In the world of affordable wearable electronics, Xiaomi has set the bar incredibly high with the Mi Band fitness tracker series. When new models come to market, users often face a dilemma: whether to overpay for a new product or save money by taking the previous generation, a question that is especially relevant when it comes to moving from the second to the third version of a popular gadget.
Visually, the devices may look like the untrained eye, especially when they're off when the black capsule module is hidden in the strap, but the technical differences between them are enormous, affecting almost every aspect of use, from the quality of the display to the autonomy of the work, and understanding these nuances will help you make an informed choice.
In this article, we will make a deep comparison so you know for sure, the main difference lies in the presence of sensory sensory input. OLED-The screen with support for Russian language and (new) notification system, which is not the second version. Let's examine each aspect in detail to eliminate any doubts when buying or upgrading the device.
Design and ergonomics of housings
The first thing that catches your eye when you look at it is the shape of the tracker capsule. The Mi Band 2 has an elongated oval shape with a characteristic indentation under the button at the bottom. It's made of matte plastic, which, while pleasing to the touch, tends to pick up small scratches when used actively.
The third version has undergone significant changes: Xiaomi engineers have abandoned the elongated oval in favor of a more rounded, almost round shape capsule. It's not just a cosmetic change: the new shape sits better on the wrist and clings less to clothing.
An important design element is the presence of a touch button on the front of the third model. In the second generation, the button was physical and located on the end, which often led to random pressing or, conversely, required effort to activate.
- 🔘 Capsule shape: the elongated oval of the second model against the rounded circle of the third.
- 🖐️ Button type: Physical end button replaced by touch area on the face of the device.
- 🎨 Texture: matte surface of Mi Band 2 vs. glossy coating of Mi Band 3.
- 📏 Dimensions: the third model has become a little wider, but more compact in length, which improves ergonomics.
It is also worth noting the quality of the strap assembly. Although they are interchangeable in type of attachment only within their generations, the third generation material feels more premium and less irritating to the skin when worn for long periods.
The evolution of the display: from monochrome to OLED
The most radical change that immediately catches the eye was the screen. Mi Band 2 was equipped with a tiny monochrome. OLED-It was a low-resolution display that was just a functional minimum, and the gray shades, the low contrast, and the lack of backlighting in some modes made reading information in dim light a real challenge.
In Mi Band. 3 Full color (although limited palette) OLED-diagonal 0.78 The resolution has grown to 128×80 And the pixels, which allowed us to display not only numbers, but also full-fledged graphics, icons and even emojis, and the brightness and clarity of the image have increased significantly, making the device readable even in direct sunlight.
⚠️ Warning: The Mi Band 3 screen is very sensitive to strong impacts. Despite the protective glass, if you fall on hard asphalt from the height of the wrist, the matrix can crack, whereas the monochrome screen of the second model was more tenacious.
Another major benefit of the new display was that it supported the wrist lift, and the third model had an accelerometer built in that wakes up the screen when you turn your hand to see the time, and the second version required you to press a button, which created unnecessary action.
In addition, Mi Band 3 has the ability to install dials, the user can choose from several preset styles or download your application, personifying the device to your style of clothing or mood, the second model was deprived of this possibility completely, offering only one static format for displaying time.
Functionality and interface
The interface is very different, and the Mi Band 2 menu was navigated by clicking the physical button repeatedly, scrolling through the time, the steps, the pulse, the battery, and it was inconvenient if you had to quickly find a specific parameter.
The third model was touch-controlled, and now the menu is swiped up and down, and tap-to-tap or long-press selection, making interaction with the gadget akin to using a full-fledged smartwatch, and new features like weather forecasting (requires synchronization) and more detailed sleep monitoring.
The notification system deserves special attention. In Mi Band 3, they became full-fledged: you see not just the vibration and the icon, but the text of the message, the name of the caller and even emoji. In the second version, the display of Cyrillic in the notifications was implemented by the “bone” method and often worked unstablely or required dancing with a diamond when setting up.
- 📲 Navigation: button scroll against convenient swipes on the touch screen.
- 🌤️ Widgets: the appearance of weather and phases of the moon in real time.
- 🔔 Notifications: Support for long text messages and display of contact name.
- 🛌 Monitoring: improved sleep phase tracking algorithm and REM-period.
The third version also includes a Do Not Disturb feature that blocks notifications from vibrating at a given time, leaving only the alarm clock active, a highly useful option for those who wear a tracker at night but do not want to be woken up by late-night messages from messengers.
Autonomy and charging of the device
The question of running time is always a big one for wearable electronics. The Mi Band 2 was equipped with a 70 mAh battery. When used actively with constant pulse monitoring and frequent notifications, it kept a charge for about 10-15 days. That's a good figure, but not a record.
The third model received a 110 mAh battery. Despite the brighter and larger screen, the software optimization allowed to increase battery life to 20 days in standard mode.
💡
For maximum charge savings on the Mi Band 3, turn off the wrist lift feature in the Mi Fit app, which will save up to 30% energy if you don’t often watch the time with your hand moving.
The charging process has also changed: the contact pads on the Mi Band 3 capsule are more hidden and better protected from moisture than their predecessor. However, more effort is now required to remove the capsule from the strap, as the landing has become denser to ensure better water resistance.
Comparison of autonomy indicators:
| Parameter | Mi Band 2 | Mi Band 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 70mAh | 110 mAh |
| Clock mode | 20 days | 30 days |
| Active use | 10-15 days | 20 days |
| Full charge time. | ~1.5 hours | ~2 hours |
Importantly, the actual operating time is very much dependent on the frequency of pulse measurements and the number of incoming notifications. If you turn on continuous heart monitoring, the difference in autonomy between models will become less noticeable, but the third version will still remain in the lead.
Protection from water and dust
Both models are positioned as active lifestyle devices, so protection from external influences is critical for them. The Mi Band 2 had IP67 protection standard. This meant that the device could be washed under the tap, caught in the rain or accidentally dropped in a puddle, but the manufacturers did not recommend swimming in it.
With the release of the Mi Band 3, the standard has been upgraded to 5 ATM (5 atmospheres) – a certified dive capability up to 50 metres deep – and the tracker will comfortably survive swimming in the pool, showering with soap foam and even snorkeling in shallow water.
What is the 5 ATM standard?
The improved tightness of the third model also had a positive effect on sweat protection, and athletes note that even after intense training in the gym, when the tracker is literally poured sweat, no oxidation of contacts occurs.
⚠️ Warning: Despite being highly waterproof, avoid contact with hot water, steam (sauna, hot shower) and chemicals (shampoos, gels). The steam can penetrate through the speaker’s micro-holes (which is not here, but the principle is the same) and condense inside, damaging the electronics.
So if you're planning on using a tracker for swimming, you definitely should opt for a third model. The second model can survive several swims, but it's going to be a lottery with a high risk of failure.
Compatibility and software
Both devices work together with the smartphone through the Mi Fit app (now renamed Zepp Life). However, support for operating systems varies. Mi Band 2 is still supported, but new features and firmware updates for it are almost never coming out. Compatibility with iOS and Android is complete, but the functionality is limited by the capabilities of the hardware itself.
The Mi Band 3 has a more modern platform, requiring newer versions of Android (starting with 4.4) and iOS (starting with 9.0), which provides a more stable Bluetooth 4.2 BLE connection that consumes less smartphone power and synchronizes data faster.
☑️ Pre-purchase check
Localization is an important aspect. Officially sold in the CIS versions of the Mi Band 3 have Russified menu and support for Cyrillic in notifications out of the box. Global versions also support Russian. However, buying cheap Chinese versions (CN Version) without the Global console, you risk getting a device with only English or Chinese interface, although notifications will come in Russian.
The process of pairing in the third model has become faster, and if you had to search for a device in the list for a long time and confirm the codes, now the Mi Band 3 appears almost instantly in the application when you first turn on.
- 📱 OS: Support for Android 4.4+ / iOS 9.0+ steady-work.
- 🌐 Localization: The presence of Russian in the menu depends on the version (Global or CN).
- 🔄 Updates: Regular security patches and new dials for Version 3.
- 🔗 Stability: Improved data protocol reduces number of communication gaps.
💡
When buying, be sure to check the package for the inscription "Global Version" or "Rus", if you want to use the Russian menu. The Chinese version will work, but it will take longer to set up.
Summary comparison and recommendations
To sum up, the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is not just a cosmetic upgrade, but a qualitative leap forward: the transition to the touch screen, improved water protection and increased battery make it a standalone device, not just an addition to the phone.
The Mi Band 2 is currently only a budget option for those who need a simple step counter and time, and who are willing to put up with a monochrome screen and a lack of full notifications.
If you choose between these two models right now, the price difference is minimal and the difference in usability is huge.The third version will provide you with a modern experience, up-to-date design and support for new features that may appear in future updates.
Remember that the wearables market is growing rapidly, and buying an outdated model can lead to a desire to re-update the gadget in six months.