What can a $13 fitness bracelet do?

Fitness bracelets are popping up like mushrooms today, and most of them are similar in functionality. Technically, these are quite simple gadgets, so all the differences lie in the design and software. How to stand out and attract the attention of buyers? The Chinese company Xiaomi has chosen the right path by releasing a fitness bracelet with a record low price: only $13! For comparison, the official price of Jawbone Up24 in the US is $129.99, that is, ten times more (and that’s before state tax).

But let's return to the Mi Band bracelet. How did Xiaomi manage to make this product so cheap and how much worse is it than its competitors with a price tag several times higher? Or maybe not worse? Let's figure it out.

First, let's look at the specifications of the new product.

Technical specifications of Xiaomi Mi Band

• Screen: none
• Water and dust protection: yes (IP67 standard)
• Strap: Detachable, multiple colors available to choose from
• Compatibility: devices on Android based 4.4
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 LE
• Sensors: accelerometer, pedometer
• Cameras, Internet: no
• Microphone, speaker: no
• Indication: 3 single-color LED indicators, vibration signal
• Battery: 41 mAh
• Weight 13 g

In hardware terms, the bracelet is almost identical to devices such as Jawbone Up24 and Sony Smartband SWR10. There are no surprises (neither positive nor negative) here. Therefore, let's move on directly to studying the gadget.

Equipment

The bracelet comes in a small box made of unpainted cardboard.

The package contents are basic: the bracelet itself (it consists of two elements: the main unit and a silicone strap), a short charging cable and a leaflet with a manual in Chinese.

Special mention should be made regarding charging. Unlike Sony, Xiaomi has opted for a proprietary solution. This, of course, is a minus, because, firstly, you will have to carry this cable with you on trips (whereas the SmartBand SWR10 could be charged from any Micro-USB cable), and secondly, if the cable is lost or broken, you will have to buy new bracelet.

On the other hand, there is nothing special to break here (unless the wire itself frays). On one side of the cable there is a cradle, where we insert the main block of the bracelet with the contacts forward, on the other side - USB plug 2.0.

Design

The appearance of fitness bracelets is the main stumbling block: not everyone wants to wear something of dubious beauty on their wrist, especially since the bracelet is supposed to be used not only during exercise, but throughout the day. It was the inexpressive design that was the main complaint about the Sony SmartBand SWR10. We expected even worse from Xiaomi: cheap, and even Chinese! But here's a miracle - the bracelet not only does not cause rejection with its appearance, but, on the contrary, makes you admire the hand in the bracelet for the first time.

All thanks to the oval aluminum surface of the main unit. It is she who attracts attention first of all when the bracelet is put on.

The back of the main unit, where it touches the hand, is made of plastic, as are the rounded edges (they are completely covered by the strap when the bracelet is on).

The strap is silicone. It ensures a tight fit and retention of the main unit, so even during active activities, the likelihood of the unit popping out of the strap is minimal.

Externally complete strap is nothing special, although one cannot make any claims against it. Fastening is carried out using a metal pin. Thanks to the availability large quantity holes for fastening, the bracelet can be worn by owners of hands of any size and thickness.

The only criticism regarding the appearance of the strap is the oval loop on one end. It is clear that it is made for a more reliable fastening on the hand - it is assumed that you need to thread the other end of the strap into it and then insert the pin into one of the holes. But this loop spoils the aesthetics a little. However, this is already nitpicking - it’s unlikely that anyone will look at such details on your hand. All attention is drawn to the truly beautiful metal oval coating.

Let us also note one more detail: there are no buttons, connectors or touch zones on the main unit (and even more so on the strap). Only two contacts remind you that there is electronics inside. However, when the bracelet informs you of the achieved goals, three blue indicators flash on the aluminum surface (on devices with the other color scheme their color may be different).

In general, Xiaomi designers managed to create a device that you can take with you for a run or even to the pool (the bracelet is protected from moisture and dust according to the IP67 standard), but there is no shame in wearing it under a suit or complementing a stylish casual look. I never thought that I would use a 13-dollar Chinese bracelet as an example for a similar product. Sony(with a price tag several times higher), but we have to admit: the Xiaomi Mi Band is significantly more attractive than the Sony SmartBand SWR10. By the way, among the promotional photos of Mi Band there is this one.

It is not entirely clear where and when it will be possible to buy such straps, as well as what their price will be, but it is obvious that, complete with such a strap, this will generally be the most stylish fitness bracelet we have ever seen.

Pairing with a mobile device

To work with the bracelet, you need to install an Android application. Unfortunately, there is no app for iOS, and this is one of the main disadvantages of the Mi Band compared to the Jawbone Up24. Second point: the name of the Android application is in Chinese, so finding it in the Play Store is not so easy. The best way is to scan the QR code in the manual.

The second problem is that not only the name, but also the application itself is in Chinese, and it is not clear how to switch the language on the first screens. However, there are already many options online for translating the application into other languages. For example, XDA Developers has a good one, and 4pda.ru has a Russian one. We simply download such an application in the form of an APK file, load it into the memory of the mobile device, and allow installation from unknown sources- and install it. We tested the bracelet with the English version.

