Choosing the first or next wearable gadget often becomes a difficult dilemma, especially when the market is dominated by two Chinese giants: competition between technology brands forces them to constantly improve their tracker lines, offering users more features for less money, and it is in this segment that Xiaomi and Huawei have become the undisputed leaders, capturing the lion’s share of the wearable electronics market around the world.
But despite the similarities, these manufacturers' devices have fundamental differences in ecosystem and software approaches, and if you're looking at it, you have to understand that buying a wristband isn't just about buying an accessory, it's about entering a particular digital environment, and that depends on how comfortable you are with managing health and notifications in your daily life.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the key aspects that will help determine which fitness tracker is right for you: We will look at hardware stuffing, health monitoring quality, operating system capabilities and, of course, pricing policy. The key difference is the software platform: Xiaomi uses Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life), and Huawei – Huawei Health, which radically changes the user experience.
Application ecosystems and compatibility with smartphones
The first thing that a user faces after unpacking is the need to install a specialized application. Xiaomi has a dual situation: the old models worked through Zepp Life, while the new Mi Band 6, 7 and 8 require the installation of the Mi Fitness application. This creates some confusion, since the functionality and interface in these programs differ significantly. The Mi Fitness application seeks to unify with the Xiaomi ecosystem, offering a more modern, but sometimes less detailed interface.
Huawei has taken a different path by betting on Huawei Health, which is considered one of the most sophisticated apps on the market, providing deep data analytics, running consistently on both Android and iOS, although the iPhone can be slightly curtailed compared to Android smartphones, and integration with Google Fit or Apple Health is present in both cases, but implemented through third-party bridges or requires additional manipulation.
⚠️ Note: When using Huawei smartphones without Google services (GMS) Installation of Huawei Health app on Android may require downloading via AppGallery or QR-The code may not be available in the Play Market depending on the region.
Importantly, Huawei’s data synchronization is often faster and more stable thanks to its own transmission protocols, and Xiaomi relies on standard Bluetooth Low Energy solutions that can sometimes fail when updating data in the background on a cache-filled smartphone.
Displays and Design: AMOLED vs TFT
Visual perception is a critical parameter for any wearable device. Xiaomi has long been famous for its use of the same. TFT-Matrices in budget models, but with the release of Mi Band 4 and subsequent versions, the company completely switched to the new model. AMOLED-This has allowed for deep black, high contrast and, most importantly, the Always-On Display function. The Mi Band bracelet design has traditionally remained a pill-shaped design, something that classics love but can seem boring.
Huawei also uses AMOLED in its Band series models (such as the Band 6, 7, 8, 9), but often relies on a larger diagonal and rectangular shape reminiscent of classic smartwatches. Huawei has traditionally higher pixel density (PPI) which makes fonts clearer. Huawei often offers a wider selection of dials in the official store, including complex compilations with many widgets.
Screen brightness is another important parameter: both brands’ flagship models reach 500-600 nits, which is enough to read in direct sun. However, Huawei’s auto-tuning of brightness works more correctly, requiring less manual intervention. Xiaomi sometimes sins with a delayed response of the light sensor.
What is Always-On Display and do you need it?
Health monitoring and sensor accuracy
The main task of any tracker is to collect data about the state of the body, where data processing algorithms play an even greater role than the sensors themselves. Huawei has long collaborated with research institutes to implement TruSeen technology for monitoring heart rate and TruSleep for analyzing sleep. These algorithms are considered one of the most accurate in the segment of wearable electronics, often outpacing competitors in detailing sleep phases.
Xiaomi uses sensors from various vendors (often from Huawei or third-party Chinese manufacturers), but the software processing in the Mi Fitness app sometimes gives way to a competitor in detail.For example, Xiaomi's blood oxygen monitoring (SpO2) can only be done on user request, while Huawei offers automatic nighttime monitoring and low saturation alerts.
However, for amateur sports and overall activity control, both brands provide more than enough functionality: Stepmers work correctly, resting heart rate is measured accurately. The differences begin at high-intensity loads, where Huawei often shows less delay in response to a change in heart rate.
💡
For maximum accuracy of pulse measurements, wear the bracelet tightly, 1-2 cm above the wrist bone. Too weak fit leads to light hitting the sensor and distortion of data.
Sports regimes and GPS-navigation
The number of sports supported in both brands is in the tens, sometimes hundreds, and basic modes like running, walking, cycling and swimming are everywhere. GPS-The navigation is different.Most Xiaomi Mi Band models don't have built-in GPS-So that means that to build a jog track, you have to bring a smartphone with you.
