Xiaomi Mi Band 3, 4 and 5: what’s the difference and which bracelet to choose?

Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been the benchmark for price-performance. Mi Band 3, Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 5 are some of the most popular in the lineup, but their differences are not always obvious to the buyer. If you are faced with a choice between these three generations, it is important to understand what has changed with each new version and what innovations have brought the developers.

On the one hand, all three bracelets perform basic tasks: track steps, pulse and sleep, display notifications from a smartphone, but on the other hand, the difference in design, screen, sensors and software capabilities can be critical. AMOLED-Display and support for contactless payments, while the Mi Band 3 is limited to monochrome screen and minimalist functionality. In this article, we will analyze each model in detail, compare them by key parameters and help determine which bracelet is relevant for purchase in 2026.

1. Design and Ergonomics: What has changed on the outside?

The first thing that catches your eye when comparing the Mi Band 3, 4 and 5 is the evolution of the body and strap. If the Mi Band 3 looks as as ascetic as possible (a plastic body with a physical button and a removable strap), then the Mi Band 4 has rounded edges and a more premium coating. And the Mi Band 5 has received magnetic charging altogether, which saved users from having to take the capsule out of the strap.

Importantly, all three models are compact and weigh around 20 to 25 grams, so wearing any of the bracelets remains comfortable around the clock. However, only the Mi Band 5 supports official fast-mounting strap change from Xiaomi – previous generations require third-party adapters.

• 🔹 Mi Band 3: Monochrome OLED-screen, physical button, removable charging capsule.
• 🔹 Mi Band 4: Colored AMOLED-display, touch control, improved water protection (5) ATM).
• 🔹 Mi Band 5: Magnetic charging, brighter screen, official interchangeable straps.

⚠️ Attention: Bands from Mi Band 3 Incompatible with Mi Band 4/5 If you buy accessories, check the model!

2. Screens: from monochrome to AMOLED

One of the most notable improvements between generations is the display.Mi Band 3 monochrome OLED-resolution-screen 128×80 It's a pixel that only displays black and white characters, which limits the customization of dials and makes the interface less visual. 4 Xiaomi switched to color AMOLED permittingly 120×240 pixels – this allowed to add animated dials and improve readability in the sun.

The Mi Band 5 retained AMOLED, but increased its brightness to 450 nits (versus 400 nits in the 4th version) and added support for dynamic dials with smooth animations. Also in the fifth generation, the Always-On Display feature (constantly active screen), although it significantly reduces battery life.

If you care about visual comfort, the Mi Band 3 is a little bit less than that, but the Mi Band 4 and the 5 are not as big of a difference, except that the latter is a little brighter and supports animation.

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To extend the life of the screen, turn off Always-On Display in the Mi Band 5 settings and reduce the brightness to 50-70%.

3. Sensors and health tracking

All three bracelets are equipped with an optical heart rate sensor and an accelerometer to track activity. However, the accuracy and functionality of these sensors vary. For example, the Mi Band 3 only measures the pulse in manual mode or during training, while the Mi Band 4/5 does this automatically every 5-30 minutes (depending on the settings).

Key improvements in Mi Band 5:

• 🩺 Sensor. SpO₂ to measure blood oxygen saturation (important for sleep control and overall health).
• 💤 Improved algorithm for analyzing sleep with phase division (REM, lung-deep sleep).
• 🏃 11 training regimens (vs. 6 for Mi Band 3), including swimming, yoga and elliptical trainer.

The Mi Band 4 also includes support for women’s menstrual cycles, and the Mi Band 5 has improved this feature by adding an ovulation prognosis, but none of the models have built-in GPS – a smartphone connection is required to track routes.

⚠️ Attention: Sensor SpO₂ Mi Band 5 is not certified for medical use, and his testimony is indicative and does not replace professional diagnostics.

Autonomy: How long does the battery live?

One of the key parameters for a fitness bracelet is the time it runs without recharging, where the leader is the Mi Band 3, which has a 110 mAh battery capacity, which can last up to 20 days in standby mode, but its monochrome screen and lack of color backlight saves energy significantly.

Mi Band 4 received a battery of 135 mAh, but due to the color AMOLED-display autonomy was reduced to 14-18 days. Mi Band 5 returned capacity to 125 mAh, but thanks to software optimization and magnetic charging, the real time was 10-14 days (with active use of Always-On Display - up to 7 days).

If you want a bracelet with maximum autonomy, the Mi Band 3 is still the best choice, but keep in mind that it is far inferior to new models. The Mi Band 4 is the best option for balancing capabilities and operating time.

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Magnetic charging in the Mi Band 5 It's more convenient, but it requires the original cable. USB-Mi Band charging 3/4 not fit!

5. Software capabilities and compatibility

All three bracelets work with the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life in newer versions), but the functionality of the software is very different. For example, Mi Band 3 supports only basic notifications (calls, SMS, messengers), while Mi Band 4/5 can show full previews of messages (including emojis and pictures in some cases).

Key programmatic differences:

• 📱 Mi Band 5 supports contactless payments (NFC) In some regions (e.g. China via AliPay), this feature is not officially available in Russia.
• 🎵 Music Management: In Mi Band 4/5 You can switch tracks directly from the bracelet, while the Mi Band can be switched. 3 this one.
• 🔄 Automatic Activity Recognition: Mi Band 5 better detects walking, running and cycling without manually running the tracker.

It’s also worth noting that the Mi Band 5 has a voice assistant (only in Chinese firmware) and the ability to control the camera of a smartphone (for example, for selfies), which are not available in previous generations.

⚠️ Attention: NFC-The module in the Mi Band 5 only works with Chinese versions of the bracelet! European and global versions do not have this feature.

Support for your smartphone (Android 5.0+/iOS 10.0+)

NFC (Chinese version only)

Strap compatibility (20 mm, quick replacement)

Official Guarantee (avoid grey supplies)-->

6.Price and relevance in 2026

At the time of writing (2026), the prices for bracelets were as follows:

• 💰 Mi Band 3: 1 500–2 500 ₽ (b/w or new residues).
• 💰 Mi Band 4: 2 500–3 500 ₽ (boxy).
• 💰 Mi Band 5: 3 500–4 500 ₽ (new, depending on the strap).

Should you pay more for the Mi Band 5? SpO₂, But if the main tasks are tracking steps, pulse and notifications, then the Mi Band 4 offers the best value for money. Mi Band 3 in 2026 makes sense to buy only as a budget option for basic fitness tracking.

Also, consider that Xiaomi has already released the Mi Band 6 and Mi Band 7, so the Mi Band 5 is gradually coming off the shelves. If you find it at the price of the Mi Band 4, take it without hesitation!

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Before buying, check the release date of the bracelet in the settings (About the bracelet → Production Date). Too old devices (2020 and earlier) may have a worn-out battery.

7. Which model to choose? Summary

Let us summarize the results in the form of a checklist:

• ✅ Mi Band 3 is for minimalists who only need steps, pulses and notifications. Pros: cheap, long autonomy. Cons: monochrome screen, outdated sensors.
• ✅ Mi Band 4 is the gold standard in price/quality. Color screen, good autonomy, all the basic features. Cons: no SpO₂ And always-on display.
• ✅ Mi Band 5 is for those who want the most features: SpO₂, Animated dials, magnetic charging, cons: more expensive, lower autonomy, NFC It only works in the Chinese version.

If you choose between Mi Band 4 and 5, you should focus on budget and features, SpO₂ It may be useful for controlling sleep, but if you don't sleep with a bracelet, it doesn't make sense to overpay.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 3, 4 and 5