The application can be installed on both a smartphone and a tablet. But you will still need a smartphone to create an account. When registering, you need to enter a phone number to which an activation code will be sent. Why such difficulties and why it was impossible to limit ourselves to just email and password is not entirely clear. But - as it is.

Finally, when everything is done, you will see a screen like this. The application interface is very minimalistic and not very convenient, because small translucent letters and icons on a colored background are difficult to read. And the pictograms are not always clear.

As a matter of fact, the functionality and information content of the software is very limited. All basic information will be displayed on this screen. The circle in the upper (colored) part displays the ratio of the distance traveled and the remaining distance (relative to a given goal). Below the circle is the distance traveled and the number of calories burned.

At the bottom (on a white background) the text displays statistics and the time interval when you were active.

If you click on the line with statistics, you will see expanded information and an activity diagram. Please note that the bracelet distinguishes between walking and running.

If we click on the circle on the right top corner, we will get the same information as in the previous screenshot, but collected in such a way that it is convenient to publish it on a social network. The problem is that only Chinese social networks are supported; there are no Facebook or Twitter here. So for Russian users this possibility is practically meaningless. By the way, it is interesting that when a goal is achieved and exceeded, the background color changes.

Let's go back to main screen and swipe across the colored area from left to right. Here we will see information about our sleep last night. Sleep phase tracking - second key opportunity bracelet (after measuring the number of steps).

The diagram shows how long the user slept in deep sleep (dark areas), how long in light sleep (light areas), when he woke up (orange bars), what time he went to bed and what time he woke up. Of course, there is also a smart alarm function. On the main screen, click on the circle in the upper right corner and select Alarm from the drop-down menu.

Here we set the time at which we need to get up (that is, by this time the alarm clock is guaranteed to wake you up) and move the lever opposite Smart Alarm. After that, click Confirm at the top - and that’s it, you don’t need to do anything else. You don’t need to press any buttons on the bracelet (there aren’t any), switch it to some mode before going to bed... The bracelet automatically “recognizes” that you have gone to bed and will wake you up with vibration at the earliest half an hour before the time you indicated in the program by selecting the light sleep phase.

What else can a bracelet do? It can notify you of a missed call, and you can also use the app to find the bracelet if you forgot where you put it (it will vibrate).

It is reported that in smartphones supporting the sixth version MIUI firmware(for example, new Xiaomi flagships) supports unlocking using a bracelet. But we tested the bracelet with a device where this feature was not provided. That's all, actually.

Impressions of use

During use, we compared the measurement accuracy Xiaomi steps Mi Band with iPhone 5s with Runtastic Me app installed. Recall that the iPhone 5s has a coprocessor Apple movements M7, which collects and processes data from sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, compass), so its proper use allows you to count steps with high accuracy. So, the results of the bracelet and the iPhone 5s were slightly different, but the difference was not so great that this could somehow affect the conclusions during normal (household) use of the bracelet. That is, its results can be completely trusted.

It’s the same with sleep: we tried to cheat the bracelet and just put it on the table instead of taking it to bed with us, but the app later said that “you didn’t wear the bracelet last night.” In turn, when the bracelet is actually put on your hand at night, it wakes you up quite correctly and, thanks to the convenient compact strap, does not particularly interfere. As a minus, we note that if the bracelet is discharged at night, it will signal a couple of times right in the middle of the night, after which it will turn off completely and will not wake you up in time. You have to be very careful to ensure that the bracelet does not run out of charge.

If you don't keep track, you risk oversleeping. It’s strange that the developers did not provide any backup option - for example, to mobile device, to which the bracelet is connected, signaled in right time.

True, it works for a long time without recharging - about a month is promised, and although we have not used it for a month, judging by how the charge decreases, we are inclined to consider this close to the truth. Note that information about the remaining charge is not very intuitively located: in Mi Band Settings. To get to it from the main screen of the application, you need to make two clicks.

There is no indication of the remaining charge on the bracelet itself. As for the three LED indicators, when charging they glow green, when there are signals - blue, and if you raise your hand in such a gesture, as if we are looking at the time wristwatch, then so many LED indicators will flash, how many percent of the goal has been reached or how much charge is left. For example, if we have walked a third of the required number of steps, then one indicator lights up, if two thirds, then two... But this is in theory, but in practice it works with varying success. And the opportunity to shine different colors practically not used for any informative purpose (I already know that I am charging the bracelet, there is no need to report this in a separate color). In general, for now indicators are nothing more than a decorative element, which, however, in the future (when the software is improved) can become a useful information element.

Another disadvantage: the bracelet does not have a reminder mode for long periods of inactivity, like the Jawbone Up24. There is also no daytime sleep mode (again, it is in Jawbone Up24, and many people love it very much: for example, if you want to take a nap during the day and have such an opportunity, then this mode allows you to sleep for about forty minutes and wake up before the body goes into sleep mode). deep sleep phase, and therefore, after waking up you will feel rested and refreshed).

