Xiaomi Mi Band 5: Release Date, Release Story and What Has Changed Compared to Mi Band 4

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has become one of the most anticipated fitness bracelets of 2020 — and for good reason. This model brought users long-awaited updates: a larger display, improved sensors, new training modes and even magnetic charging. But when exactly the official release took place, and what events preceded the release of the gadget? In this article, we will analyze the chronology of the Mi Band 5, analyze key dates for different regions and answer the question of why this model became so popular among Xiaomi fans.

If you’re planning a purchase or just wondering about the Mi Band’s history, here’s a comprehensive look at everything from first leaks to official announcements, including firmware features and compatibility with other Xiaomi ecosystem devices. And we’ll compare the Mi Band 5 to its predecessor, the Mi Band 4, so you can gauge the progress over the year.

The official release date of Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in the world

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 launched globally on June 11, 2020, the day Xiaomi officially unveiled its hit fitness bracelet at an online presentation in China, but sales dates varied across countries, due to the brand’s logistics, certification and marketing strategies.

Here are the key dates for the major markets:

🇨🇳 China: June 11, 2020 – start of pre-orders, June 18 – start of sales.
🌍 Global Market: 30 June 2020 – Official Announcement for Europe and Asia (excluding India).
🇮🇳 India: September 15, 2020 – Late Release Due to Regulatory Delays.
🇷🇺 Sales started in July 2020 through official distributors and partners of Xiaomi.

Interestingly, the Mi Band 5 was the first bracelet in the lineup to receive magnetic charging – this innovation significantly simplified the process of connecting to the charger compared to previous models, which used special “capsules”.

📊 You are watching the announcements of new Xiaomi gadgets?

Yeah, I always know.

Sometimes, if something's interesting.

No, I buy it when I need it.

I prefer other brands.

Chronology of events: from leaks to release

The Mi Band 5 story began long before the official announcement, with rumors and leaks first appearing in March 2020, when prototype photos and specs began to circulate online.

Date.	Event	Source
March 2020	The first leaks with photos of the bracelet and mentioning XMSH10HM (model code).	Weibo, Twitter (@Xiaomiui)
April 2020	Confirmation of NFC support in the Chinese version (later appeared in the global version).	3C Certification (China)
May 2020	Leaked full specifications: AMOLED-display 1.1, 11 sports modes, improved heart rate sensor.	GSMArena, XDA Developers
11 June 2020	The official announcement at the presentation of Xiaomi together with Redmi 10X.	Mi.com, YouTube (Xiaomi)
July 2020	The start of sales in Europe and Russia. the price started from 1 999 rubles. in Russia.	Official shops

A month before the release, the network appeared fake versions of the Mi Band 5, which externally copied the design of the original, but had a stripped-down functionality. Xiaomi even issued an official warning to buyers, advising to purchase the gadget only from trusted sellers.

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To check the originality of the Mi Band 5, pay attention to the packaging: the official model on the box must have a hologram sticker with a silk. QR-code to check on the Xiaomi website.

How Mi Band 5 differs from Mi Band 4: key improvements

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 was not a revolutionary upgrade compared to the Mi Band 4, but brought a few important changes that made it more convenient and functional.

📱 Display: enlarged to 1.1" (against 0.95" Mi Band 4) permittingly 126×294 The pixels, the brightness grew to 450 thread.
🔋 Charging: magnetic connector instead of “capsule” – now you do not need to remove the module from the strap.
🏃 Sports modes: added yoga, jumping rope, elliptical trainer and rowing (a total of 11 modes against 6 in the predecessor).
💓 Heart rate sensor: updated version with improved measurement accuracy (the error has been reduced to a lower level) ±3%).
🎨 Animated dials: over 100 options, including characters from Dragon Ball and One Piece (in China).
🔄 PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence: a new activity assessment algorithm that takes into account the pulse and duration of loads.

However, not all of the changes were positive, such as the battery capacity decreased to 125 mAh (versus 135 mAh for the Mi Band 4), which slightly reduced battery life from 20 days to 14-16 days when used actively.

Why did you reduce the battery?

To accommodate the magnetic charging and increase the display, engineers had to optimize the interior space of the case, which made the battery more compact, but Xiaomi compensated for this with a more energy-efficient chip.

Compatible with Xiaomi firmware and devices

The Mi Band 5 runs on Mi Fit firmware (version 4.6.0 and higher), but also supports Zepp (formerly Amazfit), which offers advanced training analytics. It is important to note that a smartphone with Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ is required to fully work the bracelet.

