The Mi Smart Band 6: A Comprehensive Review – More Features, Smaller Battery Life?
With the world slowly returning to normalcy, many are eager to get back to their fitness routines or start new ones. Xiaomi’s latest addition to their popular fitness tracker lineup, the Mi Smart Band 6, is perfectly timed for this resurgence of activity. This new band boasts SpO2 measurement and an expanded array of workout tracking features compared to its predecessor, the Mi Smart Band 5. But does the Mi Smart Band 6 truly deliver on its promises? Is it a worthwhile addition to your fitness journey, or are there better options available? I spent several weeks putting the Mi Smart Band 6 to the test, and I am ready to share my insights.
Mi Smart Band 6 Price in India
The Mi Smart Band 6 is priced at Rs. 3,499 in India, but previous Mi Smart Band owners can avail a Rs. 500 discount, making it a more palatable Rs. 2,999. While Xiaomi is currently offering the Mi Smart Band 6 only in black with a black strap, a variety of color choices are available for the customizable strap.
The Mi Smart Band 6 is capable of logging more types of workouts than the Mi Smart Band 5
Mi Smart Band 6 Design and Specifications
Like its predecessors, the Mi Smart Band 6 features a capsule-shaped core and a TPU strap. Though it initially appears identical to the Mi Smart Band 5, the display dramatically differentiates the two. The Mi Smart Band 5 had a small rectangular display, while the Mi Smart Band 6 stretches to the edges of the capsule with incredibly thin bezels. This AMOLED display now measures 1.56 inches and boasts a resolution of 152×486 pixels. It’s protected by tempered glass and an anti-fingerprint coating, effectively minimizing smudges.
The capsule is removable, although this is rarely necessary, as charging is conducted using the included magnetic charger. The underside of the capsule houses a charging pin connector for its 125mAh battery. Xiaomi has left the battery capacity unchanged from the Mi Smart Band 5, raising concerns about the impact of the larger screen on battery life. Above the charging pins are sensors for heart rate and SpO2 monitoring. Since the Mi Smart Band 6 lacks physical buttons, navigation is entirely touch-based. It also boasts impressive water resistance with a 5ATM rating, enabling swimming tracking.
Stress tracking is a claimed feature of the Mi Smart Band 6
The Mi Smart Band 6 supports Bluetooth 5 and can be paired with Android devices running Android 5.0 or higher and iPhones running iOS 10 or later. It is compatible with various applications including Mi Fit, Xiaomi Wear, and Strava. During my testing, I used the Xiaomi Wear app, which I had previously used for the Redmi Watch and the Mi Watch Revolve Active.
Mi Smart Band 6 Features and Software
The Mi Smart Band 6 is loaded with features. Xiaomi claims 30 different fitness modes and the ability to automatically detect six types of workouts. In addition to tracking steps, distance, and sleep, it offers SpO2 and stress tracking, as well as menstrual cycle tracking. The Mi Smart Band 6 even calculates a PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) index based on various health parameters.
Pairing the app with the Mi Smart Band 6 is effortless, and numerous settings can be adjusted through it. You can personalize the display by selecting and arranging widgets, choosing from a wide range of options with a limit of six for the Mi Smart Band 6. The app provides a comprehensive overview of all activity parameters and allows you to select which apps are available for use on the device.
The underside of the band has the health sensors and charging contact points
Health monitoring features can be customized using the connected app. You can set the frequency of heart rate tracking, enable/disable all-day stress tracking, and activate the sleep assistant, which increases the frequency of heart rate monitoring while you sleep. Xiaomi has also introduced a breathing score metric (still in beta) on the Mi Smart Band 6, utilizing its SpO2 sensor to track blood oxygen levels during sleep. Most of these features are initially disabled, requiring a bit of time in the app to configure the device to your preference.
Within the Xiaomi Wear app, you can also choose which phone apps can send notifications to the Mi Smart Band 6. You can even set it to unlock your smartphone and vibrate for incoming calls/messages.
Mi Smart Band 6 Performance and Battery Life
I rigorously tested the Mi Smart Band 6 for two weeks to evaluate its accuracy and battery life. In terms of tracking accuracy, this is one of the best wearables you can find in this price range. My manual count of 1,000 steps during a walk resulted in a negligible deviation, with the Mi Smart Band 6 registering 1,002 steps. To assess distance accuracy, I walked 1km on a treadmill in the Mi Smart Band 6’s treadmill mode and it accurately recorded the same distance. The device also allows you to save the distance reading from treadmill workouts.
To compare heart rate tracking accuracy, I wore the Mi Smart Band 6 on my right wrist and an Apple Watch SE on my left during workouts. The Mi Smart Band 6 displayed heart rate readings within a similar range to the Apple Watch SE, with only minor and infrequent deviations, deemed acceptable. The Mi Smart Band 6 also proved accurate in sleep tracking, precisely logging the time I went to bed and woke up. The app provides a detailed breakdown of deep, light, REM, and awake sleep periods, along with a breathing score (derived from SpO2 readings) if enabled. You’ll also find tips for improving your breathing. SpO2 tracking on the Mi Smart Band 6 was fairly accurate, producing readings comparable to those of a standard pulse oximeter.
A magnetic charger makes it convenient to charge the Mi Smart Band 6
Xiaomi claims a 14-day battery life, but this is unlikely to be achieved if you exercise five days a week and actively track all parameters. Most Mi Smart Band 6 features are initially disabled, meaning it won’t continuously monitor heart rate, display app notifications, or track stress unless you choose to activate them. I set the Mi Smart Band 6 to track my heart rate every five minutes, enabled app notifications, sleep score, idle alerts, and tracked workouts five times a week. With these settings, the Mi Smart Band 6 lasted for eight days before requiring a recharge. Expect battery life to further decrease if you enable PAI, as it demands heart rate logging every minute.
Charging the Mi Smart Band 6 was a breeze. There was no need to remove the capsule from the strap. The magnetic charger firmly attached to the underside of the band. Charging from zero to 40 percent took 30 minutes, and it reached 83 percent in one hour. The battery life is notably lower than the Mi Smart Band 5, necessitating more frequent charging.
Verdict
Having tested the Mi Smart Band 6 for two weeks, I can confidently say it’s a commendable fitness band with reliable measurements. It excels in tracking steps, distance, and sleep. Fitness tracking has undergone improvements compared to the Mi Smart Band 5, and the Mi Smart Band 6 is capable of tracking a wider range of workouts. The addition of SpO2 tracking is timely, allowing for quick readings throughout the day.
Xiaomi has not updated the battery capacity of the Mi Smart Band 6, a feature I hope will see improvement in future models. The larger display and added features have resulted in reduced battery life. However, with moderate usage, it can last for 8-10 days, making it a solid fitness wearable for its price.
Final Thoughts
The Mi Smart Band 6 is a strong contender for anyone seeking a budget-friendly fitness tracker. Its robust functionality, including SpO2 monitoring and improved workout tracking, coupled with accurate measurement capabilities make it an attractive option. While the shorter battery life might be a drawback for some, its overall performance and price point make it a solid value proposition.
