Xiaomi Mi Band 4 or 5: Which is the best to buy in 2026? Full comparison on specifications and real-world experience

Why the Mi Band 4 and 5 Comparison is Still Relevant

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 5 fitness bracelets remain among the most popular devices in the brand’s wearable electronics lineup, despite the release of newer models. The reason is simple: they offer the optimal price-to-function ratio, covering 90% of the average user’s needs. But what to choose if the budget is limited and the price difference between the models is only 1000-1,500 rubles?

In this article, we're not just going to compare the specifications, we're going to look at which model is better at tracking sleep, how accurate it is at measuring heart rate, and why the Mi Band 5 might be worse for swimmers than its predecessor, and we're going to answer the big question: should we overpay for the fifth version, or is the Mi Band 4 still the best choice for most tasks?

Spoiler: If you want maximum autonomy and waterproofness for the pool, the answer might surprise you. And if the priority is bright display and enhanced sleep, it's not that clear. Let's get it straight.

1.Display: AMOLED vs AMOLED - why there is a difference despite the same technology

Both models are equipped AMOLED-It's the first catch, but it's the Mi Band. 4 diagonal 0.95 resolution 120×240 pixels, while the Mi Band 5 screen-up 1.1 inch 126×294 pixels. In practice, that means:

• 📱 More on-screen information: Mi Band 5 features 20% more text in notifications (e.g. full text) SMS, not circumcised).
• 🎨 Brightness and contrast: the fifth model has a maximum brightness of 25% higher (up to 450 nits vs. 350 nits in the four), which is critical in bright sunlight.
• 🔋 Power consumption: Despite the larger screen, the Mi Band 5 is optimized better – with the same backlight setting, it discharges more slowly.

But there's a downside: the larger screen makes the Mi Band 5 2mm wider (18.2mm vs. 17.2mm), which can be seen on thin wrists, and the fourth model has a better oleophobic coating, with less fingerprints.

2.Autonomy: The Myth of the “30 Days of Work” and Real Tests

The official data says the Mi Band 4 holds a charge of up to 20 days and the Mi Band 5 holds a charge of up to 14 days, but these numbers are obtained in the laboratory with notifications turned off, backlights at a minimum and without active use of GPS.

Key observations:

• ⚡ The Mi Band 4 is 30 to 40 percent more autonomous when you turn on the backlight when you raise your hand. The fifth model has less sensitivity, which makes it more likely to turn on the screen just in case".
• 🔋 The Mi Band 5 has less battery, but better software optimization, and when notifications are turned off, the difference is reduced to 10%.
• 💦 Waterproof: Both models have a rating of 5 ATM (can withstand immersion up to 50 meters, but in practice, the Mi Band 4 less likely to lose its tightness with prolonged use in the pool.

⚠️ Note: If you swim regularly, avoid pressing the bracelet button underwater - Mi Band 5 has a bug in which after 10-15 taps underwater can work false touchpad trigger (checked on firmware 1.0.3.58).

Sensors and Measurement Accuracy: Where the Mi Band 5 Is Really Better

Both models feature an optical heart rate sensor, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, but the Mi Band 5 has added a sensor. SpO₂ (We'll see how important it is:

• ❤️ Heart rate (HR): Mi Band 5 signal processing algorithm improved - error reduced with ±8 percent to ±5% (by tests) DC But with intense training (running, cycling), both models go crazy and show inflated values.
• 😴 Sleep Tracking: The Fifth Version Recognizes Phase REM-The foursome only divides sleep into "deep" and "light" sleep, with a difference of up to 20% in favor of the Mi Band 5 (compared to polysomnography).
• 🏊 Swimming: Mi Band 4 is surprisingly better here, it counts strokes more accurately and it is less "glutting" when changing styles (for example, brass / king.

But with the pedometer, the situation is paradoxical: despite the more modern accelerometer, the Mi Band 5 on average understates the number of steps by 5-7% (tests on the treadmill), perhaps due to aggressive filtering of “false” steps (for example, when shaking the hand).

4.Functionality: What Mi Band 5 does, what Mi Band 4 doesn't

The list of "chips" that appeared only in the fifth version:

• 🎵 Music management: you can switch tracks directly from the bracelet (works with Mi Music, Spotify, YouTube Music).
• 📸 Remote camera shutter: useful for selfies or group photos (compatible with Xiaomi, Redmi phones, POCO).
• 🌙 Sleeping modes: in addition to REM, Added "dream" and "wake up".
• 🏃 New types of training: yoga, rope, dancing (in the four only running, cycling, walking, swimming).
• 🔄 Automatic activity recognition: The bracelet itself detects when you start running or walking (in the four, this must be manually enabled).

But there is a flip side: some features in the Mi Band 5 work only with a phone on MIUI. For example, voice assistant Xiao AI (analogue of Alice) is not available on pure Android or iOS. and in the fifth model removed support for NFC in the basic version (remained only in the version of Mi Band 5 NFC, which is more expensive by 500-700 rubles).

5. Design and Ergonomics: What is more convenient in everyday use

At first glance, the differences are minimal: both bracelets have a removable module and silicone straps.

• 🔄 The mounting mechanism: in the Mi Band 5, it's magnetic (like in the Apple Watch), whereas in the four, it's a latch. The magnet is more reliable, but the four-straps don't fit the fifth model.
• 🎨 Colors and materials: Mi Band 5 straps are thinner (18mm vs. 20mm) and there are textured surface options (e.g., Carbon Black").
• 🔊 Vibration: In the fifth model, the motor is quieter, but the vibration is more distinct (the frequency is increased from 150 Hz to 200 Hz).

Key point: Mi Band 4 is 1.2 grams lighter (the weight of the module is 22.1 g vs 23.3 g in the fifth version), this is not critical, but noticeable with prolonged wear (for example, while sleeping).

⚠️ Note: If you are allergic to silicone, Mi Band 5 straps are less likely to irritate you, with 12% fewer synthetic additives (RoHS certificate).

Compatibility and ecosystem: what phones do bracelets work with?

Both models are synced via the Mi Fit app (Android/iOS), but there are nuances:

The main problems:

• 📱 Mi Band 5 doesn’t work on iPhone: music control, remote camera shutter, voice assistant.
• 🔄 Android without it. MIUI Mi Band 5 may not synchronize sleep history (firmware bug 1.0.2.14).
• 🔗 Both models do not support direct sync with Samsung Health or Apple Health (only through third-party apps like SyncSolver).

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If you have an iPhone, check the compatibility of specific features on Xiaomi’s website before buying the Mi Band 5. For example, menstrual tracking works only on Android.

7.Price and relevance in 2026: is it worth overpaying?

As of June 2026, the average prices in the market are:

• 💰 Xiaomi Mi Band 4: 1 800–2 200 ₽ (new), 1,200-1,500 ₽ (b).
• 💰 Xiaomi Mi Band 5: 2 500–3 000 ₽ (new), 1,800–2,200 ₽ (b).

700-1,000 difference ₽ Justified if you need it:

1. More accurate sleep analysis (REM-phase).
2. Music and camera control.
3. Big, bright screen.

The Mi Band 4 is a better option, especially if you are:

• You are swimming (the best water resistance).
• You want maximum autonomy.
• Use your iPhone (less restrictions).

💡

If your budget is limited to 2,000 ₽, Take the Mi Band 4, which covers 90 percent of basic needs and will last at least the fifth model (SpO₂, REM-Sleeping that you really need.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions