Recently we got a chance to review the Xiaomi Mi Band fitness wearable. Xiaomi is known for diversifying their range of product and this product is another step is that direction. At the Mi4i smartphone launch they announced the Mi Band at a price tag of Rs. 999/- which easily makes it the most affordable fitness band.
Look and Feel
Compared to most other companies’ wearables, the Xiaomi Mi Band is a very basic product in both design and features. At an affordable price tag, Xiaomi tries to keep Mi Band functions to a possible optimum ensuring the product is useful enough and comfortable enough to wear. Main construction is rubber with a simple band and pin method of fastening. The strap is just wide enough to hug your wrist but not too wide, so for me it is comfy and lightweight. The rubber band comes in a range of other colors.
A small alloy capsule body is fitted in the middle of the band where it has 3 LED notification lights, Bluetooth and tiny 41 mAh battery which provides 30 days life. To charge the Mi Band, the alloy body can be pushed out of the rubber band and quickly charged via USB with the specially designed included USB charger. The Mi features IP67 water resistance, so it is well protected from water and sweat.
The packaging is same as all Mi products, a square beige color box with a nice sponge on the inner side and is beautifully crafted. The main Activity Tracker, silicone band, charging cable and user manual are what you got inside the box.
How it works:
Though the Mi Band looks very basic and available at a very cheap price, it is very capable of doing an array of useful things which really impressed me. Other than tracking various fitness metrics, including the number of steps you take and your sleep cycle, it also acts as an alarm clock and can even unlock your Xiaomi smartphone. There is also a small built-in motor which can be used as a vibration alert when an alarm is set through the Xiaomi Mi Band App. But the alarm feature that only buzzes 3 times and might not be enough to wake you up, so ensure yourself to have another alarm set as a backup. The Mi Band App also allows you to set the color of the LED notification lights (blue, orange, green, red) and generally lets you set the device up as you like. In a bright day you might find difficult to see small LED notifications.
Pros: Affordable, lightweight, water resistant, 30 days battery life
Cons: Software could have been better
Price: 999/-
Specs:
Type: Watch-style
Tracking metrics: Motion / steps, sleep
Water resistant
Rechargeable battery
Colors: Black, gray, silver, blue, green, pink, orange