And one last thing. The bracelet sometimes takes quite a long time to synchronize with the application, and if the mobile device turns off the screen, the process stops and you have to start it again. We're in sync in this case We understand the transfer of information from the bracelet to the mobile device. The fact is that it is not at all necessary to constantly wear a bracelet together with a mobile device. At the end of the day, you can simply connect the bracelet to your smartphone/tablet and press Sync. Then data about activity for the past day and sleep for the past night will be transferred to the application. And this process takes from ten to fifteen seconds (if the bracelet and mobile device were not separated at all, and previous synchronization was carried out quite recently) up to a minute or two. For comparison, in Runtastic Me on the iPhone 5s, a similar operation is carried out in a few seconds in any case, although the essence is the same: transferring data from sensors to the application (I don’t think that the amount of data is much more than the width of the Bluetooth 4.0 channel, so it’s unlikely Is this the problem with the slowness of the bracelet synchronization).

conclusions

Before us is a very simple and attractive device that efficiently copes with all the tasks assigned to it and has no critical flaws. Of course, the Xiaomi Mi Band software is inferior in functionality and convenience to some of its analogues (note that unimplemented functions such as daytime sleep or activity reminders are precisely software flaws that are not so difficult to fix). However, we cannot say that the same Sony SmartBand SWR10 or Huawei TalkBand B1 are many times better. Yes, they have their own characteristics, advantages, interesting additional features(headset mode for TalkBand B1, smartphone control for SWR10), but does this justify such a price difference?

Let's imagine that Xiaomi came out with this bracelet on Russian market, translated the application into Russian, implemented integration with our popular social networks, provided official support and delivery... Under such conditions, the cost could safely be set at, say, 2000 rubles - and it would be a hit and very powerful competition for the above-mentioned devices . Today you can buy it even cheaper, albeit without the Russian language, social networks and official support. Fairy tale? Without a doubt.

Of course, Mi Band is difficult to compare with Jawbone Up24, because both in terms of software functionality and in terms of reputation in the world of fitness enthusiasts, Jawbone Up24 is many steps further. And most importantly, Jawbone has much wider support different models smartphones, including iPhone. True, the price of Jawbone Up24 is many times higher than that of Mi Band. Therefore, we can say that these devices are simply for different audiences - like, say, a mid-budget Android smartphone and a Vertu. But for everyone less famous brands who are trying to ride the wave of popularity of fitness bracelets today, the competition with Xiaomi is simply deadly - especially if the Chinese company does something to bring this device to the market outside the Middle Kingdom.

In the meantime, Xiaomi Mi Band is an ideal option for those enthusiasts who have no problem placing an order in a foreign online store and want to try what kind of beast this is - a fitness bracelet, but paying several thousand rubles for it is a toad, because you driven by pure curiosity, and not by serious intentions to plunge headlong into sports (there are more functional devices). In addition, this is a great gift for a relative or friend (of any gender) - especially if you help with installing the application and won’t tell you how much this gadget costs :)

For excellent appearance For a minimal cost we present our Original Design award.

Twice a week I have to get up at 6 o'clock in the morning. It's very early and quite difficult for me. And then, very fortunately, I came across information about a device that can wake you up during REM sleep. And the feeling should be as if you woke up yourself. Having seen the price of the device, I, without hesitation, ordered it for myself.

I'll talk about a rather difficult purchase later. Actually, as well as whether the device helped me or not.

In addition to a smart alarm clock, the device has other functions: it can notify you of a call on your mobile phone, count steps, how far you have run, how many calories you have burned. And all this works without recharging for a whole month. Now about all this in more detail.

Package

Xiaomi Mi Band (that is the name of the device) will come to you in a beautiful cardboard box, packed in transparent plastic.

All that is on the box is the logo on the front and a sticker with technical information in Chinese. For a device from China at this price, the box is really very well and neatly made. Yes, and it looks good.

Equipment and appearance

When you open the box, you will be greeted with a completely ready-to-use device. The module itself is already inserted into the bracelet. All you have to do is take it out of the box and put it on your hand. In addition to the bracelet with the module, in the box you will find a charging cable and instructions in Chinese. You need to be careful with the cable, because you won’t find a second one just like that.

All I can say about the material of the bracelet is that it is thermoplastic silicone vulcanizate. Whatever that means. It is pleasant to the touch and very elastic. The clasp is metal and fastens quite tightly. But it unfastens if you pull hard on the pocket. I think the bracelet will wear out pretty quickly. After all, this is a device that is used 24 hours a day. That's why I immediately ordered additional bracelets for $2. The length of the bracelet is about 23 centimeters. This is worth considering for people with large wrists.

Now about the module. It is made of metal and plastic. According to the documentation, it is dust and waterproof. According to the IP 67 standard, it is designed for short-term immersion to a depth of more than 1 meter. That is, you can wash your hands calmly. But I would advise wiping it thoroughly with a dry towel or napkin after contact with water. This is the third day in a row that I have forgotten to take off my bracelet before taking a shower. I wiped the module and the bracelet itself - everything is fine, everything works.

There are three diodes on the module, the color of which you can choose in the application. There is a Mi logo on the back. The bracelet looks very stylish on your hand. Especially in black or blue color. The first couple of days you admire the bracelet, then you get used to it and simply forget about it.

