The wearables market experienced a revolution when the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 came on the scene, not just another update to the lineup, but a fundamental leap in the development of affordable activity trackers. Many users still wonder what the key advantages of this model are compared to previous versions, and whether it is worth switching to it from an old device.
The main attention in the comparison is attracted by the display, which for the first time in the series received a color color AMOLED-If we used to be content with monochrome screens, now the interface is brighter, richer and much more informative, and it's the color rendering that's the first and most noticeable difference that you notice when you turn on a device for the first time.
But it's not just visual, it's also been a major improvement in the internals, sensors, communication modules and software, and understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision about whether to buy or upgrade your wearable assistant.
The Display Revolution: From Monochrome to AMOLED
The most obvious answer to the question of how different the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is is the type of screen installed. The predecessors used TN-matrixes with dim lighting and limited viewing angle, which made reading information in bright sun difficult. In the fourth model, engineers used AMOLED technology, which provides deep black color and high brightness.
The resolution also increased to 120 by 240 pixels, allowing for more detailed graphics and clear fonts, with a pixel density of 326 ppi, which is comparable to many modern smartphones, making the interface look like a full extension of your phone screen rather than a simplified schema.
Importantly, despite the improvement in picture quality, power consumption remained low, and the new array’s energy efficiency allows for high autonomy even when using colored dials, a critical parameter for wearables where charging is rarely required.
- 🎨 Colored AMOLED-resolution-screen 120×240 pixels against monochrome display in the Mi Band 3.
- ☀️ Automatic brightness control with built-in light sensor.
- 🖼️ Support for custom dials with full color graphics.
- 👆 Touch control has become more responsive thanks to a new touchscreen layer.
⚠️ Note: The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 screen does not have a permanent display mode (Always On Display), so for time you need to raise your wrist or touch the screen.
Measurement accuracy: a new heart rate sensor
The second key difference was the optical pulse measurement system, which included an updated PPG sensor with improved lenses and LED architecture, which significantly improved the accuracy of measurements, especially during intense exercise when blood flow is accelerated.
Previous versions have often been blamed for errors or temporary loss of signal when the arm is moving, the new sensor design minimizes the impact of external factors and ensures stable contact with the skin, and the data processing algorithms have also been rewritten to filter noise interference.
And then there's the resting pulse alert function, which is, if your heart rate stays high without visible physical activity, the bracelet vibrates to warn you of possible stress or health problems, which adds a basic medical monitoring function to the device.
- ❤️ Improved algorithm for measuring pulse 24/7 lower-percentage error.
- 📉 The function of warning of high pulse at rest.
- 🏊♂️ Ability to track pulse during swimming due to water resistance.
- 📊 Detailed statistics of pulse zones in the Mi Fit app.
It is worth noting that for the sensor to work properly, it is important to tightly fit the bracelet to the wrist, too loose fit can lead to light hitting the sensor and distortion of data.
Comparative Characteristics Table
To organize the information and demonstrate how different Xiaomi Mi Band 4 from its nearest predecessor, let’s look at the main technical parameters in the table.
| Characteristics | Mi Band 3 | Mi Band 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Monochrome OLED | Colored AMOLED |
| Permission | 128 × 80 pixel | 120 × 240 pixel |
| Light sensor | Absent. | Got it (auto-brightness) |
| Waterproofness | 5 ATM (up to 50 m) | 5 ATM (up to 50 m) |
| Battery capacity | 110 mAh | 135mAh |
⚠️ Note: Despite the same class of water resistance 5 ATM, It is not recommended to use the bracelet in the sauna or when diving with great depth due to temperature changes and vapor pressure.
💡
The increased battery capacity in the Mi Band 4 offsets the increased power consumption of the color screen, keeping the battery life at 20 days.
Functional capabilities and sports modes
The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 software has also seen significant development, with the number of supported sports modes growing and more flexible, and the device now can automatically recognize activity if you forget to manually run the tracker, although this feature doesn’t work for all sports.
Special attention is paid to swimming. The bracelet holds water perfectly and can count SWOLF, pace and distance. The data is synchronized with the smartphone, where detailed graphs are built. The metronome is added for runners to help keep the cadence.
And there's also support for music management on your smartphone and your camera, where you can switch tracks or take selfies using the bracelet as a remote control, which is a trifle, but it greatly improves the usability of the gadget in everyday life.
- 🏃♂️ 6 main sports modes: running, cycling, walking, swimming pool, gym, free training.
- 🎵 Managing music playback on a connected smartphone.
- 🤳 Remote control of the phone camera.
- 🔔 Notifications from applications displaying emojis and parts of the message text.
Hidden features of Mi Band 4
Energy consumption and autonomy of work
The introduction of the color screen naturally raised questions about how this will affect battery life. Xiaomi engineers managed to find a balance by increasing the battery capacity to 135 mAh. Under normal conditions of use, the bracelet lives about 20 days, which is comparable to the performance of previous models.
But the actual autonomy is very much a function of settings, and if you include constant pulse monitoring, notifications from all apps, and high screen brightness, it can be reduced to 10-12 days, but it's still a great result for wearable electronics with this functionality.
The charging process has remained the same: the capsule is removed from the strap and connected to a special charger via contacts. It takes about an hour to fully charge, and it is important to use original or certified cables to avoid contact issues.
Optimizing the system allows the bracelet to go into deep sleep when not in use, saving charge, especially if you wear the bracelet only during the day and take off at night.
☑️ Checking settings to save battery
Compatibility and Application Ecosystem
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 requires Mi Fit (or Zepp Life in newer versions) to work, which is available for iOS and Android, and it is through this that the basic configuration, firmware updates and data analysis take place.
Synchronizing data with other health services, such as Google Fit or Apple Health, is possible through third-party tools or built-in export features, which allows you to integrate your activity data into the overall health ecosystem.
It should be noted that some features, such as displaying notifications from messengers, require permission to access notifications in the smartphone settings. Without this, the bracelet will only vibrate when incoming calls and SMS.
⚠️ Warning: When updating the bracelet firmware, make sure that the battery is at least 20% and the smartphone is next to the bracelet.