What functions performs fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 3

Modern wearables are no longer just a fashion accessory and have become indispensable health-control aids, as the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 set new standards in the budget-friendly fitness tracker segment, and many users are still interested in its capabilities, as it offers an impressive array of activity monitoring tools.

The main feature of this tracker is its versatility, which is suitable for both professional athletes and people with a sedentary lifestyle, and the key functions of the device cover a wide range of tasks, from simple counting of steps to analyzing sleep phases and receiving calls.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what features this compact gadget has in store, and you will learn how to use all its modes correctly and why it remains relevant even a few years after it hits the market.

Monitoring of physical activity and sports

The main task that the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 does is to accurately track the user’s movements throughout the day.The device automatically recognizes the beginning of walking or running if the appropriate option is enabled in the application. This allows you to not miss a single step, even if you forgot to start the workout timer manually.

For active lifestyle enthusiasts, there is a special exercise mode, which allows you to choose from the wristband menu to run, cycle, walk or gym classes, while the activity on the screen in real time displays the pulse, duration of the session and the number of calories burned.

• 🏃 Automatic detection of the start of activity when walking or running.
• 🚴 Specialized modes for different types of physical activity.
• 🔥 Calculating energy expended based on your pulse and weight.
• 🏆 Achievements and reminders of long-sitting motion.

Importantly, for all sports features to work properly, you need to set up your profile in the Mi Fit app first. Without specifying height, weight and age, calorie calculation will be inaccurate.

⚠️ Warning: Don't rely on tracker data as your only source of health information. Use specialized equipment for professional medical indications.

After the workout is over, the data is synchronized with your smartphone, where you can see a detailed route map (if you used your phone's GPS) and a heart rate chart, which helps you analyze progress and adjust your exercise plans.

Sleep analysis and smart alarm clock

One of the most sought-after features of the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is sleep monitoring, which is able to distinguish between deep and light sleep, and record periods of wakefulness at night. In the morning, you get a detailed report that helps you understand the quality of your rest.

And from the data collected, they generate a sleep index that measures how well you've slept, and if the device notices regular sleep deprivation or restlessness, it may recommend adjusting your daily routine, which is especially useful for people with disrupted schedules.

The smart alarm function deserves special attention, and unlike the beep on the phone, the bracelet wakes the wearer with a soft vibration, which does not disturb people sleeping nearby and allows them to wake up more naturally without the stress of a sharp sound.

💡

For more accurate tracking of sleep phases, wear the bracelet tightly, but not tightly, about 1-2 cm from the wrist bone.

You can set your sleep schedule in Mi Fit, and if you go to bed and get up at the same time, it will analyze whether you have enough hours to recover, and the statistics are stored in history, allowing you to track the dynamics over weeks and months.

Heart rate control

The cardiovascular system requires constant attention, and the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 takes over this task. The optical pulse sensor located on the back of the wrist reads the readings at a high frequency, which allows you to receive data both at rest and during intense exertion.

It can operate in two modes: automatic and manual. In automatic mode, the bracelet takes measurements at intervals, creating a full profile of the heart's performance per day. In manual mode, you initiate measurements by turning the wrist or through a menu.

A high resting heart rate can signal stress, fatigue, or illness, and the bracelet can alert the wearer to exceeding a given heart rate threshold, which helps them stop and rest in time.

It should be borne in mind that the accuracy of measurements can be influenced by the density of the strap fitting and the presence of tattoos on the wrist. It is recommended to periodically wipe the sensor from sweat and dirt to get the most reliable results.

Notifications and smartphone management

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 acts as the second screen for your smartphone, broadcasting important notifications right on your wrist, SMS-messages and notifications from social networks such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and other popular messengers.

When a call comes in, the bracelet vibrates and displays the contact name (if it's in the phone book) or phone number, which is especially useful in situations where the phone is in a bag or in another room, and you can quickly appreciate the importance of the call without taking out the gadget.

• 📞 Displaying the caller's name and phone number.
• 💬 Text messages from messengers and SMS.
• 🔔 Notifications of events from calendar and alarm clock.
• 📱 Music management (pause, track switching).

In addition, the tracker allows you to control the playback of music on a connected smartphone, you can pause the track or switch the track without interrupting the workout and without taking the phone out of your pocket.

⚠️ Note: To display the text of messages in Russian, you need to activate the download of the language package in the Mi Fit application and allow access to notifications in Bluetooth settings.

The phone search feature is also very useful, and when activated through the bracelet menu, the smartphone starts to ring loudly even when it is in silent mode, which helps you quickly find lost equipment in the apartment.

Waterproofness and swimming

One of the main advantages of the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 over its predecessors was improved water protection. The device has a 5 ATM waterproof certificate. This means that the bracelet can withstand pressure equivalent to a dive to a depth of 50 meters.

This feature allows you to use the tracker while swimming in the pool or open water, and not be afraid to shower with it or wash your hands. The design is sealed, and water does not penetrate into the body under operating conditions.

In swimming mode, the device tracks the number of meters swim, time spent and average pace, and after training, you will see detailed statistics in the application, including a graph of the pulse during the swim.

However, it is worth remembering that protection from water is not eternal. Over time, leakage can be impaired due to wear of materials, exposure to hot water or aggressive chemicals (shampoos, soap).

Autonomy and interface settings

Energy efficiency is the strength of the Mi Band lineup. The third model features a 110 mAh battery, allowing the device to run for up to 20 days in standby mode. When used actively with constant pulse monitoring and notifications, the operating time is about 10-12 days.

Charging is done by a special docking station cable that comes with the connection, and you need to remove the tracker from the strap, which takes about 2 hours until the charge is fully recovered.

The interface of the bracelet can be customized. There are many dials available in the app that display different information: only time, time with date, or step and pulse data, and you can choose the design that is right for you.

💡

Decreasing the brightness of the screen and turning off constant pulse measurements significantly prolong the operating time from a single charge.

You can also set up the wrist lift to turn on the screen, which is convenient but uses more energy, and if you want maximum autonomy, you'd better turn on the screen by touch or button.

Comparison of characteristics with competitors

To get a definitive grasp of the Xiaomi Mi Band 3’s market position, it’s worth comparing its key parameters with typical representatives of other budget fitness bracelets of the same period.

Unlike many other models, Xiaomi offers a full colored version. OLED-It's a very readable screen in the sun, and cheap competitors often have low-resolution monochrome displays.

Presence NFC-The Chinese version of the module allows the use of a bracelet for payment of transport in some cities of China, however, in the global version this feature is usually absent or limited.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)