Xiaomi Miband 2
quantifying bracelet
Screenshots
Hunter's comment
The Xiaomi MiBand 2 is the new version that comes to complete the range of quantifying bracelets of the Chinese manufacturer. This model improves the previous versions with the inclusion of an OLED screen, the main novelty and to which we have paid special attention in our analysis of the MiBand 2 of Xiaomi. Where is the secret of a complete bracelet in specifications at less than half the price of the competition?
Of not having presence to be placed first in second position and then in third place among the sellers of wearables, only behind the giant Fitbit and the Apple Watch. The reason for this strong incursion in a new and competed segment is the very low price of the first two Xiaomi wristbands while covering the basics of activity measurement.
The MiBand 2 slightly raises the price of the first models ($ 40 with the GBMI2 coupon in Gearbest) but despite everything still offers some very interesting features in exchange for what we pay for it.
As I have said, the main novelty of the Xiaomi MiBand 2 bracelet is the arrival of the OLED screen, which adds to the heart rate sensor of the previous model. How the MiBand 2 works, the application and its evolutions, the design of the wristband and the reliability of the pulse sensor we have commissioned in our analysis.
Basic design, comfortable and forgettable
If with the recent Fitbit Alta and other bracelets we have appreciated a turn towards the fashion accessory in which we can cover more market and not only the sports, with the Xiaomi MiBand 2 we have to talk about a basic design.
The cheap Xiaomi bracelet has slightly increased its size to accommodate the screen, but it is still very comfortable and lightweight. The manufacturing material of the bracelet has improved, it is now more flexible rubber, something very appreciated although it still conveys the idea of a lower finish compared to the competition, something that is compensated with the colorful bracelets. The black one is quite forgettable.
The Xiaomi MiBand 2 consists of bracelet and sensor, which includes the heart rate meter and the screen. The closure is safe and easy to manage, although it requires some use to "tame" the rubber and perform this action more quickly.
Xiaomi maintains the water resistance, with IP67 profile, in this new bracelet. It means there's no problem with rain or dirt, and you could even dive for half an hour to a meter deep. In reality it assumes that we will not have to take it off when we shower. Without measuring the swimming activity, it is the least we should ask today for a quantifying bracelet. And there Xiaomi has fulfilled even with its reduced price.
Screen yes, but very limited
The main difference of the MiBand 2 is the inclusion in its spec sheet of a screen. It was the logical evolution after adding the heart rate sensor in the second generation, which we tested at the end of last year.
The screen of the new MiBand 2 has a good size and the technology it uses is OLED. Up to here everything is correct. But when we start with it we find ourselves with enough compromises that subtract a part of the value of having a bracelet screen that measures our activity.
It has been quite annoying to turn on the bed and to detect that we move the wrist and there is a source of excessive light and unpleasant to the eye. It also happened to us that in dark places like the cinema and in those that maybe we just want to check the time, the effect is that of a quite powerful light that curiously is not enough outdoors, where the visibility is very reduced and complicated with direct light. What does seem to have solved Xiaomi is the power of the LEDs measuring the pulse, and now, at night, if a measurement occurs, there is a powerful green light under our skin.
The screen turns on automatically when you turn your wrist if you indicated it (the detection of rotation works very well), or manually by means of a touch button. Here we like that touch technology has not been implemented on the screen itself because the button really works very well and I think it makes it much easier to manage the screen, although it is not difficult to press it accidentally and unintentionally activates it due to its high sensitivity. That it had been implemented of physical type would not have mattered to us.
To ignore the arrival of the screen to their previous wearables allowed Xiaomi to provide them with an unrivaled battery among rivals who did not opt for batteries. But the new MiBand 2 has regressed in this respect. Despite this, it remains outstanding in battery life.
In our test with many notifications and screen queries, which was in activation mode with wrist rotation, we have achieved a battery discharge of less than 10% per day, which has allowed us to
launch about 9-10 days of continuous use. If you intend to enter the world of quantification with little data of the steps you take, the sum of comfort (with water resistance included) and autonomy together with the low price is a temptation, but it is when you value the usefulness of the screen, the application or accuracy of heart rate measurement is when it is convenient that values other more expensive options but more complete if you want to measure your activity or sleep seriously. Or that you stay with the previous Xiaomi models, where the value for money has no equal.
Link
https://www.mi.com/en/miband2/
Contributors
Hunter: @difelice5000
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Hi @difelice5000,
Thanks for yet another hunt. Sadly enough, I can not approve it as the successor has been hunted already, the Xiaomi MiBand 3.
As per our posting guidelines Steemhunt is for new products. When a successor is available already, there’s no reason for us to still accept the previous model as older models aren’t really... cool.
As per Steemhunt posting guidelines: