Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 5: 12 key differences that will affect your choice

Why Mi Band 4 and 5 Comparisons Are Relevant in 2026

Even years after the launch, the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 5 remain among the most popular fitness bracelets on the market. The reason is simple: these devices offer an optimal value for money that many new products have not yet surpassed. But what exactly are the differences between models separated by only a year of development?

In this article, we will explore all the technical and user differences between the Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 5 that affect everyday use, from design and autonomy to sensor accuracy and app compatibility.

If you’re faced with a choice between these models (or considering buying a used one), this article will help avoid common mistakes. For example, many users are unaware that the Mi Band 5 has a built-in magnetic charger, and the Mi Band 4 requires a special docking station – this is critical when changing the strap.

1. Design and Ergonomics: What Has Changed Externally

At first glance, both bracelets look almost identical: the same rectangular module with a touch screen and a removable silicone strap. However, on closer inspection, several key improvements in the Mi Band 5 become noticeable:

• 📏 Larger display: 1.1" against 0.95" Mi Band 4 (permission has grown 120×240 before 126×294). This made displaying notifications and graphs more comfortable.
• 🔄 Magnetic charging: In the fifth version, the need to remove the capsule from the strap disappeared - now it is enough to attach the charging cable to the back of the bracelet.
• 🎨 New strap options: Mi Band 5 received official butterfly straps and metal bracelets, while for the Mi Band 4 such accessories were only from third-party manufacturers.

Importantly, the Mi Band 5 is 1.2 grams heavier (11.9 grams vs 10.7 grams), but in everyday use, this difference is not felt. But the modified body shape made the fifth version more comfortable to wear during sleep, it less clings to the blanket.

⚠️ Warning: The Mi Band 4 straps are physically compatible with the Mi Band 5, but the altered charging mounting mechanism may cause problems with the attachment density, especially for cheap replicas.

2.Screen and Control: Why the Mi Band 5 is more convenient

One of the most notable improvements in the fifth version is the larger diagonal and brightness display, but it's not just the size that matters.

• 🌞 Brightness: Mi Band 5 is 25% brighter (up to 450 nits), which is critical for use in the sun. Mi Band 4 has a maximum brightness of 350 nits.
• 🎯 Touch control: The fifth version has gesture support (e.g., raising your hand to activate the screen), while the Mi Band 4 requires pressing a button or touching.
• 📱 Animations and transitions: the interface of the Mi Band 5 has become smoother due to optimized software. Mi Band 4 sometimes “slows down” with a fast swipe.

Another key difference is the number of characters displayed: the Mi Band 5 screen fits up to 19 characters per notification bar (versus 12 for the Mi Band 4), which means that messages from messengers are no longer cropped as much.

💡

If you have a Mi Band 4 and want to increase the screen visibility in the sun, set a dial with a black background and white numerals – this will improve contrast.

Sensors and Measurement Accuracy: What is Important for Athletes

Both models feature an optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer and gyroscope, but the Mi Band 5 has received several important upgrades:

• ❤️ Improved. PPG-Sensor: The fifth version is used 4 light-emitting 2 Mi Band 4, This increases the accuracy of pulse measurements 15-20% (According to the GSMArena test data).
• 🩺 Sensor. SpO₂: The Mi Band 5 can measure blood oxygen saturation, a feature missing from the Mi Band 4.
• 🏃 PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence: A unique algorithm that evaluates individual physical activity based on gender, age, and heart rate.

But there's a caveat: the pedometer accuracy in both models remained similar, with NotebookCheck testing the margin of error of about 5-7% when walking and up to 12% when running, compared to the fact that Huawei or Garmin bracelets have a 3-4% better rate.

Another thing is the measurement of sleep, and the Mi Band 5 has learned to recognize REM, whereas the Mi Band 4 only records superficial and deep sleep, which makes the analysis of rest quality more detailed.

4.Autonomy: how long will the bracelet live on one charge

Official data from Xiaomi promises up to 20 days of work for the Mi Band 4 and up to 14 days for the Mi Band 5.

