Long time Xiaomi diversified its business to show that in addition to affordable smartphones and tablets could move this philosophy to many other product categories. Action cameras, headphones, home automation, air and water purifiers … A very wise strategy as and they expanded the brand and could reach key markets (like the US) to go groping interest. Crystallization of this movement are empress small accessories like MiBand 1S.
Wearables of the big brands have a high price. Most worth about 100 dollars and below that figure almost all bracelets are passing unnoticed by the stores. Xiaomi, again, wants to prove he is able to make a competitive technological device to a smaller price than its competitors. Mal should not do when at IDC puts it just behind Fitbit. We made presentations to the analysis of a bracelet that gets our attention with the heart rate monitor but manages us to stay for other reasons.
A discreet but very necessary evolution
When we met the MiBand 1S a couple of months ago we saw that the main novelty was the introduction of a heart rate monitor. Xiaomi did not want to be left behind in this particular technological race and decided to update their quantifying bracelet.
If we stick to the technical data, we see that indeed the main change from one model to another is the ability to measure pulse. Leaving aside this record, as we put the bracelet on the wrist we discover that there are several things have changed and that Xiaomi has done just stressed.
Let’s see what offers compared to the previous model…
| Xiaomi 1S MiBand | Xiaomi MiBand | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions |
37 x 13.6 x 9.9 mm |
36 x 14 x 9 mm |
| Weight |
5.5 grams (without bracelet) |
5 grams (without bracelet) |
| Materials |
Metal alloy in the sensor plate and polycarbonate. Silicone bracelet. |
Metal alloy in the sensor plate and polycarbonate. Silicone bracelet. |
| Water resistance |
Yes, IP67 |
Yes, IP67 |
| Battery |
45 mAh |
45 mAh |
| Sensors |
Accelerometer (ADI) and heart rate monitor |
Accelerometer (ADI) |
Same design but more resistant materials
Xiaomi wanted to keep the design in line MiBand. There were those who asked him a makeover to introduce a small clock. Yes, it would have been great to see the time but they are clear that their wearable step is to measure not to give us time. You may like more or less the decision; the Chinese company is very clear which path.
As in the previous model, it is comfortable to wear. The bracelet fits well with all kinds of dolls and only in very small stresses over the account. If it is not our case, it is a very discreet supplement that does not attract attention. The only time that gives the note is when the LED lights up.
In the plastic strap we found the main novelty. At first glance it looks identical but detailed inspection reveals that it has improved the quality of materials: stiffer, finished firmer on the frame surrounding the piece that measures our steps … More than one has lost its original MiBand by Bracelet fault Xiaomi. It was very bad, now that problem is fixed.
The main body (the capsule where all the electronics will) is identical. Three LED lights will indicate progress well lit for this purpose also it serves to warn of any notification (applications, incoming calls …). The top is a metal alloy with a tactile sensor used to cancel alarms.
Xiaomi has focused on selling their training computer much as the next big thing when we find more substantial progress in increasing quality materials.
Compared to the previous model’s body it is slightly thicker and now fits better on the bracelet. I’ve been using it for almost a month and so far have not been cracked. The charger is also slightly wider to accommodate the module. One thing: the charger is not worth the original MiBand for 1S.
The charging cable has changed, it is as long as the previous model but this time has flat section making it more difficult to roll and thus breaking runs. Last but not least, it maintains the water resistance, IP67.
I’ve never taken me to shower or even for swimming. Holds water well and be submerged for short periods of time at a depth of one meter and a half. Too bad it does not recognize when you’re swimming and then display the results in the application.
Application: Many successes, some errors and outstanding duties for the future
Xiaomi retains its MiFit application for Android and iOS. Now the app is compatible with both models on the market, the only difference is that when you synchronize a MiBand 1S us the option to measure heart rate will appear. Android application runs smoothly while iPhone tends to give some errors with synchronization and interface design could be more careful.
Taking as reference the app of Android, version that we tested the bracelet, we have a clean, intuitive interface. According to open up the steps we have taken that day will be displayed. If you slide your finger horizontally we accede to the quantification of our dream and click on either graphics hour by hour we will detail how it has been our performance.
