The emergence of the third generation of the popular fitness tracker from the Chinese giant caused a real stir among fans of wearable electronics. Many users have been waiting for this model for a long time, since the predecessor, the Mi Band 2, remained relevant for too long and could not surprise with modern features. The main attention is attracted by a radical renewal of the design and the appearance of a full-fledged touch screen, which replaced the tiny one. OLED-single-button screen.
Developers from Huami and Xiaomi tried to take into account the criticism of previous versions, making the device more autonomous and functional. Now the tracker is able to display notifications from messengers, has an improved pulse sensor and water protection according to the 5 ATM standard. The question of what Xiaomi Mi Band 3 has brought to the industry of budget gadgets worries many, because competition in this segment is growing every month.
In this article, we'll take a look at all the innovations, compare the specs with past models, and see if it's worth spending money on buying this device right now, and you'll learn about the real-world features of the screen, the charging features and the hidden features that aren't written about in the official instructions, and see if this is really a revolution in the world of affordable trackers.
Revolutionary OLED-display and control
The most noticeable change that catches the eye when you first look at the device, was the 0.78-inch. OLED-Unlike its predecessor, where the screen was barely visible, the display covers almost the entire area of the capsule, with a resolution of 128 by 80 pixels, which allows you to output clear numbers and even pictograms. This is not just a cosmetic improvement, but a change in the logic of interaction with the gadget.
Now, you can control it through the touchpad at the bottom of the screen, so you don't have to look for a physical button or do complicated manipulations to switch modes, you just have to have a light touch to activate the lights or flip through the menus, but you have to note that the sensor only responds to short taps, and you have to swipe up or down the surface to scroll through the information.
⚠️ Warning: Touch screen does not support multi-touch and complex gestures. Do not try to drive your finger left-right - this action is not provided by the tracker software.
The brightness of the display is automatically or manually adjusted, but even at minimal values it reads well in bright sun. In the dark, you can turn on the "raised wrist" mode, which activates the screen when you turn the hand. This saves battery life significantly, since the backlight does not burn constantly.
Autonomy and charging process
One of the main trump cards of the Mi Band lineup has always been autonomy, and the third model was no exception: battery capacity has been increased to 110 mAh, which, combined with an energy-efficient screen, allows the device to operate up to 20 days in standby mode. Real use with notifications on and constant monitoring of the pulse reduces this time to 10-12 days, which is still a great indicator.
The charging process has undergone changes that may surprise previous generations: the capsule no longer needs to be removed from the strap to connect to the charger, and on the bottom of the case are two golden contacts, which are attached to a special cable. The kit includes a short wire-adapter, which one side connects to the tracker, and the other sticks into the usual USB-port.
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Use it. USB-computer port or low-power adapter (5V 1A) for charging to avoid overheating of the capsule and extend the battery life.
But there's a caveat: to connect the cable, you still have to take the capsule out of the silicone strap because the contacts are closed, and this is for better moisture protection, but it adds extra action every time you charge, and it's important to keep the contacts clean, because sweat and moisture can oxidize them, which can lead to charging problems.
Functionality and new tracking capabilities
The tracker's software has received a number of significant updates. It now recognizes more activities, including running, walking, cycling and swimming. The pulsemeter sensor is more accurate and faster, although in extreme load modes, the error may still be present. For pool enthusiasts, support for the 5 ATM standard is important, which means that you can dive to depths of up to 50 meters.
Notifications from your smartphone are now displayed in full text, not just a call icon. You can see who wrote to you on WhatsApp, Telegram or sent you SMS. Language support is extended, and Russian is displayed correctly, without "crazy buckets." It also became possible to wake the phone with a vibration of the bracelet if it is in silent mode.
- 🏃♂️ Automatically detect walking and running with vibrational goal reminder.
- 🌊 Swimming mode with the counting of strokes and SWOLF (swimming-efficiency).
- 📱 Notifications of calls and messages with the display of the contact name.
- 🌙 Automatic analysis of sleep phases, including daytime naps.
The tracker not only records when you haven't moved, but also tries to identify the phases of deep and superficial sleep, and it syncs with the Mi Fit app, which builds a detailed graph, to help you adjust your daytime routine and understand why you might feel tired.
Comparison of characteristics: Mi Band 2 vs Mi Band 3
To understand the scale of the change, we need to make a direct comparison of the technical specifications of the second and third generation, the difference is visible to the naked eye, especially when considering the age of the predecessor, and the third version offers a more modern approach to user interaction.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi Band 2 | Xiaomi Mi Band 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display. | 0.42 inches, monochrome | 0.78 inches, OLED, touch |
| Permission | 128 x 32 pixels | 128 x 80 pixels |
| Water protection | IP67 (splash, rain) | 5 ATM (swimming, showering) |
| Battery capacity | 70mAh | 110 mAh |
| Charging. | Capsule removal from strap | Contacts on the hull (with a notch) |
As you can see from the table, increasing battery capacity and improving water protection are key technical upgrades. While swimming was a risky activity for the Mi Band 2, the Mi Band 3 is officially certified for this, and the increased screen size is also worth noting, which makes reading information much more comfortable.
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The transition to 5 ATM and the increase in battery capacity make the Mi Band 3 a full-fledged sports gadget, not just a pedometer.
Replacement straps and capsule design
The capsule is designed to be streamlined and smoother, with no sharp edges, easier to lie on the wrist and less interference when worn under the cuff of clothes or while sleeping. However, the strap design has changed. They now hold on special latches on the sides of the capsule, making them more reliable, but incompatible with the straps from the Mi Band 2.
The accessories market responded instantly to the release of the new product, with hundreds of strap options available to users, from classic silicone to metal, leather and wicker models, making it possible to turn a simple fitness tracker into a stylish accessory suitable for both the gym and office dress code.
The materials used in new straps often have perforations to better ventilation the skin, which reduces the risk of irritation when worn for long periods of time, which is especially true in hot seasons or during intense training, and it takes only a few seconds to replace the strap and requires no tools.
Software and compatibility
The tracker requires the Mi Fit app, which is available for Android and iOS, and it's where the basic device setup, firmware updates and statistics are done. The interface has been updated to make it more logical and informative, and you can customize the data you see on the screen, the steps and the alarm clocks.
☑️ Primary setup of Mi Band 3
One of the big things about this is that you can install third-party dials, and although the official store offers a limited selection, enthusiasts have created a lot of customization tools, so you can put your photos on the screen, change your fonts, or add new indicators.
⚠️ Warning: Installing untested dials from third-party sources can cause the tracker to run unstable or the battery to run out quickly.
Operating system compatibility is wide: the device works with Android 4.4 and iOS 9.0 and higher. However, notification functionality on iOS may be limited compared to Android due to Apple's security policy. For example, you can't respond to a message directly from the bracelet on either platform, but you can quickly reject a call or reset the alarm.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim in the Mi Band 3 in the pool and the sea?
Why does the tracker not see the pulse or show an error?
Are the Mi Band 2 bands compatible with the third generation?
How to reset the tracker to factory settings?
To sum up, the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 was a significant step forward compared to previous versions. OLED-The screen has changed the user experience by making interaction with the device more intuitive. Despite some tradeoffs in the form of the need to remove the charging capsule, the set of characteristics makes it one of the market leaders in its price segment.