We have already been testing the new Xiaomi fitness bracelet, the Xiaomi Mi Band 1S, with the new heart rate sensor for a few weeks, the main difference from its predecessor, the Xiaomi Mi Band. We are going to tell you about our experience.
It may interest you: Xiaomi Mi Band and Mi Band 1S: instructions for use and configuration and Xiaomi Mi Band 2: 10 tricks and tips to use the cheapest fitness bracelet
Table of Contents
Xiaomi Mi Band 1S - Features
- With heart rate sensor
- Record your movement data throughout the day
- Record sleep status
- Smart vibration alarm
- Bracelet made with DowCorning TPSiV
- 20-day battery life (less, about 10 days if we use the heart rate sensor)
- Water and dust resistant (IP67)
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Compatibility: Android 4.4 or higher, iOS 7.0 or higher
- Mi Fit app for Android and iOS
- Battery capacity: 41mAh
- Dimensions: 37 × 13.6 × 9.9mm
- Weight: 5.5 grams
Xiaomi Mi Band 1S - Opinion
Differences between Xiaomi Mi Band and Xiaomi Mi Band 1S
The Xiaomi bracelet has almost the same design as the previous version, and they have only changed some small details in its operation and design to adapt to its new functionalities:
- On the back of the Xiaomi Mi Band we will find the heart rate sensor, in permanent contact with the skin
- The bracelet is made of a new, more resistant material that better grips the Xiaomi Mi Band 1S
- The connector has a flat cable and is slightly smaller
- It is slightly heavier (5.5 grams compared to 5 grams for the original Xiaomi Mi Band)
- It is 1mm thicker while the length and width are almost the same (37 × 13.6mm vs 36x14mm).
- It has three LEDs but they only show white in this version.
- The device could constantly track your pulse, but for now it is only on demand. This feature may be added with a later software update
- Heart rate monitoring can significantly improve sleep analysis.
- Battery life is around 20 days on a single charge, but we can expect it to last longer if we disable features. The first version has a battery that lasts more than 30 days.
- The new device cannot be charged with the charger of the original Mi Band
The device is IP67 waterproof. This means that the activity bracelet will be protected against dust and that it can be submerged under water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes: you can shower with your Xiaomi Mi Band 1S and even take a bath.
The bracelet is compatible with devices with Bluetooth 4.0 (from iPhone 4S and Android 4.4).
Design
Like the previous one, this fitness bracelet is really comfortable and you don’t feel like you’re wearing them. In addition, with this version they have improved the material of the bracelet and now it is more resistant and holds the device better. It would be interesting to get a replacement bracelet of a different color. Some may be disappointed because the LEDs no longer change color. They have surely done it to save some battery.
Functionalities
Like the previous one, we can measure our daily activity:
- How many meters have we traveled
- Steps taken walking
- How much we have run
- Averages the calories expended
- Improved sleep tracking thanks to the heart rate sensor (sleep tracking is automatic and does not have to be started)
- It has smart alarms to wake us up every day
- Control of our weight (we can connect the bracelet to compatible weights)
And as a novelty in this version we can measure our pulse on demand.
Heart rate measurement
As we have already commented, the measurement of the heart rate at the moment in the Xiaomi Mi Band 1S is only carried out in a timely manner when we access the corresponding menu and press the start button of the measurement. It is possible that with future software and firmware updates this monitoring will occur constantly, but the battery is going to suffer greatly.
The pulse measurement is quite reliable, but you have to press the sensor very well against the skin so that the outside light does not affect the measurement.
Xiaomi Mi Fit App
Well, things have not changed much in the Mi Fit App, which continues to have a minimalist design and quite careful. They have added the functions corresponding to pulse measurement, which, as must be repeated, for now can only be done on demand, that is, you have to press a button and start the measurement. Then it tells you if it is normal or not.
The bracelet must be linked to the application via bluetooth, something that is done in a few seconds. Then you have to update your firmware a couple of times. Sleep monitoring can also be improved by activating an option to measure our pulse at night with the consequent increase in battery consumption.
An important fact: If you had a Xiaomi Mi Band from the previous generation, you will not lose your data, they continue to appear in the App after linking the new fitness bracelet.
Their social functions remain somewhat rare.
The other functionalities of the app remain the same, so we recommend that you read our previous reviews of the previous bracelet:
The 10 best cheap fitness bracelets (2018): smart activity monitors thrown in price
conclusion
Xiaomi once again offers us a really good fitness bracelet for an almost laughable price, something that no other manufacturer offers. The bracelet is really comfortable (you cannot tell that you are wearing it), the material of the strap seems more resistant than in the previous model, it is resistant to water and dust and has a heart rate sensor in addition to measuring steps, calories and our dream.
The battery life has decreased due to the addition of new functionalities but it can easily last you between 15-20 days. The pulse measurement function is on demand, so the monitoring is not constant (it may be added with a later software update).
If your life is not up to you by having the new heart rate measurement function, the original Xiaomi mi Band is an excellent buy considering what it costs at the moment.
In favor:
- With fairly reliable heart rate sensor
- New stronger strap. Better holds the Xiaomi Mi Band 1S
- Cheaper than competitive options
- Measuring steps, calories and sleep (and it does it very well with very reliable data)
- Water and dust resistant (IP67)
- It has smart alarms to wake you up
Against:
- Pulse measurement only works on demand and is not continuous
- The battery no longer lasts more than 1 month as in the previous model
- The app still needs to improve its social functions a bit
- The LED light is only white in this version