Instagram/startsevalex

Application

The lion's share of the price of such devices comes from application development costs. After all, quite complex algorithms are used for calculations. So, in a device for 15 dollars the application also good quality. And it's improving very quickly. I've had the fitness tracker for a week now. During this time, the application was updated three times and the module firmware was updated twice. Don’t let the word “firmware” scare you - everything changes automatically, your participation is not required.

But good app only available for Android. To connect to the module you need a smartphone with Android version 4.3 and higher. It is important that your smartphone has Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy. There is a beta version of the application for Apple phones, specifically for iPhone 4S and higher on iOS 7.1 and higher. You can read about it on 4pda.

First, you need to create an account in the application. When registering, you will need to enter a phone number starting with the numbers 00380 (for Ukraine). But during authorization you already need to enter +380. Many people get confused at this step. After logging in, the app will ask you a couple of questions about you and your body. These are weight, height and gender.

Now in the application settings you can specify how many steps you want to take per day. Bet more. I couldn’t even imagine that I was walking more than 7.5 kilometers a day. You can also choose the color of the indicators: blue, orange, green or red. You must indicate which hand you are wearing the device on.

If you have a need, you can turn on the bracelet vibration in the settings when incoming call. It's very, very convenient. For example, I’m sitting in the library with headphones on and don’t hear the phone vibrating, but the smart bracelet notifies me about this. After last update appeared new item in the settings - indication of alerts. This feature does not work on my Nexus 5 with Android 5.0.

Smart alarm clock and sleep

The bracelet records how you sleep throughout the night. Keeps track of which sleep phase you are in. The tracker distinguishes between deep sleep, REM sleep and awakening. If you wake up in the middle of the night and go get a drink of water, the app will record it. Or even if you just reach for your phone on your nightstand. I cannot say how accurately the tracker determines sleep phases. On the last night, he very clearly determined when I fell asleep, when I woke up for 10 minutes and when I began to sleep restlessly.

Now about the alarm clock. You can enable two types of alarms in the application. The first type is simple. Bracelet in certain time vibrates five times. The vibration is quite noticeable. If you do not wake up, the bracelet will vibrate again after a while. The second type of alarm clock is smart. You select a time, and the tracker will track when you are in REM sleep half an hour beforehand. And at this moment it will vibrate three times.

On the first night, the bracelet could not wake me up. I slept very soundly and didn't feel any vibration at all. AND me on Twitter complained that the alarm clock did not wake up. Of the seven nights, the first was the only one when the bracelet did not wake me up. Now I set four alarms at once: two smart ones at 6:00 and 6:05, a regular one at 6:10, and also on my phone just in case.

Is it easy to wake up? Yes, waking up has become much easier. This week I had to get up very early twice. And there were no problems. The feeling is much better compared to when I woke up without the bracelet. I was not boiled, and my head was not heavy. But the desire to lie in bed has not gone away. Now I'm trying to determine how much sleep I need per day. I hope that before the New Year I will be able to establish this amount of sleep and go to bed at the right time. As a result, I will always get enough sleep. I can say that the bracelet accustoms you to this well.

Pedometer

The first day I started wearing the bracelet, I saw the result - more than 8 thousand steps per day. Did not believe. I thought that it was 2-3 times exaggerated and started counting. The application provides information about the distance traveled. And this distance is true. The error is 30–40 meters per 1 kilometer. One step on average is 70 centimeters, which is also true. So I can say that the bracelet counts at least approximately correctly. Can trust.

If you want to see how far you've walked today, you have two options. The first is to open the phone, wait for synchronization and see a clear number of steps taken. The second is to make a gesture as if you are looking at a watch on your hand (if you are lucky and can do it quickly). And then the bracelet will start flashing. One flashing indicator means that you have not yet completed 1/3 of your planned progress. Two flashing diodes - 1/3 has already been passed and you are approaching 2/3 of the goal. When you reach your goal, the bracelet will make you happy by vibrating and winking.

The bracelet can help you count your jumps and crunches (). Support for other types of exercise is expected. The developer promises to add cycling recognition as one of the first features. This will allow this type of activity to be counted as physical activity.

If you lose your bracelet in your apartment, the application will help you find it. But to do this, you need to create complete silence in the room and select the Find band function in the settings. Then the device will begin to vibrate.

Autonomy

This device does not have any display. Just three LEDs. Plus the tracker needs to vibrate. In fact, the battery charge is not consumed for anything else. The battery capacity is 41 mAh. Thanks to all this, the device can last up to 30 days without recharging.

But this is what the manufacturer promises. But what about in practice? I wear this device already a week. During this time, the battery was discharged by 12%. This is taking into account three alarms and vibration turned on for calls. The tracker will definitely be enough for at least two weeks. I think it won’t be difficult to charge it 1-2 times a month.

The main thing is to charge exclusively from a computer or laptop. There have been cases when the device was charged directly from an outlet or from portable batteries, as a result, the module burned out. If this happens to you, try waiting until the device is completely discharged. Then put it on charge again - this time from the computer.

Purchasing a device

Xiaomi Mi Band can be purchased for approximately $13. But it will be one of the hardest purchases of your life. On the official website every Tuesday at 12 o'clock starts open sale. The number of devices that are sold is strictly limited. Before purchasing, 3-4 days in advance, you need to pre-order. Or rather, stand in line. And on Tuesday, sit and quickly, quickly press the “Buy” button. In general, there is little chance. Besides, everything is in Chinese.

