Mi Smart Band 6: Unleashing the New Era of Affordable Fitness Tracking?

The capsule can be removed, but it’s not necessary since the magnetic charger provided allows for easy charging. The underside of the capsule contains pins for recharging the 125mAh battery integrated into the band. Xiaomi has kept the battery capacity consistent with that of the Mi Smart Band 5, leading to some concerns regarding battery life given the larger screen. Situated right above the charging pins are the heart rate and SpO2 sensors. The Mi Smart Band 6 has no physical buttons, relying solely on touch for navigation. Xiaomi has made this band water-resistant up to 5ATM, and it even supports swimming tracking.

Stress tracking is a highlighted feature of the Mi Smart Band 6

The Mi Smart Band 6 is compatible with Bluetooth 5, pairing seamlessly with smartphones operating on Android 5.0 or newer. It can also connect to iPhones running iOS 10 or higher. You can utilize the Mi Fit app or the Xiaomi Wear app for setup, and it is compatible with the widely used Strava application. My experience involved using the Xiaomi Wear app, which I also utilized for reviewing the Redmi Watch and the Mi Watch Revolve Active.

Features and Software of Mi Smart Band 6

The Mi Smart Band 6 is packed with features. Xiaomi asserts that this device encompasses 30 distinct fitness modes and can automatically recognize six types of workouts. Users can monitor steps, distance, and sleep along with SpO2 levels and stress, as well as menstrual cycle tracking. The Mi Smart Band 6 is also capable of computing what Xiaomi refers to as a PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) index derived from various health metrics.

Connecting the app with the Mi Smart Band 6 is straightforward, and many of the band’s parameters can be adjusted through the app. Users can choose which widgets to display on the Mi Smart Band 6 and their arrangement. There are numerous widgets available, although only six can be fitted on the Band 6. No matter your selections, all activity metrics are easily accessible within the app. Similarly, you can specify which applications can send alerts to the Mi Smart Band 6.

The health sensors and charging contact points reside on the underside of the band

Health monitoring options can also be adjusted via the connected app. Users can set the frequency for heart rate measurements, activate continuous stress tracking, and enable the sleep assistant, which boosts the heart rate tracking frequency during sleep. With the Mi Smart Band 6, Xiaomi has rolled out a breathing score metric that is currently in beta. The device utilizes its SpO2 sensor to monitor blood oxygen levels throughout the night. A majority of these features are inactive by default, so time investment is needed in the app to customize the device according to personal preferences.

Within the Xiaomi Wear app, users can also decide which apps on their phones can send notifications through the Mi Smart Band 6. There is even an option to program the band to unlock your smartphone and provide vibrations for incoming calls and messages.

Performance and Battery Life of Mi Smart Band 6

I tested the Mi Smart Band 6 for two weeks to evaluate its tracking precision as well as its battery longevity. When it comes to tracking accuracy, this wearable ranks among the finest in its price category. I manually counted 1,000 steps while walking, and the Mi Smart Band 6 registered 1,002 steps; this deviation is minimal. To assess distance accuracy, I utilized the treadmill mode for a 1km walk, and the Mi Smart Band 6 reflected the same distance. This device also allows users to save the distance from the treadmill exercise.

Wearing the Mi Smart Band 6 on my right wrist alongside an Apple Watch SE on my left, I compared their heart rate tracking accuracy during workouts. The heart rate readings from the Mi Smart Band 6 fell within the same range as those from the Apple Watch SE (Review), showing only minor occasional variations, which is acceptable. The sleep tracking capabilities of the Mi Smart Band 6 were also precise, accurately documenting the times I went to bed and woke up. The app provides an overview of deep, light, REM, and awake durations, along with a breathing score (based on SpO2 measurements) if this feature is activated. Additionally, helpful tips for improving breathing are offered. The SpO2 tracking feature was quite accurate, aligning with readings from a standard pulse oximeter.

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The magnetic charging mechanism makes recharging the Mi Smart Band 6 a breeze

Xiaomi suggests a battery life of 14 days; however, achieving this is improbable if you exercise five times a week and consistently monitor all parameters. Most features on the Mi Smart Band 6 come deactivated by default, meaning it doesn’t track heart rate continuously, provide app notifications, or monitor stress unless desired. Configuring the Mi Smart Band 6 to measure my heart rate every five minutes, enabling app alerts, sleep scores, and idle notifications, and tracking workouts five days a week, I found that the band lasted eight days before needing a recharge. Activating PAI would further decrease battery life since it necessitates heart rate logging every minute.

Charging the Mi Smart Band 6 was hassle-free. There was no need to extract the capsule from the band. The magnetic charger connected securely to the rear of the band, charging from zero to 40 percent in 30 minutes and reaching 83 percent in an hour. Overall, the battery performance is less than that of the Mi Smart Band 5, necessitating more frequent recharges.

Final Thoughts

After two weeks of testing the Mi Smart Band 6, I can confidently state that it serves as a reliable fitness band, producing dependable metrics. Its accuracy in tracking steps, distance, and sleep is commendable. Fitness tracking has notably improved from the Mi Smart Band 5 (Review), now accommodating a wider variety of activities. The implementation of SpO2 monitoring arrives at a timely moment, allowing for quick assessments throughout the day.

Xiaomi has maintained the same battery capacity in the Mi Smart Band 6 as seen in the previous model. This is an aspect I hope to see enhanced in future iterations. With a larger display and more features, battery longevity has decreased. Nevertheless, with reasonable usage, it can still achieve a lifespan of about 8-10 days, making it a commendable fitness wearable for its price.