What does the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 1: design, size and features of the first model

Xiaomi Mi Band 1 is a legendary fitness bracelet that revolutionized the wearable electronics market in 2014. Despite being more than 10 years old since its launch, the model still attracts interest from collectors, retro enthusiasts and those who want to understand where Xiaomi’s smart bracelets began. The appearance of the Mi Band 1 is radically different from modern trackers: there is no color display, touch buttons or sleek metal body. Instead, the minimalist design, rubberized strap and tiny light indicator that became the entire series’s business card.

If you’ve never held the first Mi Band, it may seem unusual or even archaic, but it’s in this simplicity that Xiaomi’s engineers’ genius lies: the bracelet weighed just 5 grams, worked for up to 30 days without recharging, and fit an accelerometer, vibrator, and Bluetooth in its tiny body. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the Mi Band 1 looks like — from the shape of the body to the strap materials — and compare it to subsequent generations to understand how fitness tracker design evolved over the decade.

Design of the case: minimalism without compromise

The case Xiaomi Mi Band 1 is made in the form of a flat capsule 36 mm long, 14 mm wide and only 9 mm thick.For comparison: the modern Mi Band 8 has a body 2 times longer (73 mm) and almost 3 times heavier (27 g). USB-A flash drive wrapped in matte plastic, and the color scheme was limited to just two options:

• ⚫ Black matte - the classic version, which came complete with all bracelets.
• ⚪ White glossy - a rare version, released in limited edition (more often found in collections).

On the front side of the case there are three LEDs that performed several functions: This is the only model in the Mi Band lineup where the indicators were used not only to display notifications, but also to visualize the battery level (when connected to the charger).

Unlike later versions, there is no display or touch buttons – the interaction with the bracelet was reduced to vibration and flashing of LEDs.

The back of the body is made of polycarbonate with fine perforation for the heart rate sensor (in later firmware). 2-pin connector that required a special cable (there was a miniature set) USB-This connector was one of the main diseases of the first model, because of fragile contacts, many bracelets failed after a year of use.

The strap: why is it so uncomfortable?

The Mi Band 1 strap is a different story, and unlike today's silicone or fabric bracelets, it used a rubber band with a metal clasp that many users called "uncomfortable" or even "tractory."

• 🔄 Stiffness of the material - rubber was not stretched and could rub the skin with prolonged wear.
• 🔗 Metal fastener – often unbuttoned spontaneously (especially with active movements).
• 📏 Fixed length – the strap was not adjustable in size, so the bracelet either dangled on the wrist or pressed down.

Interestingly, in the first Mi Band 1 batches, the strap was non-removable, the capsule was inserted in the factory and could not be replaced. Xiaomi later released removable versions, allowing users to buy straps of other colors (blue, green, red) or materials (for example, leather from third-party manufacturers), but even removable straps were attached to the body using fragile plastic latches that broke when handled carelessly.

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If your Mi Band 1 strap has lost elasticity, try moistening it with warm water and soap - this will temporarily return the flexibility of the rubber.

By comparison, the modern Mi Band uses silicone straps with 10-12 holes for adjustment and reliable metal studs, and the Mi Band 7 Pro has a system for rapid replacement of straps without tools, however, some users still wear the first model - out of nostalgia or for the sake of experimentation.

Mi Band 2 and Newer: How the Design Has Changed

To understand how radically the design of Xiaomi fitness bracelets has changed, compare the Mi Band 1 with its closest successors - Mi Band 2 (2016) and Mi Band 3 (2018).

The Mi Band 2 was the first bracelet in the line to feature a display, albeit a tiny one, that allowed time, steps and notifications to be displayed without having to pull out a smartphone. The Mi Band 3 already had a touch button and a larger screen, making it look like a miniature smartwatch, while the Mi Band 1 remains unique precisely because of its austereness, designed for those who only need basic functions: step counting, sleep monitoring and alarm clock.

⚠️ Note: If you're buying a used Mi Band 1, pay attention to the status of the charging contacts. Many of the bracelets in this model have failed due to oxidation of the connector. Before you buy, ask the seller to send photos of the contacts under the magnifying glass - they should be clean, without green plaque.

Size and ergonomics: will it fit a child’s hand?

One of the most common questions about the Mi Band 1 is what size it is and who it will fit.