There is a second method. It's 10 dollars more expensive. These are sellers on Aliexpress. Everything is simple and clear there. We found the cheapest option, checked the seller and ordered. I ordered from the Pandawill website. With four additional bracelets and slightly improved shipping, the purchase cost $34. Delivery to Germany took about 20 days.

Impressions and conclusions

I'm happy with the device. It really does the job that I bought it for. The tracker wakes me up at the perfect time for me. Now it’s not particularly difficult to get up early in the morning, I’m gradually getting on a schedule that will allow me. And all this thanks to the imperceptible bracelet on your hand.

Among the advantages of the bracelet for myself, I would also note the vibration when making a call. I use this function 100%. It would be nice if the bracelet learned to vibrate when alerted. For example, incoming mail, SMS, tweets, etc. And this can already be implemented using third party applications. You can find them on the 4pda website. By the way, I highly recommend reading the thread on the forum about the bracelet.

The bracelet motivates you to walk more. And this will have a positive effect on your health. You can also compete with friends to see who can walk the most in a day. Your body will thank you for this.

For me the conclusion is clear. Xiaomi Mi Band can and even should be bought. The device is not worth that much big money, like similar gadgets from other companies. And the tracker will be for you a good helper in sports (and not only) life.

Pavel Gorodnitsky - about the pros and cons of a gadget that costs only a couple of thousand rubles and is sold in crazy quantities.

At the very end of spring, Xiaomi presented the long-awaited Mi Band 3 tracker. The initial reaction of fans was complete disappointment. Fans believed that the Chinese would integrate GPS and a color screen into the bracelet, but their hopes were not justified: if you look only at the characteristics, the third generation of the device is almost no different from the second. A little bigger screen, a little better autonomy- that's all the progress. However, in the first three weeks, Xiaomi shipped a million new Mi Bands to stores - the demand was crazy.

The device also appeared in Russia almost immediately - it could be purchased in “gray” stores or ordered directly from China. Many of my friends have already acquired this device, and I tested it for several days. A summary of impressions is below.

The main thing is the price

Xiaomi acted very cunningly: it took advantage of the brand’s popularity, saved on production and set the lowest possible price tag. All this led to the fact that all competitors were washed away from the budget tracker market - only Mi Bands remained.

The third generation of the bracelet costs only $26. In Russia they ask for 2-2.5 thousand rubles for it if you contact “gray” sellers, and a little less than two thousand if you wait for a parcel from Asia. That is why, to the question: “Why do you need it?” Most people answer like this: “It’s so cheap, why not buy it. If I lose it, break it, or just get tired of it, I don’t mind.”

You need to understand two things. Firstly, if you want to save total money on a tracker from Xiaomi, it’s wiser to go with Mi Band 2 - it now costs about a thousand rubles. Secondly, it’s stupid to buy Mi Band 3 from official retailers - they want 4 thousand for it, and this is madness. A markup of almost 2.5 times is absolute chaos, be careful.

The screen is large, but not perfect

The main feature of the Mi Band 3 is a relatively large (for a bracelet) OLED screen. It is needed to show the time and display notifications. In principle, the display copes with missions, but there are nuances. The most unpleasant minus - sunlight: It is clear that due to the very cheap matrix the screen becomes critically blind under direct rays.

The second compromise is notifications: some bracelets without flashing do not have the Russian language, so carefully study the device before purchasing. However, support for the Cyrillic alphabet is still far from ideal - there is a huge distance between the letters, so it is inconvenient to read messages.

But still, the owners of Mi Band 3 note: if you properly configure the notifications themselves, the bracelet will vibrate only in the most important cases, and this useful option. For example, when a taxi arrives and you don’t want to take your smartphone out of your pocket again.

Heart rate monitor - the most pleasant surprise

The old Mi Band 2 has a heart rate monitor, but it is more like a random number generator - you can put two bracelets on two hands, and then get significantly different indicators.

Mi Band 3 also has an error, but it is tolerable - it will definitely be suitable for monitoring fat burning when you need to train in a certain heart rate zone (for example, 135-150 beats). Therefore, for simple cardio exercises, the third Band is definitely suitable, but if you need to monitor your heart rate every second, it is better to take something more expensive. And this is logical, because a decent heart rate monitor for 2 thousand rubles is already a holiday.

What to expect from the battery?

from side to side" does not kill Mi Band 3. Although it’s really better not to abuse diving.

What are the coolest features?

Health" (it is very beautiful). Although, unfortunately, many things (including the alarm clock) can only be configured in the proprietary Mi Fit app with its peculiar Asian interface.

What is missing?

Oh, for that kind of money it’s great!”, then only one burning question remains: where is NFC?

The version with the chip will appear only in September and will cost five dollars more than the usual ($31), but there is a good chance that it will be possible to pay using the bracelet only in China. That is, at first Xiaomi says: “Pfft, we don’t put NFC in cheap smartphones, because we don’t pay that way,” and then clamps the most useful chip for the rest of the world. It’s hard to follow the logic here - especially in China, although they often pay using QR codes.

