Spending a lot of money on a fitness band is not required in any way. These days, there is an abundance of choice that does not require one to empty their savings account. The Fitbit Inspire HR and the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 are two of the most impressive of these devices.
Both were made available in the early part of this year. With the introduction of the Inspire HR, Fitbit’s already existing technology has been repackaged into a form factor that is marginally more contemporary and made accessible to a wider audience. According to our examination, it is up to the task at hand. The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is an upgraded model of the company’s best-selling fitness tracker, which now features a more aesthetically pleasing display.
We have produced a list of the differences and similarities between the two in case you are having trouble deciding which of the two to buy. It is my sincere hope that the information presented here will assist you in making a more informed choice.
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Comparing the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 vs the Fitbit Inspire HR in terms of general features and hardware
In terms of their aesthetics, both of these gadgets boast a design that is rather rubberized and sporting in appearance. On the other hand, the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 has a form factor that is very flat, whilst the design of the Fitbit Inspire HR is more rounded.
The quality of the display is where you’ll notice the most difference. The OLED display of the Inspire HR is grayscale and is 37 by 16 millimetres and has a resolution of 128 by 72 pixels. The display on the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is slightly more expansive, measuring 120 by 240 pixels. But the most essential thing is that it is an AMOLED display with full colour. It goes without saying that interactions with content viewed on this type of screen are more pleasurable.
Some of the distinctions in design are more subtle than others. The physical button on the Fitbit dangles on the left side of the gadget, but the one on the Xiaomi acts as an extension of the display. Both devices have a physical button.
Both of these tools have a very little amount of bulk to them. Because they weigh only about 20 grammes, you won’t even notice they’re on your wrist. In addition to that, they have very good resistance to water (5 ATM).
Either of these two will work if you’re going for a more athletic appearance. You may jazz them up with bands of varying colours and materials, and there are surprisingly a few possibilities for straps that are sold by third parties to choose from. But keep in mind that they are inexpensive fitness bands; if you want something that looks more expensive, you should go elsewhere.
There isn’t much of a difference between the trackers until you open them up. They each have their own optical heart rate sensor and 3-axis accelerometer, yet they share one. In addition, Inspire includes a vibration motor, whilst the Mi Band 4 is equipped with a gyroscope and a capacitive proximity sensor. These relatively minor distinctions do not have a substantial impact on the capabilities of either of the two fitness bands.
Now we will discuss the life of the battery. Xiaomi is aware that this is a key point of differentiation between its gadget and those of its competitors. The lithium-ion battery that powers the Mi Band 4 has a capacity of 135 mAh, which allows it to run for up to 20 days on a single charge. On this front as well, Fitbit does not perform too poorly. You should anticipate being able to track your activity for approximately five days before needing to connect the device to a power source.
Both of these also have the capability of removing the tracking unit from the fitness band, which is another design element they share in common. In addition, you will need to ensure that the Mi Band is properly secured before charging it. Keeping the band on while attaching the Fitbit to its magnetic charger is possible with this particular wearable device from Fitbit.
Activity monitoring and smart features compared between the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and the Fitbit Inspire HR
Both the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and the Fitbit Inspire HR are excellent options for individuals searching for an affordable fitness band. They will monitor a broad selection of sports across the clock and provide coverage for all of your needs.
You will be able to monitor your heart rate around the clock, keep track of the number of steps you take, the distance you go, the number of active minutes you have, the calories you burn, and more. It is quite a comprehensive list. When it comes to the quality of the data, you shouldn’t anticipate many changes.
Neither of these gadgets comes equipped with a GPS receiver out of the box, but they both have the capability to utilise the satellite signal transmitted by your smartphone. When working out outside, this allows for more accurate measurement of the distance covered. It also implies that you should bring your smartphone along with you when you go for those runs.
A VO2Max estimate, on-device guided breathing sessions, and Fitbit’s female health tracking suite are some of the additional features that are included with the purchase of an Inspire HR.
Aside from that, there aren’t very many significant differences. Because neither of these devices has an altimeter, you won’t be able to get an accurate floor count from them.
The software ecosystem that Fitbit has developed is another factor that works to the company’s advantage. The app and internet dashboard offered by Fitbit are both easier and more intuitive to use. In terms of its app, Xiaomi still has some ground to make up.
However, in terms of the smart functionality it offers, the Mi Band is superior. It is equipped with smartphone notifications, vibration alerts, and a variety of watch faces, just like the Inspire HR. But because it has a display that is capable of displaying all colours, the watch faces that can be downloaded onto Xiaomi’s device are significantly more impressive.
More customization options relating to the screen, different patterns of vibration for notifications, and other features are included with the Mi Band 4 as well. The band gives users the ability to manage music streaming from their smartphone, and the accompanying software has a “Find my Band” feature that can be utilised in the event that the wearable is misplaced.
Last but not least, the Xiaomi Mi Band is available in a version that has NFC already built-in. Both AliPay and WeChat Pay are supported for usage while carrying out financial transactions with this. When you raise up the band, the Xiao AI voice assistant functionality activates and may be used to operate Xiaomi’s various smart products. This functionality is only available on the Xiaomi Mi Band 3. NFC and the AI speaker are, on the other hand, features that can only be found in products sold in China.
Additional Reading: Which is better: Fitbit Charge 5 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 4?
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 vs Fitbit Inspire HR: Conclusion
If you are looking for a fitness band that won’t break the bank, the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 and the Fitbit Inspire HR are two of the best options currently available. They will both have you covered when it comes to monitoring your activity around the clock and will do so effectively. Since these are not the first generation of gadgets, the fundamentals have been ironed out for some time.
Regarding the monitoring of physical activity, we believe that Inspire HR has a minor advantage. It monitors more actions and comes with a software ecosystem that has more robust functionality built into it.
The Xiaomi Mi Band possesses a number of benefits as well. The most notable features are the stunning AMOLED display and remarkable battery life of up to 20 days. The other benefit that deserves to be brought up is the cost of the item. It retails for approximately one-half of the price of the Inspire HR in most cases.
We would suggest that you go with the Inspire HR if the price difference is not a worry for you and you do not mind using a grayscale display. The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is an affordable option to consider if you need a simple fitness tracker but don’t want to spend a lot of money.