• 🔋 Mi Band 4: When used actively (notification, sleep monitoring, exercise) is maintained 10-12 Until the day, the standby mode. 25 days.
• ⚡ Mi Band 5: With the same setup, he will live. 7-9 It's because of the brighter screen and the extra sensors.
• ⏱️ Charging time: Both models charge for 1.5-2 One hour, but Mi Band. 5 Supports fast charging (up to) 50% post 30 minute).

Fun fact: The Mi Band 5 has a larger battery capacity (125 mAh vs. 135 mAh for the Mi Band 4), but due to software optimization and hardware improvements, the real autonomy is lower.

⚠️ Please note: if your Mi Band is 5 discharged 3-4 Check the sync settings with Mi Fit. Frequently send data over Bluetooth (each one) 5-10 may reduce the autonomy of the 2 The optimal interval — 1 hour.

Functionality and software

The difference between the models is most noticeable here, as the Mi Band 5 has not only new sensors, but also enhanced training and health capabilities.

• 🏋️ Training modes: Mi Band 4 supports 5 activities, and Mi Band 5 - 11 (yoga, rope, elliptical trainer, etc.).
• 🩺 Women's Health: Version five has menstrual cycle tracking with ovulation prognosis. Mi Band 4 requires a separate app for this.
• 📊 Sleep analytics: Mi Band 5 provides a daily sleep quality score (0 to 100) and recommendations for improving it. Mi Band 4 only has basic schedules.
• 🔊 Voice assistant: Mi Band 5 supports Alice from Yandex (for Russian firmware) and Amazon Alexa (for global). Mi Band 4 is deprived of this feature.

It is important to note that both models have limited compatibility with iOS, for example, on iPhones, it is not possible to:

• Configure quick responses to notifications.
• Use a voice assistant (even in Mi Band 5).
• Sync your data with Apple Health directly (requires workarounds via Mi Fit → Google Fit → Apple Health).

The Mi Band 5 also has a remote camera control feature (through a double-press gesture) that is convenient for selfies or group photos, but only works with the Mi Fit app.

💡

If you’re interested in integrating with the Apple ecosystem, consider alternatives like the Apple Watch SE or the Huawei Band 7 – they offer better compatibility with iOS.

6. Compatibility and features of firmware

Both models work with Mi Fit (or Zepp Life for the global version), but there are a few critical nuances:

• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Chinese versions of the Mi Band 5 do not support Russian in firmware.
• 🔄 Xiaomi officially ended support for Mi Band 4 in 2022, which means that new features (such as integration with Xiaomi Home) are only available for the Mi Band 5.
• 📱 Requirements for a smartphone: Mi Band 5 requires Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+, Mi Band 4 works with Android 4.4.

One of the most controversial issues is the change in the Mi Band 5’s step-counting algorithm, which many users complain is causing the bracelet to overstate when driving or cycling, and the Mi Band 4 doesn’t have that problem thanks to a more conservative algorithm.

It is also worth mentioning that the Mi Band 5 supports contactless payment (via AliPay in Chinese version), but in Russia and Europe this feature does not work due to the lack of support for local payment systems.

7.Price and relevance in 2026

At the time of writing (2026), model prices were distributed as follows:

• 💰 Mi Band 4: New: 1,500–2,000 ₽ (more common b / at 800-1 200 ₽).
• 💳 Mi Band 5: New: 2,200–2,800 ₽, b/y - 1,300-1,800 ₽.

Should you overpay for version five? The answer depends on your needs.

• ✅ Choose Mi Band 5 if you care about: pulsemeter accuracy, measurement SpO₂, Extended training regimes or convenient magnetic charging.
• ❌ The Mi Band 4 is perfect if you’re looking for maximum autonomy, don’t need additional sensors, and want to save money.

It is important to consider that in 2026 Xiaomi has already released Mi Band 6 and Mi Band 7, but their price starts from 3,500. ₽. If the budget is limited, the Mi Band 5 is the best choice in terms of price/functional ratio.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used bracelet, be sure to check the battery status through the Mi Fit application (section "Device condition"). If the capacity has fallen below 70%, the bracelet will last no more than a year.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 4 and 5