Should I buy or not?

As mentioned above, it’s best to think of the Mi Band 3 as an inconspicuous and ultra-affordable bracelet with a solid set of useful functions.

The tracker has little to do with real sports due to the low cost of the sensors - the data will still be approximate and will not be suitable for anyone except beginners and amateurs.

The Mi Band 3 cannot be called a stylish accessory either: the design is very simple and minimalistic. But the bracelet is definitely beautiful as a souvenir - the device can be presented to anyone. And this is its most win-win and universal application.

It's time to talk about the hottest fitness bracelet. They called it everything – from market killer to Chinese miracle! Small, but remote, and at the same time almost the cheapest. Only Xiaomi could do this.

Market picture

IN modern society fitness bracelets have become an integral part of the life of every person who more or less tries to keep track of their physical condition– despite sedentary work or simply a reluctance to play sports. Therefore, new devices in this category appear like mushrooms after rain, while most of them are functionally no different.

Most fitness bracelets have it common feature– relatively high cost, which makes you seriously think about purchasing this type of device. Official price one of the most popular Jawbone fitness bracelets UP24 in the US - $129.99. In Russia it will be about 6-7 thousand rubles.

The legendary Chinese company Xiaomi decided to play on this. At an ultra-low price, the new Mi Band can do almost everything that its more expensive counterparts can do. How Chinese company Did you manage to reduce the price of such devices so dramatically? How is it worse than expensive competitors? And is it worse?

Technical characteristics of Xiaomi Mi Band:

• Screen: absent.
• Water and dust protection: standard IP67.
• Strap: Detachable, multiple colors and types available to choose from.
• Connection: Bluetooth 4.0 L.E.
• Sensors: accelerometer, pedometer.
• Microphone, speaker: no.
• Indication: 3 single-color LED indicators, vibration signal.
• Battery: 41 mAh.
• Weight: 13g.

Equipment

The fitness bracelet, like many products from Xiaomi, comes in an “eco-friendly” box with a company logo. Active module inserted into the cutout and when you open the box, only this is visible.

Hidden underneath is a bracelet, a strap, a charging cable and instructions in Chinese.

That's all, this completes the package. What else could you expect from a $15 bracelet?

Design

A cheap Chinese bracelet is a good example of an inexpressive design. However, even here Mi Band was able to surpass many more famous competitors!

The appearance of the bracelet does not cause rejection. On the contrary, it attracts attention and at first makes you look at your hand. The bracelet itself consists of a silicone strap and a small oval active block, which attracts attention in the first place.

The active unit is a small plastic capsule weighing 5 grams with an aluminum top cover. The case is waterproof and certified according to IP67 standard. The lower part of the module is made of matte black plastic with the company logo on it. back side. On one of the faces of the block there are contacts for charging.

There are no buttons, connectors or touch zones on the main unit. Under the top cover there are three LEDs. The blinking color of the LEDs can be selected in the proprietary application. They allow you to visually track your progress directly on the bracelet. To do this, you need to raise your hand as if you were looking at a watch.

One lit LED means that less than a third of the set steps have been completed, two – more than 2/3, and all three LEDs symbolize the completion of the specified daily number of steps. When connected to charging, the LEDs clearly show how much longer the device needs to be charged (the logic repeats the tracking of current progress).

The module is inserted into a tight silicone strap. It provides a tight fit and hold active block inside, so the likelihood of the block popping out of the strap is minimal.

The bracelet is fixed on the hand using a simple fastening - a plastic pin made in the style of the top cover of the active unit. Thanks to the availability large number holes for fastening the bracelet can be worn on hands of any size and thickness. The mount itself is reliable and does not take up much space on the bracelet.

Due to this fastening, the bracelet does not remind you of itself while being worn. This is especially true for those who want to wear this bracelet around the clock and track their sleep phases. The modular design of the bracelet allows replace the strap, if you have lost it, damaged it, or are simply tired of it.

For these cases, the manufacturer offers multi-colored silicone straps and also promises to release stylish leather ones.

Proprietary application and indication

Branded application Mi Fit Available for both Android and iOS. After installing the application, the user is prompted to basic settings your profile.

After this, you are asked to pair the bracelet with your smartphone. The bracelet itself always on(if charged), so to connect, just turn on smartphone Bluetooth and search for the bracelet in the application.

There is also a running assistant, which requires GPS enabled– and a smartphone in your pocket or backpack.

However, if we compare this program with analogues for more expensive models of sports trackers, its capabilities are not impressive in variety.

In addition to simple statistics tracking, the bracelet can perform smart alarm functions, vibrating on the hand. The bracelet can also vibrate during the day to notify you of incoming calls or new messages. Undoubtedly convenient opportunity, because at any time you can transfer your smartphone to silent mode and not be afraid to miss important calls.

Autonomy

With daily active use bracelet (pedometer, smart alarm clock, display of all notifications, running assistant) can work for 20-25 days on a single battery charge. If the Mi Band works in step counting mode for several hours a day, it can work more than 30 days! With my fairly active use, the bracelet worked without recharging for about a month.