Here is a list of Xiaomi devices that the Mi Band 5 integrates best with:

📱 Smartphones: Xiaomi Mi 10/11, Redmi Note 9/10, POCO X3 (Thanks to optimized Bluetooth 5.0).
🖥️ Tablets: Xiaomi Pad 5/6 (Support for notifications and data synchronization).
🔊 Smart speakers: Xiaomi Smart Speaker (voice reminders about training).
💡 Smart home: Mi Home compatibility for scenario automation (e.g. turning on lights when waking up).

One of the key advantages of the Mi Band 5 is NFC support in both Chinese and global versions (XMSH10HM model), which allows you to use the bracelet for:

🚇 Payment for metro fares (in Moscow, Beijing, Shanghai).
💳 Contactless payments via Mi Pay (requires a bank card link).
🔑 Unlocking doors with NFC-locks (compatible models).

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The NFC in the Mi Band 5 only works with Chinese and global versions. In the Indian and some European versions, this module is missing - check the labeling before buying!

To update the firmware bracelet use the official application Mi Fit:

Open Profile → Mi Band 5 → Update firmware.
Connect the bracelet to charging and wait for the file to load (weight ~5-7 MB).
Do not disconnect the bracelet from your phone during the process (it takes 3-5 minutes).

Make sure the bracelet is charged > 50%|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Close the background apps on your phone|Do not use the bracelet during the upgrade.-->

Where to buy the original Mi Band 5 in 2026?

Although the Mi Band 5 was released in 2020, it can still be found on sale, both new and used.

⚠️ Warning: There are many Mi Band 5 fakes on the market, especially in Chinese online stores.The original bracelet must have:

📦 Hologram packaging and QR-code for verification on the official website.
🔍 Serial number on the back of the module (starts with MIL or XMSH).
📱 Compatible with Mi Fit (fakes often only work with unofficial firmware).

Where to find the original:

🛒 Official stores: Mi Store, Xiaomi Shop on AliExpress (seller Xiaomi Official Global Store).
🌐 Marketplaces: Wildberries, Ozon, Amazon (check the reviews and seller ratings).
🔄 Used market: Avito, Yula - but only with a serial number check!

The average price for the new Mi Band 5 in 2026 is:

🇷🇺 Russia: 2,500–3,500 rubles (depending on the configuration).
🌍 Europe: €25–€40 (Amazon DE/ES).
🇺🇸 USA: $20–$35 (on eBay or Walmart).

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If you buy a used bracelet, ask the seller to send a photo of the serial number and check it through the Mi Fit app before payment, which will save you from forgery.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Despite its reliability, the Mi Band 5 can encounter typical malfunctions, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone.	Outdated version of Mi Fit or Bluetooth crash	Update the app, reboot the bracelet (Settings → Reboot)
NFC's not working	Model without NFC or inactive feature in Mi Fit	Check the marking (should be XMSH10HM), turn on NFC in the bracelet settings
The battery goes down fast.	Active background heart rate monitoring or outdated firmware	Turn off the constant pulse measurement (Settings → Heart rate monitoring), update the software
Not showing notices	Mi Fit's lack of permissions or communication failure	Check the permissions in the phone settings, reconnect the bracelet

If the bracelet stopped turning on or does not respond to charging, try resetting it to factory settings:

Connect the bracelet to the charger.
Press and hold the touch button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
Release the button and the bracelet will reset.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will remove all data from the bracelet, including training statistics!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Mi Band 5

Can I use Mi Band 5 without a smartphone?

Yes, but with limitations, the bracelet will count steps, tell time, and measure your heart rate manually, but you still need a phone to synchronize data, updates, and notifications.

Does the Mi Band 5 support a swimming pool?

Yes, the bracelet has 5 ATM protection (sustains immersion up to 50 meters), but for accurate tracking of swimming you need to choose the swimming mode manually.

How to distinguish the original from the fake?

Original: Hologram on the packaging with QR-The serial number on the module (starting with the MIL or XMSH). Magnetic charging (fakes often have micro-sized ones)-USB).

Can I change my band to Mi Band 5?

Yes, the straps are compatible with the Mi Band 4/5/6. Standard width is 18 mm. Official straps are sold in Xiaomi stores.

When did Mi Band 6 come out? Should we upgrade?

The Mi Band 6 was released on March 29, 2021, and it received a larger display (1.56) and 30 sport modes and an improved sensor. SpO₂. Upgrades are worth it if you care about these features, but the Mi Band 5 is still a reliable choice for basic tracking.