 days | ✅ Built-in | ✅ There is. | 5 000–6 000 | Professional sports |
⚠️ Note: Autonomy is indicated for the mode with the Always-On Display disabled (AOD). When used actively (notifications, AOD, Frequent training) is reduced by 30-40%, such as Mi Band 8 Pro with on GPS and AOD discharge in 3-4 days.
3.Which Mi Band is best for sports and fitness?
If your goal is to monitor your workouts accurately, look at three key parameters:
- The number of sports modes is from 6 in the Mi Band 3 to 150+ in the Smart Band 8 Pro.
- Pulsemeter accuracy - in new models used PPG-4th generation sensor with improved noise filtering.
- GPS availability – only the Smart Band 8 Pro has a built-in module (in other models, GPS works via a smartphone).
🔹 For running and cycling: Optimal Smart Band 8 Pro - it captures the route without a phone and analyzes recovery after a load. Alternative - Mi Band 7 with an external heart rate sensor (buyed separately).
🔹 All models starting with the Mi Band 3 protect 5 ATM, Mi Band 6/7/8 Swimming styles (crop, brass) are better recognized and considered SWOLF (stroke-efficiency).
🔹 For yoga and Pilates: Even the Mi Band 5 is good, it tracks your breathing and offers relaxation programs. Smart Band 8 adds animations for exercises right on the screen.
Compare the number of sports regimes|Ensure that water protection is available 5 ATM|Check compatibility with external sensors (e.g. chest pulsemeter)|Evaluate the comfort of the strap when sweating-->
4.Mi Band with NFC: Should you overpay?
The NFC module in Xiaomi fitness bracelets performs two functions:
- Contactless payments through Mi Pay (works with banks Tinkoff, Sber, VTB, etc.).
- Emulation of transport cards (for example, Troika or Strelka in Moscow).
📌 Important nuances:
- 💳 Mi Band 5/6/7/8 support NFC, but only in the Chinese version (global models - no) NFC). To activate payments, you need to flash a bracelet on Chinese firmware.
- 🚇 For transport cards, a separate setting is required in the Mi Fitness app (instruction below).
- 🔋 NFC Increases battery consumption by 10 to 15 percent, such as the Mi Band 6. NFC Works for 10-12 days instead of 14.
⚠️ Note: If you are buying a bracelet with NFC on AliExpress or Wildberries, check with the seller the region of firmware! bracelets with Chinese firmware may not support Russian out of the box - you will need to manually change the region in the settings.
How to set up a transport card on Mi Band with NFC
5. Design and convenience: which strap and body to choose?
The appearance of the Mi Band has evolved from plastic bricks to premium materials.
🔹 Strap material:
- 🧴 Silicone (all models) - light, but gets dirty and can cause irritation when sweating.
- 🧵 Fabric (option for Mi Band) 6/7/8) — breathable.
- 💎 Metal (Smart Band 8 Pro only) – stylish, but heavier by 30%.
🔹 Screen size: From 0.78" (Mi Band 3) before 1.74" (Smart Band 8 Pro) The best option — 1.56"–1.62" (Like the Mi Band. 6/7/8), Smaller screens are inconvenient to read notifications, and larger increases the size of the bracelet.
🔹 Colors: Basic versions are usually black, but Smart Band 8 is available in 6 colors (including gold and pink).Please note that colored cases can cost 500-1000 rubles more.
💡 Tip: If you sleep with a bracelet, choose a flat-body model (Mi Band) 5/6) — They're less clinging to the blanket. 8 Pro has a convex screen, which can be uncomfortable for sleep.
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To make the strap last longer, wash it once a month with soapy water and rub it with alcohol. Silicone straps can be lubricated with talc, this will prevent rubbing on the skin.
6. Autonomy and charging: how to extend the life of the battery?
Official data on autonomy are often overstated, and actual operating time depends on:
- 📱 Notification frequencies (each vibrational alert eats 1-2% of the charge).
- 🌙 Always-On Display (reduces autonomy by 40%).
- 🏃 Intensity of training (GPS and the pulsemeter in real time discharge the battery in 6-8 hours).
📊 Real autonomy (tests 2026):
| Model | Without AOD, rare workouts | With AOD, daily workouts |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 5 | 12-14 days | 5-7 days |
| Mi Band 6 | 10-12 days | 4-6 days |
| Smart Band 8 Pro | 8-10 days | 3-4 days |
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi bracelets use proprietary charging cables. If you lose the original cable, it will be difficult to replace it - the non-original ones often do not fit the connector. ~300 rubles).
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To extend autonomy, turn off unnecessary notifications in the Mi Fitness app and use dark dials (AMOLED-The screens consume less energy on a black background).
7. iPhone and Android compatibility: what are the limitations?
All Mi Band models officially support Android 6.0+ and iOS 10.0+, but there are nuances:
📱 For Android:
- ✅ Full functionality (notifications, payments, dial settings).
- ⚠️ On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14) there may be errors with step synchronization.
🍎 For the iPhone:
- ❌ No support for notifications from third-party apps (only calls and calls) SMS).
- ❌ It does not work to respond quickly to messages.
- ✅ All other functions (sleep monitoring, exercise) work normally.
🔧 How to connect Mi Band to iPhone:
- Download Mi Fitness from the App Store.
- Register with Xiaomi Account (required!).
- Enable Bluetooth and notifications for the app in iOS settings.
- Follow the instructions in the pairing app.
💡 If you have an iPhone and want to receive notifications from Telegram or WhatsApp, use the Notify for Mi Band app (worth it). ~It bypasses Apple's restrictions through cloud synchronization.