Charging the bracelet occurs using a special charger and takes approximately 1.5 hours.

conclusions

Cheap Chinese pedometer turned out to be high quality a device that successfully copes with its functions. Mi Band is inferior in functionality to some analogues, but only in terms of software. The lack of "chips" is more than compensated by the low cost of the device, as well as excellent battery life (No votes)

website It's time to talk about the hottest fitness bracelet. They called it everything – from market killer to Chinese miracle! Small, but remote, and at the same time almost the cheapest. Only Xiaomi could do this. Market picture In modern society, fitness bracelets have become an integral part of the life of every person who more or less tries to monitor their physical condition...

The modern world strives to make our lives as simple as possible. This is especially appropriate today, when the pace of life becomes such that it becomes completely impossible to cope with the same amount of work on your own and feel good. A fitness tracker helps many people monitor their physical condition. This convenient device is equipped with many functions that will be useful not only for athletes, but also for ordinary people who are not involved in regular sports. Do you need it too? To sort this out, we bring to your attention a review of the Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelet. What is he? How to connect Xiaomi bracelet Mi Band? What are its features? How long does the charge last? Is it included in the basic kit Charger? How reliable is the strap that the seller provides upon purchase? What will help you find a bracelet if it gets lost in the house? What do customer reviews say about the ease of use? How will the fitness bracelet in question help you improve your well-being and monitor your physical fitness? You can get answers to all the above questions by reading this article.

Contents of delivery

The company in question has always been unusually demanding about exactly how the kit's packaging looks, the box in which it is delivered to the buyer, and exactly how the components are packaged. Let's talk about this in more detail. So, the box itself in which you will receive the device is designed in the manufacturer’s corporate style. Still she has one significant drawback, namely: the opening mechanism is not fully thought out, opening it is somewhat inconvenient. The box is made in the shape of a cube, which, accordingly, has equal sides. That is why, in order to open it, you will have to either pull top cover at opposite corners, which is not very comfortable, or to pick it up.

The package contains the bracelet itself, a cable for charging the device, as well as some documents. In the basic configuration, the device comes exclusively with a rubber strap. Additionally, you can order for yourself the strap that you personally like and reflects your personality.

Appearance

What does the Xiaomi Mi Band look like? The instructions say that the kit should contain a rubber strap and the core itself. The latter ensures the operation of the device. The set includes only rubber straps. However, something needs to be clarified in this regard. So, the belt is made not just of rubber, but of thermoplastic silicone vulcanizate. The material is durable and plastic, pleasant to the touch. In the center of the belt there is a special hole intended for the bracelet sensor. It is symmetrical, so it does not matter which side you place the core in your pocket. It is easy to attach the bracelet to your wrist. There is a special loop and a simple clasp for this. The tracker is attached securely and will definitely not fall off your hand. The bracelet weighs only thirteen and a half grams and does not interfere at all. The length of the strap for the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet is adjustable. The sensor is protected from dust and water (it can be briefly submerged to a depth of one meter).

Software

How to connect the Xiaomi Mi Band? To do this, you will need a smartphone that runs on iOS or Android, as well as equipped with Bluetooth function. Without these conditions, the bracelet will be useless.

In order to start using the device, you need to go to the appropriate application store and install the appropriate software.

Functionality

Once you have linked the bracelet to your smartphone, put it on your hand and get started. The screen is divided into two parts. It's easy to move between them using the left-right gesture. The main options are a smart alarm clock and a pedometer.

The main menu items are the following:

In the settings you can track how much battery power is left, find the bracelet if you forgot where you left it (vibration will be turned on and indicator lights, the color of which can be customized yourself). Among other things, you should indicate which wrist you plan to wear the tracker on.

It is possible to set up a notification about incoming call or a message that will be indicated by vibration or light indication.

Users are pleased with the presence of the smart alarm function. It ensures easy awakening in the correct sleep phase by turning on vibration. The phone itself will not make a sound, thus not disturbing anyone else. It's important to understand that the alarm clock tracks sleep stages to wake you up in light sleep, which means it can wake you up earlier than planned if it's appropriate.

Use Xiaomi Mi bracelet Band instructions Recommended for a variety of sports. New ones are also constantly being added.

How well the pedometer works depends on which hand you put it on. Usually, right hand moves more than usual, which may interfere with the adequacy of the meter readings.

Advantages

What are the advantages of the Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelet? As a rule, there are quite a few of them:

• Protection against water penetration and the influence of moisture in principle (tested by users in the shower and even when swimming in the sea).
• Democratic price.
• Availability of vibration alert.
• Sleep monitoring function.
• Availability of a smart alarm clock.
• Long battery life (about a month without additional recharging).
• High level of device autonomy.
• There are applications for the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet in Russian (not official, but many people use them successfully).
• It looks very stylish (and many prefer multi-colored models, others are satisfied with dark, restrained colors).

Regardless of whether you have previously looked closely at the Xiaomi Mi Band smart bracelet, perhaps the advantages listed above that are characteristic of it will prompt you to pay attention to it. It's definitely worth it.

