Has long been in the hands of passers-by is easier to notice one of the generations the fitness bracelet Mi Band than any G-Shock. In Xiaomi are aware of the extraordinary popularity of this gadget, so constantly releasing updates.
It happened this year: in the first half of June, Xiaomi presented for the fifth generation of the Mi Band. In it, the manufacturer took advantage of the fourth and thoroughly «shaken up» — going forward, Mi Band 5 was very good.
We produced a Chinese version of the gadget. International still exists — do not pay attention to the signature «global version» in lots on AliExpress. Fortunately, the wait for the release of the Mi Band 5 outside of China not long, the announcement should take place before the end of the summer.
Let’s talk about changes!
Display and design
The main improvement is the display. Now he’s 20% more: diagonal up to 1.1 inches, and the resolution increased to 126×294 pixels. Rectangular matrix increased mainly in height, which allowed us to add an additional line to display content. But there is a downside — the number of colors decreased from 24 bits to 16 bits (from 16 million to 65 thousand shades). It’s hardly noticeable in normal use, but it will save battery life.
Otherwise it’s the same display type AMOLED with touch layer, covered by a 2.5 D glass.
Externally, the Mi Band Mi Band 5 and 4 are virtually indistinguishable. Yes, the capsule is slightly less than the second, so the bracelets are not interchangeable. It must be borne in mind for those who have managed to accumulate a decent collection of different straps.
Battery and charging
Despite the slightly grown in size, the bracelet was almost twice as easier — 11.9 g 22.1 g. is It primarily caused by the reduction of the capacity of the battery with 135 mAh 125 mAh. Because of this, lower the minimum promised battery life from 20 days to 14 — however, it’s still a gorgeous figure, moreover, it depends on the activity of use.
Another cool improvement is the process of recharging the bracelet. Now you do not need to squeeze the pod from the strap, and after charging try to insert it back, because the back surface has a magnetic platform attaches to a special plug — much easier than it was.
However, to pull the capsule is still possible, for example, to change the straps. For each generation on AliExpress always have different options of bracelets from metal to some sort Milanese loop.
Software and customization
The firmware is the Chinese version there are only three supported languages: English and two dialects of Chinese. Russian no, but as it was with past generations, one day he will appear with the software update of the bracelet.
Fans will be happy to change the dials every day, because now more than a hundred, including themed with Sponge Bob, Evangelion and other heroes of our time. Select is really, there are as minimalistic and functional options. Download on the bracelet dials using the Mi Fit app, which syncs the.
Since the smartphone you can select any image for the background of the dial, and adjust the font color to avoid merging. Useful is the dial with the possibility of customization of the information blocks. In addition to the current time, it is possible to place two blocks with the weather, the current pulse, the level of PAI (more on that later) — in short, virtually any indicator.
About the possibility to configure notification of incoming calls and notifications, alarm clocks, reminders to mention would be superfluous. In the bowels of the Fit parameters Mi can be found to change the frequency of the pulse, the order of items in the main menu of the bracelet and the section with the sports modes and much more.
Sports function
Go to the fitness component. Mi Band 5 is able to track the activities of eleven types of sport, from running to rowing. Mi Band 4 was supported by only six types of physical activity. Interestingly, if the wristband detects that you are running, the screen will prompt the user to initiate recording of the appropriate training.
As before, in the app and on the bracelet’s screen you can see the heart rate data during exercise, the frequency and number of steps, average pace and calorie expenditure. You can adjust the vibration at too high heart rate, when connected to a smartphone, using the GPS with him during training on the street to record a track of movements.
The menu has a section responsible for PAI — Physical Activity Index. This activity index, calculated on the basis of information about the pulse, the intensity of daily activity and «integrated assessment of personal and psychological data». In General, you should try to keep PAI above a hundred, and then, according to the researchers, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and prolong life.
Girls useful function for tracking the menstrual cycle and determine the time of ovulation. Yet there was a tracking stress — all this is supplied with charts and diagrams all in the same Mi Fit.
As in the case of Mi Mi Band 3 and Band 4, the novelty is available in two versions. Only if before the only difference was the presence of a more expensive model of the module NFC, now the older version is allocated an infrared module for measuring heart rate. It works together with green LEDs and conventional Mi Band 5. In Xiaomi say that this is improvement algorithms improve the accuracy of pulse sensor by 50%.
Pumped and tracking sleep quality — it works supposedly 40% more accurate. It is also affected by the addition of an infrared module and software improvement.
But sensor blood oxygen saturation is not here, as it is not claimed leaks and rumors. But they say that in your application code Mi Fit mention functions are still present, but only for the global version of the bracelet. So wait, when Mi Band 5 get to at least to Europe.
More
Again, only the version with NFC got a magnet bracelet can interact with the voice assistant XiaoAI. Since there is no dynamics, the whole response content is displayed on the screen. To test this function, unfortunately, failed — none of the wording does not speak Chinese and other languages XiaoAI did not know.
NFC in China, the Mi Band 5 may be used for fare payment in public transport and as a smart pass, and soon there will be support for contactless payment for purchases using UnionPay QuickPass. In Russia, of course, none of this really did not work.
How to distinguish a version with NFC from the usual? Very simple: the first touch the button marked with an inverted letter U, and the model without NFC — circle. So it was the Mi Band 4.
Another new feature — a remote shutter, that is, with the bracelet can be start the shooting on camera phones. I wonder why Xiaomi guessed before this only now, because the function is already there from competitors, for example, in bracelets and Huawei Honor.
And if you’re somehow wondering, the inside of the bracelet is 512 KB of RAM and 16 MB of internal. Wireless Bluetooth module use the same version as that of the predecessor — 5.0.
Prices and conclusions
The sale is available in eight color options of bracelet, from light pink to bright yellow capsule in any case black. It is strange that no ordinary white strap, there is hope on the craftsmen from AliExpress.
The base model of the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in China costs 189 yuan (~1900 rubles). Version with NFC a little more expensive — 229 CNY (~2300 rubles). Interestingly, you can occasionally find selling Mi Band 5 with delivery to Russia even cheaper for 1850 rubles.
It is clear that if you choose the Chinese version of the wristband for use we have, the NFC module in the more expensive models at the moment are useless. Yes, the craftsmen can add support for contactless payment by way of modifications, as happened with Mi Band 4, but you need to wait for the function will appear in the global version of the Mi Band 5, which will obviously happen soon.
But now motivated to purchase a Mi Band 5 with NFC appeared from those for whom it is important to monitor heart rate and sleep quality, after all, claimed a significant increase in the accuracy of these functions.
As for the question of the transition to Mi Band 5 with previous generations. The enlarged display, convenient charging, steep faces, and many new options for tracking physical activity and health — in my opinion, quite strong arguments for updating, even with Mi Band 4. In the end, we’re not talking about expensive Apple Watch is to change the bracelets can be at least every six months.
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