• 📏 Body length: 36 mm (excluding strap).
• 🔄 Strap length: 235 mm (no adjustment).
• ⚖️ Weight: 5 g (lighter than 1 ruble coins).
• 👶 Minimum wrist circumference: ~14 cm (suitable for children from 5-6 years old).

The bracelet is compact and fits perfectly even on a thin wrist, but because of the strap's fixed length, it can be large for children under 5 years of age or too small for adults with a wrist girth of more than 20 cm.

Strip the strap through the second slot (if the fastener allows)

Use an additional rubber gasket for elongation

Replace the strap with a third-hand strap (with a suitable width of 14 mm)

Wearing an ankle bracelet (popular among runners)-->

Fun fact: some athletes wore the Mi Band 1 on their ankles or even their biceps, fixing it with a stretch bandage, allowing them to track their movements more accurately when running or cycling, and by the way, the first firmware on the bracelet had a hidden "bicycle" mode that was activated through an engineering menu.

Color options: what were and where to find them

Officially, the Xiaomi Mi Band 1 came in only two body colors: black and white, but the straps for it were made in a much wider palette, and here is a full list of the original strap colors that you could buy separately:

• ⚫ Black (includes)
• 🟢 Green (limited series)
• 🔴 Red (holiday version)
• 🔵 Blue (most rare)
• 🟡 Yellow (produced only for the Chinese market)
• 🟣 Purple (collector's series)

Today, the original straps for the Mi Band 1 have become a rarity.

1. AliExpress (search for "Mi Band 1 strap original")
2. In groups of Xiaomi collectors on Facebook or VK.
3. On eBay (often sold lots with bracelet + set of straps).

The cost of used straps varies from 300 to 1500 rubles, depending on the rarity of the color. For example, a purple or yellow strap can cost more than the bracelet itself! If you want the original accessory, pay attention to the labeling on the inside - licensed straps must have the Xiaomi logo and article.

What's inside: disassembly of the body and hidden details

If you've ever held a Mi Band 1, you've probably wondered how all the electronics fit in such a tiny case? Let's take a look inside (without physically disassembling the bracelet). According to official specs and enthusiasts' analysis, inside the case are:

• 🔋 Battery: 45 mAh (lithium-polymer, non-removable).
• 📡 Bluetooth module: Bluetooth 4.0 LE (low-energy).
• 📊 Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer + Optional heart rate sensor (in later versions).
• 🔊 Vibromotor: for notifications and alarm clock.
• 💡 LEDs: 3 RGB-indicator (red, green, blue).

The most vulnerable part of the internal design is the charging contacts, which are soldered to the board with thin wires that eventually detach from mechanical stress, and the first batches of bracelets also had a defect: the capacitors on the board could swell when the device overheated, which led to the failure of the device. Xiaomi quietly fixed this problem in the 2015 revisions, but “sick” bracelets are still found in the secondary market.

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The Mi Band 1 is the only model in the lineup that does not have a removable battery, and all subsequent bracelets (starting with the Mi Band 2) allow you to replace the battery in the service center.

Curious fact: the Mi Band 1 firmware has support for weather display and music management, but these features were never activated in official updates, and enthusiasts found them in the code and turned them on through custom firmware, such as the MiBand1 Tool.

How to distinguish Mi Band 1 from fake: 5 key signs

The popularity of the Mi Band 1 has brought many counterfeits to the market, especially from China, and here are the exact signs by which the original can be distinguished:

1. Packaging: The original is sold in a white box with the Xiaomi logo and hologram.The fakes are often packed in a transparent blister.
2. Serial number: On the back of the original case, a 20-digit SN is applied, which can be checked on the Xiaomi website.
3. Charging cable: It comes with a cable with the Mi logo on the connector, and fakes often have a connector without markings.
4. Firmware: The original connects to the official Mi Fit app. Fakes require third-party applications (e.g. Mi Band Master).
5. Weight: The original weighs exactly 5g. Counterfeiting is usually heavier (6–8g) due to cheaper materials.

If you buy a bracelet with your hands, ask the seller:

⚠️ Warning: Never buy a Mi Band 1 marked "without a box" or "only a case." There is a high risk of running into a fake or a bracelet with broken contacts. Original devices were always sold in branded packaging with documentation in Chinese.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Mi Band 1