The Xiaomi Mi Band has long been a key player in budget activity trackers. Since early this year, the Redmi Smart Band Pro has emerged as its main competitor, challenging the popular Mi Band 6 in this segment. Both trackers offer a wide range of features at a low price, making them highly appealing compared to other smartwatches and trackers. But what are the differences between these budget champions? We break them down below.
Specifications
An overview of the dimensions, specs, and features of both trackers:
| Redmi Smart Band Pro | Mi Band 6 | |
| Display | 194 x 368px, 1.47 inch, 283 ppi | 152 x 486px, 1.56 inch, 326 ppi |
| Dimensions | 42mm x 24.5mm x 10mm | 47.4mm x 18.6mm x 12.7mm |
| Weight | 15g | 13g |
| Battery | 200mAh (14–20 days) | 125mAh (14 days) |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours | 2 hours |
| Water Resistance | Yes (5ATM) | Yes (5ATM) |
| Altimeter | Yes | No |
| Auto Brightness | Yes | No |
| Always-On Display | Yes | No |
| Sports Modes | 110 | 30 |
The Redmi Smart Band Pro offers several improvements, particularly in additional sensors and features compared to the Mi Band 6. Its enhanced battery and faster charging time mean less frequent and shorter charging sessions.
Design
The Redmi Smart Band Pro has a different design philosophy than the Mi Band 6. Its display is more square, resembling a smartwatch, while the Mi Band 6 looks more like a traditional band.
While the Mi Band 6’s display may seem superior on paper, the Smart Band Pro’s shape makes it more user-friendly and appears smaller.
Both are available only in black in the Netherlands. A wide range of Xiaomi straps is available to personalise your tracker.
Battery
The Redmi Smart Band Pro boasts an upgraded 200mAh battery, a significant improvement over the Mi Band 6’s 125mAh. Despite its additional features, it can last up to five days with everything enabled.
The Smart Band Pro charges in 1.5 hours, compared to the Mi Band 6’s 2 hours, even with its smaller battery.
Battery life depends on usage, but the Smart Band Pro offers a superior battery experience despite power-hungry features.
Fitness and Sports
A tracker’s primary function is monitoring activities during sports. The Redmi Smart Band Pro excels here, offering 110 sports modes compared to the Mi Band 6’s 30. Its multi-sport mode allows quick switching between activities, ideal for varied workouts or triathlons.
The altimeter, absent in the Mi Band 6, tracks elevation changes during walking, running, or cycling, and monitors daily standing frequency.
Display
The displays are comparable, but the Redmi Smart Band Pro’s more conventional shape makes it more user-friendly. Both feature a sharp AMOLED display for vibrant visuals.
The Smart Band Pro includes an always-on display, allowing you to view the time without activating the tracker, a feature missing on the Mi Band 6. This impacts battery life but is rare in this price range.
The Smart Band Pro’s auto-brightness feature adjusts the screen to ambient light for visibility, even in bright sunlight. Its wake-up feature activates the screen with a wrist raise, another feature absent in the Mi Band 6.
Both trackers offer top-tier displays in the budget category, with high pixel density, sharp visuals, and smooth refresh rates.
Price
Price is crucial in the budget category, and both trackers are remarkably affordable:
- Xiaomi Mi Band 6: €39
- Xiaomi Redmi Smart Band Pro: €59
Conclusion
The Redmi Smart Band Pro is the clear winner for features. Both trackers are budget-friendly, but if you value extras like the always-on display and more sports modes, the price difference is worthwhile. For those seeking a cheaper option, the Mi Band 6 remains a solid choice. Personalise either with a variety of Xiaomi straps.
Summary
Differences
- The Redmi Smart Band Pro has more features, including always-on display, altimeter, and auto-brightness.
- The Redmi Smart Band Pro’s shape is more user-friendly than the Mi Band 6.
- The Redmi Smart Band Pro offers 110 sports modes, compared to the Mi Band 6’s 30.
- The Mi Band 6 is cheaper.
Similarities
- Both have a high-quality display.
- Both are waterproof (5ATM).
- Both are lightweight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Redmi Smart Band Pro have built-in GPS?
No, you need to pair the Redmi Smart Band Pro with a phone to use GPS during activities.
Is the Redmi Smart Band Pro waterproof?
Yes, it has a 5ATM rating, allowing use in heavy rain without damage.
Is the Redmi Smart Band Pro available?
It has been available in Dutch stores since February 2022.
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