Xiaomi has just announced the Mi Band 6, the latest version of its popular fitness band series. The new smart band features a much bigger AMOLED display, more fitness modes, and a SpO2 blood oxygen monitor absent in the predecessor, the Mi Band 5.
The Mi Band 6 was announced in China along with the MI 11 Pro and MI 11 Ultra smartphones in a live event streamed globally. The Mi Band 5 has been my daily driver; my fitness band of choice for months. Xiaomi has updated the Mi Band with a bigger display from 1.1 inches to 1.56 inches — that’s about 50% more display real estate for you. Obviously, a bigger screen means more content can be fitted into an already miniature screen, and a better touch navigation experience.
Another major update is a built-in SpO2 or blood oxygen sensor. Now we have seen these in last year’s Amazfit Band 5. Given that Huami Technologies, the company behind the Amazfit products is the same one contracted to build the Xiaomi Mi Bands, I kind of knew this was coming to the Mi Band 6. In fact, in my review of the Amazfit Band 5, I recommended users to stick with Xiaomi’s Mi Band 5 even though it was missing an SpO2 monitor. This was on the grounds that the Amazfit Band was less accurate according to my field experience.
Read more: Amazfit Band 5 Review: SpO2 monitor on cheap, but Stick with the Mi Band 5
With the Mi Band finally getting a SpO2 sensor, that’s more reasons to stick with the Mi Band. In the same league meanwhile, Huawei’s recently launched Honor Band 6 also features a SpO2 monitor. If you’re looking into more premium options of the same fitness band form-factor, the Fitbit Charge 4 is a good option to look at.
Other than a bigger display and a SpO2 monitor, the Mi Band 6 has added more additional fitness modes. While the Mi Band 5 had about 12 modes, the Band 6 now has about 30 fitness modes, six of which are auto-detected; walking, treadmill, cycling, rowing machine (ergometer), and elliptical.
Full Specifications
| Xiaomi Mi Band 6 | |
|---|---|
| Display | - 1.56-inch AMOLED - Tempered glass with anti-fingerprint coating - 152 x 486 resolution - 326ppi - Up to 450 nits - 60+ band displays |
| Sensors | - PPG heart rate sensor - 3-axis accelerometer sensor. - 3-axis gyroscope sensor - SpO2 sensor - Connected GPS |
| Battery | 125mAh (14-day promised battery life) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Tracking and other features | - 30 fitness modes - 6 auto detection modes - SpO2 tracking - Sleep tracking - Breathe exercise - Stress monitoring - Female health tracking - PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) - Idle alerts - Camera remote shutter |
| Water resistance | 5ATM |
| App compatibility | - Mi Wear app - Mi Fit app |
| Charging method | Magnetic charging |
| Supported devices | - Android 5.0 and above - iOS 10 and above |
| Dimensions | - 47.4 x 18.6 x 12.7mm - Strap: 155 - 219mm |
| Colors | Black, Orange, Yellow, Olive, Ivory, Blue |
The Mi Band 6 inherits all the other features of the Mi Band 5, including sleep tracking, breathing exercises, stress monitoring, female period tracking, Personal Activity Intelligence(PAI) score, idle alerts, remote camera shutter, and more.
Read More: Xiaomi Mi Band 5 Guide: 5 Features You Should Turn On
The Mi Band 6 has a 125mAh battery which offers about 2 weeks of usage on a full charge. Xiaomi retained the magnetic charger which means you should be able to charge the device with its predecessor’s charger. The Band 6 is 5ATM water-resistant, connects to Mi Wear or Mi Fit App, and Supports Android 5+ and iOS 10+.
The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 will be available in China soon for CNY 230 ($35/€30) for the regular version. The NFC edition costs CNY 280 ($42.60). In Europe, the band will cost €45. This should start rolling out globally in a few weeks. Check back for the review.