Bracelet settings are found in a menu just two touches of the main application screen. From there we can control what we hand the MiBand, set alarms, view the status of the battery and also measurements of pulsations, which speak later in more detail.
Alarms, as in the previous model, are vibrating. If you have questions about intended use, and I say that as an alarm is very useful as we get out of bed and not bother with a sound if with another person. If you are going to use a lot, maybe it suits you find another method that only allows you to set three alarms.
When quantifying sleep, Xiaomi said pulse measurement with improved results. It is difficult to know but compared to the previous model the results are very similar. The good thing is that MiBand S gets alone in sleep mode and do not have to press any button on the application. If we unveil in the middle of the night and return to sleep at times it has trouble getting back to sleep quantify.
If you have Android, you can configure the bracelet as a Bluetooth device Smart Lock confidence .If you do not know this function it is a way of saying that the MiBand 1S is a key to open the phone. Thus, instead of putting a pattern or PIN mobile recognize that the bracelet is connected and so unlock your smartphone safely. Thus, if we separate him or stolen we ask for the PIN and pattern. If you want more information about this mode.
The great lack of MiBand is the social part. Unlike other quantification FitBit bracelets, there is a network of friends that we can compete. We can share our results on Facebook and Twitter, menu from which we also warn of how they have been compared our results with other users. Okay but not the factor down with people you know.
Another tip for Android users: the application that is in Google Play is updated very slowly. My advice is to bajéis the official application page Xiaomi or seeks translations as they do in some forums. In addition to correcting text messages it takes little to bring the latest versions that come from China.
Finally, if you want to expand the possibilities of system notifications on the bracelet, there are two options. Either use the configuration tool is in MiFit (ok but limits you to three applications) or MiBand Tools or MiBand Notify. Both substantially increase the functions and make it clear that Xiaomi has yet to improve in this section a little more.
Battery, step back but still excellent
In the previous model it was one of its main attractions: Xiaomi promised a month of battery and more than fulfilled. In my experience, I’ve been up to forty days of use to her with an alarm a day. When entering the heart rate monitor that figure would come down and so it proved.
With a load of MiBand 1S (an alarm a day and getting two or three goals notices and calls) achievement last me about 20 days. Not a month, but still high enough for us to look at it. Something good had to dispense with the clock and focus on quantification.
The load is fast, which is an incentive. If we use a computer USB can take an hour and a half but directly use a mobile phone charger in one hour we will have 100%. My advice is to be a burden (when necessary) in those moments of inactivity that you have throughout the day such as when you are working at the computer. The heart rate monitor brand autonomy but data from the H1 is still very good to not have to worry about the battery every so often.
Pulse, low value added
We now turn to the main novelty of this MiBand 1S. In the back of the sensor, which gives our skin, includes a reader much like keystrokes would find in Apple Watch or Android Wear a watch. A green LED flashes to make measurements in seconds and tell us how much It is our heart.
The idea is good, execution less so. Xiaomi is very clear that you want a quantifier for the ordinary user, not a regular tool for athletes and it shows how this is integrated piece of hardware.
As mentioned before, the heart rate monitor is responsible for making automatic throughout the day for measurements (as Xiaomi) calibrate the results from other sensors and provide a more accurate measurement. That is all very well but what happens when we do something more controlled and track? Bad news…
Xiaomi integrates hardware very well but then the software part will always lack that little touch to make it round.
MiBand 1S has an option that allows us to make measurements of manual keystrokes. Press a button, put the arm in the position that indicates and within seconds it returns a result us. What if we want for a particular period of time be responsible to measure? It is not possible, a shame because being able to differentiate when we walk and run when we know little.
The feeling that leaves us in this section is that the heart rate monitor is to justify the launch of a new model. It does not add much value to the daily experience and except for occasional moments where we want to check this vital sign is useless. It would have been great so kind sport where you tell you when you go over ‘x’ keystrokes. Again, it seems that Xiaomi will not go to more sporting public with this bracelet.
