Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and 5: What’s the difference between them?

The choice of wearables often turns into a compromise between price and functionality, especially when it comes to popular models from Xiaomi. Users facing the dilemma of buying often wonder whether to overpay for a new product or the old proven flagship is still relevant. In this article, we will examine the technical details to see if it makes sense to move to the fifth generation.

Both models are classic activity trackers that are mounted on the wrist and synced to the smartphone. Despite the look and feel, the Mi Band 5 has received a number of critical updates that dramatically change the user experience. The difference lies not only in the specifications numbers, but also in the everyday usability of the gadget.

The main battle is over the screen and the mounting system, because these are the elements that the user notices first. If you plan to use the device for serious health monitoring, then the difference in sensors can be a decisive factor. Let's take a closer look at each aspect so that you can make an informed choice.

Design and Ergonomics: The Evolution of Form

Visually, the Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 5 look very similar, but Xiaomi engineers made changes that are immediately noticeable on closer inspection. The fourth model retained a capsule with rounded edges that is inserted into the strap, while in the fifth version the body became slightly wider and received flatter faces, which allowed to increase the usable area of the display without significant growth in the dimensions of the device itself.

The most important change was the tracker strap attachment system, which required the Mi Band 4 to remove the capsule from the silicone bracelet for charging, which over time led to stretching of the holes and loss of density of the fitting. The fifth version introduced the Magnetic Charging system, which allows you to charge the device without removing it from the strap, this solution greatly simplified the life of users and increased the wear resistance of the accessory.

⚠️ Note: Mi Band 4 straps do not physically fit the Mi Band 5 due to the modified capsule shape and mounting system.

The weight of the devices has also undergone minimal changes, but the difference is noticeable with prolonged wear. The fifth model has become lighter and thinner, making it less noticeable on the arm during sleep or training. The ergonomics of the Mi Band 5 has been redesigned to take into account the anatomy of the wrist, which reduced the discomfort of wearing a tight strap during active sports.

Display: Size matters

The screen is the main interface for interaction with the gadget, and here Mi Band 5 shows steady progress. The display diagonal in the new generation has grown from 0.95 inches to 1.1 inches, which at first glance seems small, but in practice gives a gain in the visible area of about 20%, which allows you to display more text messages, notifications and data about training without the need for constant scrolling.

Both models feature high-quality AMOLED arrays that provide deep black and high contrast. However, the fifth version has improved the brightness of the backlight, making the screen readable even in direct sunlight. Automatic brightness control in the Mi Band 5 works more smoothly and correctly responds to changes in the lighting of the environment.

The screen resolution has also been increased, making fonts clearer and icons more detailed. While the fourth model has some pixelation when viewing fine text, the Mi Band 5 offers a picture comparable to the more expensive smartwatch. Color rendering has remained saturated, but color calibration in the new model has become more natural.

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For maximum energy saving, use static dials without animation, as AMOLED-screens consume more energy when displaying bright and dynamic images.

Functioning and monitoring of health

The interior is where the biggest difference between generations lies. The Mi Band 5 has an updated optical heart rate sensor that works more accurately and measures heart rate more often. In addition, the fifth version has a light sensor that was not available in the previous model, which allowed for automatic brightness and sleep phase tracking with greater accuracy.

A new and important addition to this is the ability to track menstruation for female audiences, and the ability to assess stress and breathing, which allows you to create a more complete picture of the state of the body (PAI - Personal Activity Intelligence). The fourth model also knows how to monitor heart rate and sleep, but the algorithms of analysis in the fifth generation have become much smarter and provide more detailed reports in the application.

The number of sports modes has grown from 6 to 11, including new profiles for ellipse, rowing, rope and yoga. For each mode, more detailed real-time statistics are available. It is important to note that the Mi Band 5 has the ability to turn off pulse tracking during exercise, which can be useful for specific exercises where constant contact of the sensor with the skin is difficult.

Autonomy and charging process

The issue of autonomy is always a hot topic for wearable electronics owners, and Xiaomi has traditionally delighted users. Battery capacity in the Mi Band 5 has been increased to 125 mAh against 135 mAh in the fourth model (data can vary depending on the revision, but capacity is comparable). Despite the brighter and larger screen, the optimization of power consumption allowed to keep the declared life up to 14-20 days in normal mode.

The charging process is much more convenient thanks to magnetic contact, so you no longer have to remove the tracker from the strap every time you risk damaging your contacts or losing your capsule, just attach the charger to the back of the bracelet, and it takes about 2 hours to fully charge, which is standard for devices in this class.

Constant heart rate monitoring significantly reduces the time of both devices, and if you're critical to autonomy, you can lower your frequency in the Mi Fit or Zepp Life settings, and both bracelets can last up to a month without recharging in time and step mode.

Software and compatibility

Both devices run in the Xiaomi ecosystem and require the Mi Fit app (or its new name Zepp Life) to be installed for initial setup and data synchronization. The app interface is uniform for all devices, but there are more dials and display settings available for the Mi Band 5. You can customize the order of the output data on the tracker screen, which increases usability.

Compatibility with Android and iOS remains high for both models, but new features such as music management or camera may work more stable on the latest OS. To fully work all notifications, you need to give the application the appropriate permissions in the smartphone system.

The firmware for both devices is regularly updated, fixing bugs and adding minor improvements. However, only the Mi Band 5 gets priority support and new features that will not be added to the fourth model. It is a natural cycle of gadget life, and in a year or two support for the Mi Band 4 can be completely discontinued.

⚠️ Warning: When updating the firmware, make sure that the bracelet is at least 20% charged and the smartphone is nearby.

Summary comparison and recommendations

To sum up, the Mi Band 5 is not just a cosmetic upgrade, but a full step forward in the lineup. The larger screen, magnetic charging and extended sensor suite make it a more attractive choice for a new user. The price difference between models is often minimal, making buying an older model less warranted unless the budget is extremely tight.

If you already have a Mi Band 4, there is no need to rush to replace, no need to be abrupt, no need to take out the charging capsule, or no need to take out the charging capsule, but for those who choose their first fitness tracker, the answer is obvious: the fifth generation offers the best balance of value at the moment.

Both devices remain leaders in their segment, offering functionality that was previously only available in expensive smartwatches, and the choice depends on your personal priorities: saving or maximum comfort of use.

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The Mi Band 5 wins by magnetic charging and light sensor, making it more comfortable in everyday use compared to its predecessor.