Huawei offers more flexible solutions, and many models, such as the Huawei Band 6 Pro or the more expensive Watch Fit, come with built-in features. GNSS-This allows you to leave your phone at home while you're jogging, because the bracelet will record your route, pace and distance.
- 🏃♂️ Xiaomi: Dependence on the phone for GPS, Basic metrics, automatic determination of 6 sports.
- 🗺️ Huawei: Availability of models with built-in GPS, advanced metrics (VO2 max, recovery time, professional training plans.
- 🏊 Waterproof: Both brands offer 5 protection ATM (Immersion up to 50 meters, which allows you to swim in the pool.
It is also worth mentioning third-party applications. Xiaomi devices through the Gadgetbridge project or modified firmware (which is a complex and risky process), you can install third-party software, but officially the functionality is limited. Huawei is more closed system, but offers quality built-in training programs.
Autonomy and charging speed
One of the main trump cards of trackers against full smart watches is the running time. Both Xiaomi and Huawei are doing great here. A typical use case allows both brands to work from 10 to 14 days without recharging. When you use GPS actively (if it is connected via a phone) or have continuous monitoring of your pulse on, the time is reduced to 5-7 days.
The differences are significant in the types of chargers. Xiaomi in recent models (Mi Band 8) has switched to magnetic charging, which is attached to the ends of the device, which is convenient but requires careful handling to avoid losing the cable. Huawei traditionally uses removable bracelets-straps that are removed from the charging capsule (plaques), or magnetic docking stations for new models.
⚠️ Note: Do not use powerful fast charging units from smartphones (more 18-20 W) to charge the bracelets directly, unless otherwise specified in the instructions, which may cause the battery to overheat and reduce its lifespan.
The charging speeds of both manufacturers are high: the full cycle takes about 40-60 minutes, which allows you to quickly "power" the device before training, if you forgot to charge it at night.
Comparative Characteristics Table
To organize the information, let's look at the comparison of current mid-segment models, and the numbers can vary slightly depending on the specific modification and region.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Smart Band 8 | Huawei Band 8 | Honor Band 7 (similar to Huawei) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen. | AMOLED, 60 Hz. | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Built-in GPS | No. | No (in Pro versions available) | No. |
| Autonomy | 16 days | 14 days | 12 days |
| Sensors. | Pulse, SpO2, Accelerometer | Pulse, SpO2, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Pulse, SpO2. |
| Price (orient.) | $$ | $$$ | $$ |
💡
Xiaomi wins in price and refresh rate (60Hz), while Huawei wins in precision sensors and quality of health software.
NFC, Payment and Additional Features
The presence of the NFC module is a lottery ticket, depending on the region of sale. Global versions of Xiaomi and Huawei bracelets often lack this module, while Chinese versions are equipped with it. However, even with NFC functionality is limited. In Russia and CIS countries, payment through the bracelets of these brands directly (like Apple Pay or Mir Pay on the watch) usually does not work or requires complex dances with diamond through emulation of cards, which are often blocked by banks.
Huawei has a feature to quickly unlock laptops and cars, which is very conveniently implemented within the ecosystem. Xiaomi is also developing the direction of the smart home, allowing you to control Mi Home devices right from the wrist. This can be a decisive argument for those who already have lamps, sockets and robot vacuum cleaners Xiaomi.
Also worth mentioning is the vibrator: new Xiaomi models (starting with the Band 7 Pro and 8) use a broadband vibrator motor that makes notifications and alarms much more pleasant than the annoying “zoommer” vibration in older models. Huawei also uses quality motors that provide tactile returns.
☑️ What to pay attention to when buying
Final verdict: what to choose?
To sum up, there is no perfect answer to the question of who is better, only the best for you. If you are looking for the most budget device with a bright screen and you do not hesitate to carry a phone on a run, the Xiaomi Mi Band will be a great choice. It is a workhorse that will cover 90% of the needs of the average user for the price of a cup of coffee per week.
If you prioritize accuracy of health data, deep sleep analysis, built-in GPS (in older models), and a more premium design, the Huawei Band looks more attractive, and you’ll overpay 20-30%, but you’ll get a more mature and sophisticated device.
Both manufacturers produce quality products that last for years, and the main thing is not to chase the latest innovations if your current gadget copes with the tasks, and pay attention to compatibility with your smartphone.