Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is one of the most popular fitness bracelets on the market, combining affordable price and wide functionality. Launched in 2020, it was a logical extension of the Mi Band line, adding new features for health, sports and everyday use. But what exactly does this model do? How does it differ from previous versions? And is it worth buying it today, when there are already Mi Band 6 and Mi Band 7 on the market?
In this article, we will discuss all the features of the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 – from basic (stepmeter, pulsemeter) to hidden (sleep modes, stress test, music control), you will learn how to customize the bracelet to your needs, what unique features are only in this model (for example, women’s calendar or breath control), and how to extend battery life, and also – compare it with competitors and answer frequent questions from users.
1. Design and screens: what has changed compared to the Mi Band 4
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 It retained the compact body of the previous model, but it received several key improvements — AMOLED-diagonal 1.1 inch (against) 0.95" Mi Band 4). Permission has risen to 126×294 pixels and brightness is now automatically adjusted (up to the 450 This made the image clearer and the text easier to read in the sun.
The bracelet is made of polycarbonate with a matte coating, which reduces the fingerprints. The strap is still silicone, but now it is easier to remove thanks to an improved mounting mechanism. The device weighs only 11.9 g (without a strap), so you can wear it around the clock without feeling discomfort.
- 📏 Sizes: 47.2 × 18.5 × 12.45 mm (capsule)
- 🎨 Colors: black, blue, orange, green, purple, pink (straps in the kit depend on the version)
- 🔋 Charging: Magnetic connector (compatible with Mi Band 4)
- 💧 Defense: 5 ATM (You can swim, but not dive deeper than 50 meters)
The Mi Band 5 has more than 100 dials (including animated ones), and many are free to download through the Mi Fit app, with some themes supporting weather, battery levels, or even moon phases.
⚠️ Note: The Mi Band 5 screen is scratch-sensitive. If you plan to wear the bracelet at work or at the gym, we recommend buying a protective film or case right away. Xiaomi's original accessories are inexpensive and sold in official stores.
2. Health monitoring: pulse, sleep, stress and more
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is positioned as a device for integrated health monitoring, it has sensors for measuring heart rate, blood oxygen levels (SpO₂), It's also a function of sleep and stress analysis.
The pulse measurement works on the basis of an optical sensor PPG (The bracelet monitors heart rate in real time and can warn of arrhythmia or too high/low pulse — ±5 beats per minute (according to Xiaomi) to activate continuous monitoring:
- Open the Mi Fit app.
- Go to Profile. → Mi Band 5 → Monitoring of heart rate.
- Insert the option "Continuous measurement".
SpO₂ (oxygenation is a new feature for the Mi Band 5, useful for assessing the overall health of the body, especially during sleep or after exercise, normal values are 95-100%, if the rate is below 90%, this may indicate problems with breathing or cardiovascular system.
| Function | Description | precision |
|---|---|---|
| pulsemeter | Continuous/manual heart rate measurement | ± 5 impacts/min |
| SpO₂ | Blood oxygen levels | ±2% (compared to medical devices) |
| Sleep analysis | REM-phase, light/deep sleep | 85-90% (according to Xiaomi) |
| Stress level | Rating on a scale of 1-100 based on heart rate | Subjective (requires calibration) |
The Mi Band 5's sleep analysis is more accurate thanks to the Sleep Score algorithms.
- 😴 Deep sleep (recovery of the body)
- 😌 Light sleep (transitional phases)
- 👁️ REM-phase (REM sleep phase, important for memory)
- 😴 DREAM (short nap during the day)
At night, the bracelet gives you a sleep score of 0 to 100 and recommendations for improvement, for example, if you have spent little time in the deep phase, it will advise you to go to bed earlier or reduce your caffeine intake.
⚠️ Attention: Sleep and stress data are evaluative and do not replace a doctor's consultation. If the bracelet regularly shows high levels of stress (above 70), this is an occasion to pay attention to your lifestyle, but not a diagnosis.
3.Sports features: 11 training regimes and PAI
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 supports 11 sports modes, including running, cycling, swimming, yoga and even jumping rope.
- ⏱️ Duration of training
- 🏃 distance traveled (based on steps or GPS smartphone)
- 🔥 Calories burned
- 💓 Average/maximum pulse
The Mi Band 5 feature is support PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence is a unique algorithm from Xiaomi that measures your physical activity on a scale of 0 to 100. PAI, You're better at cardiovascular health, and it's recommended that you dial 100 to keep fit.+ PAI weekly.
How to turn it on PAI:
Open the Mi Fit app|Go to Profile. → Mi Band 5 → PAI|Activate the option "Trace" PAI"|Synchronize data with the bracelet-->
For walking and running, the bracelet can be used. GPS It's your smartphone, if you're connected to Bluetooth, and it allows you to plot routes and analyze the pace. GPS-There is no module in the Mi Band 5 – this is different from more expensive models like Amazfit. GTR 2.
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If you're swimming, remember to manually turn on the pool mode. The bracelet automatically recognizes the style (brass, crawl) and counts the number of strokes, but for accuracy, it's better to specify the length of the pool in the Mi Fit settings (Swimming section).
4.Smart features: notifications, music management and NFC
The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is not only good at keeping track of your health, but also making everyday tasks easier.
Notifications from the phone: the bracelet vibrates and shows incoming messages from WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, It's also calendar and email notifications, and you can set up only important apps to keep them from being distracted by spam:
- In Mi Fit go to Profile → Mi Band 5 → Notifications.
- Select the apps you want to see notifications from.
- Activate the "Show Content" option (if you want to see text messages).
Music control: You can switch tracks from the bracelet, adjust volume and pause playback, and this works with both local music on the phone and streaming services (Spotify, Yandex Music, Apple Music).
NFC-version (sold separately) supports contactless payments via Mi Pay (works in Russia with partner banks, for example, Tinkoff:
How to tie a card to Mi Band 5 NFC
Phone search: If you lose your smartphone, you can start the beep directly from the bracelet (the “Find the phone” function in the device menu).
Alarm clock: Up to 10 alarm clocks are supported, including a smart alarm clock that will wake you up in the light sleep phase 30 minutes before the set time.
⚠️ Attention: NFC Mi Band 5 only works with Mastercard and Visa cards issued in supported banks. NFC-Check whether your bank works with Mi Pay, for example, Sberbank and VTB did not support this feature at the time of the release of the bracelet.
5. Battery and autonomy: how long the charge lasts
One of the key advantages of the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is long battery life, the manufacturer claims up to 14 days of autonomy in standard use (with continuous monitoring of the pulse turned off), in practice, the term depends on the settings:
- 🔋 Maximum: up to 20 days (economical mode, no SpO₂ and notifications)
- ⚡ Mean: 10-12 days (with notifications and nighttime sleep monitoring)
- ⏳ Minimum: 5-7 days (continuous pulse, SpO₂, exercise)
It takes about 2 hours (0 to 100%) to charge, and the bracelet uses a magnetic connector that attaches to the back of the case, and it's important not to lose the cable, because the original parts are sold separately.
How to extend the working time:
- 📴 Turn off continuous pulse monitoring (only during exercise).
- 🔔 Reduce the number of notifications (leave only important messengers).
- 🌙 Use dark dials (AMOLED-The screen consumes less energy when displaying black).
- 🔄 Turn off automatic sync with Mi Fit (synchronize data manually).
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When used actively (training, notifications, SpO₂) Mi Band 5 discharges in 7-10 days. for maximum autonomy, turn off background functions and use economy mode.
6. Hidden features and life hacks for Mi Band 5
Many users don’t know that the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is more capable than the instructions say.
1. Women's calendar: the bracelet can track menstrual cycles and predict ovulation. Data is manually entered in the Mi Fit app (Health section) → Female health: useful for cycle planning or control.
2. Breath control: the bracelet menu has a "Breathing" mode that helps to relax using exercises according to the method 4-7-8 (4 breath in, 7 delay, 8 breath-out).
3. Quick response to messages: you can customize template responses to incoming notifications, such as "I'm on my way" or "I'll be back later." Configured in Mi Fit → Notifications → Quick answers.
4. Do Not Disturb: Disables all notifications and vibrations for a specified period of time (useful in meetings or during sleep) Activated via the wristband menu or app.
5. Export data: all indicators (sleep, pulse, training) can be unloaded in the format CSV or sync with Google Fit/Apple For this, go to the Profile at Mi Fit. → Settings → Export of data.
How to Reset Mi Band 5 to Factory Settings
7.Comparison with Mi Band 6 and competitors
At the time of the release, the Mi Band 5 was the flagship in the lineup, but now it has been replaced by the Mi Band 6 and Mi Band 7.
| Characteristics | Mi Band 5 | Mi Band 6 | Mi Band 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen. | 1.1" AMOLED | 1.56" AMOLED (full-screen) | 1.62" AMOLED (Always-On) |
| SpO₂ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (enhanced sensor) |
| Sporting regimes | 11 | 30 | 120+ |
| Autonomy | 14 days | 14 days | 15 days |
| NFC | ✅ Yes (in a separate version) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
Compared to competitors (Huawei Band 6, Honor Band 5), the Mi Band 5 wins in:
- 💰 Price (30-50% cheaper even today)
- 🔋 Autonomy (longer running than Huawei Band 6)
- 📱 Ecosystem (good integration with other Xiaomi devices)
But concedes in:
- 🏃 Sports modes (Huawei Band 6 has 96 of them)
- 📊 Sensor accuracy (Amazfit has a better pulsemeter)
- 🔄 Software updates (Xiaomi rarely releases updates for older models)
The bottom line: Mi Band 5 is still relevant if you need basic features (stepmeter, pulse, notifications) at the lowest price.For advanced fitness, it's better towards Mi Band 7 or Amazfit GTS 2.
8. Frequent problems and their solutions
Despite being reliable, the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has typical problems.
1. The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone:
- Check if the Bluetooth on the phone is enabled.
- Reset the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds).
- Remove the device in Mi Fit and connect again.
- Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version.
2. Not exact pulse or step readings:
- Make sure that the bracelet fits tightly to the wrist (gap 1-2 mm).
- Calibrate the pedometer: walk 10 steps, then enter the real distance in Mi Fit.
- Avoid wearing a wristband with tattoos (the sensor may malfunction).
The battery is running out fast:
- Turn off continuous pulse monitoring.
- Reduce the brightness of the screen.
- Disable notifications from unnecessary applications.
The bracelet does not vibrate when notified:
- Check the notification settings in Mi Fit.
- Make sure that the phone allows you to access notifications for Mi Fit.
- Reset the bracelet.
5. It's not working. SpO₂:
- Update the bracelet firmware through Mi Fit.
- Before the measurement, sit quietly for 5 minutes (movement distorts the results).
- Make sure the sensor fits tightly to the skin.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet stops turning on or doesn't respond to charging, check the contacts on the magnetic cable. Often the problem is oxidation or contamination. Wipe the contacts with alcohol and try charging again. If it doesn’t help, the battery may be faulty (in this case, contact the service center).