Flaws

As a rule, when talking about the disadvantages of the Xiaomi Mi Band, users mean the updated version software. As practice shows, many changes characteristic of such updates are perceived extremely negatively by customers. For example, among them are the following:

• Permanent requirements to keep the GPS on all the time, which is not always required, but significantly drains the battery of the mobile phone.
• Sometimes the Xiaomi Mi Band vibrates for no reason, which is very distracting.
• Sometimes the pedometer does not work correctly. So, sometimes some data is not taken into account, for example, you woke up at night, went to the kitchen to drink water and returned. The Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet may not register your waking time and steps taken at all.
• The alarm clock in the updated versions is either completely absent or works incredibly strangely. There is no longer a smart alarm clock, but an ordinary one often allows itself to wake up the owner of the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet at any time, regardless of the day of the week and the time you set.
• Limited number of functions.
• Lack of hours.
• No pedometer.
• The declared functions are not implemented in the best way.
• Lack of official mobile application in Russian. However, for English-speaking users it will not be difficult to figure it out.
• Sometimes it falls out and can be lost (although this largely depends on the strap).
• The sleep schedule is also often tracked completely incorrectly. The time of falling asleep and night awakenings are not recorded.

Will this prevent you from enjoying using the Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelet? If yes, then you may need to consider purchasing a gadget with a different firmware.

Positive reviews

Obviously, the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet has many more advantages (reviews confirm this fact) than disadvantages. What do users particularly highlight? The bracelet does not cause any inconvenience, sits comfortably on the hand, its size is universal, which means that the model suits absolutely everyone and there is no need to worry about the size. As a rule, the device does not catch the eye, looks quite nice and does not raise unnecessary questions among strangers. The ability to hold a charge for a long time is also one of the immediate advantages of the gadget in question. Silent alarm clock that will wake you up only with using easy vibrations will be a great way to start the day. And if your version of the program also allows you to use the smart alarm function, then the gadget will help you wake up exactly at the moment when it is most natural for your body. Now you can forget about the feeling of fatigue immediately after waking up. It's also convenient that you don't have to worry about getting the device wet since it's water-resistant. This is incredibly convenient when performing daily household chores. It is the features listed above that attract users Xiaomi fitness bracelet Mi Band. Black is still the most popular shade. Maybe he can improve your life too?

Negative reviews

This kind of feedback, as a rule, describes not so much the Xiaomi Mi Band sports bracelet itself, but rather the accessories that users purchased with it, or the next update, the main disadvantages of which have already been described above. As for other negative feedback, they say that the straps often crack in the places where the sensor is inserted. Also, these straps (especially light colors) often get noticeably dirty. Sometimes some people lose the capsule. The situation is saved by the presence of a sensor search function using a smartphone.

Some have had significant difficulties installing the application. For example, such users had to additionally use the company’s official website in order to register their own account.

Others say that the pedometer records not so much steps as hand waves. Thus, young mothers, walking with strollers, notice that the device did not count their steps when their hands lay motionless on the handle of the stroller. This is, of course, very frustrating. However, most users attribute this to problems with updated version program, and not with a malfunction of the tracker itself.

Smart alarm clock

As mentioned above, the smart alarm clock has been removed from more later versions Mi Fit. And this does not suit users at all. However, savvy owners have figured out how to configure the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet in such a way that the smart alarm clock will again delight you with its full functionality. To do this, it is recommended to find the correct version of the Mi Fit program (to do this, it is better to research which one is most preferable for you personally, since various alternatives differ slightly in built-in functions and correct operation) and install it on your smartphone. First, of course, you will need to remove previous version. In this simple way you can return the functions you need so much.

Why do users value smart alarm clock so highly? It tracks sleep and its dynamics, records the time of falling asleep, the time of sleep itself, and is able to wake you up at the correct sleep phase so that after waking up you feel rested and fresh. Isn't this so necessary? modern people, leading active image life? Don't miss the opportunity to try it for yourself.

Conclusion

By reading the information above, you have enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not you need the fitness tracker in question. It is important to evaluate all the benefits that you can get from using the device in question. Will you really use all the functions of this gadget? Will you abandon it after a short time? An objective assessment of the situation will help you not to be disappointed after making a purchase. Carefully weigh all the advantages and disadvantages specific model. It's important that you don't overpay for features you won't use. At the same time, the device should be capable of everything you expect from it.

The model in question is distinguished by a durable strap, which, however, is easily worn and will soon lose its presentation. On the other hand, you can always order yourself a new strap for little money that will look decent. In this case, you can independently choose the design you like and the appropriate material. You can easily control the bracelet using your smartphone, which has an application specially designed for this installed. It is with its help that you can get all the information that the tracker will receive, as well as configure the operation of the bracelet. For example, you can adjust notifications about incoming calls or messages, view information about the distance traveled and steps taken, the approximate number of calories burned, and also set an alarm. Speaking of the latter, it is worth noting the popularity and convenience of the smart alarm clock option. It allows you to get enough sleep by awakening you into a phase of sleep that will allow you to feel fresh and rested early in the morning and later throughout the day. The device will wake you up without using it sound notifications. Vibration will be used exclusively. This will ensure a gentle awakening for you and peace for those sleeping around you.

Many people have already chosen to purchase this device for themselves. Will you join the army of Xiaomi Mi Band fans?