Living with Mi Band

How cheapest wearable device changed my life and why you might want it too.

Fancy notification devices, fitness tracking sensors built right into your phone – these were just a few words that initially described my reaction to wearable devices, especially smartwatches. While I admired the Moto 360’s circular design, I wasn’t ready to invest in a wearable device, at least not at that moment.

However, my reluctance faded when I had the opportunity to sit down and play with the Apple Watch. This time, I took my time to explore its potential. I was amazed by how having all that information accessible on my wrist, even on such a small screen, could be so useful. When the Taptic Engine gently tapped my wrist to notify me of a text message, I realized this was the start of something new, and my initial skepticism seemed immature.

Since I use Android and wasn’t keen on spending a substantial amount for an experimental try-out, I decided to settle for the Xiaomi Mi Band – the most affordable wearable device I found, priced at just RM70.

Theoretically, such a small investment might lead to either disappointment with a subpar product or questioning why I chose to spend my money on it instead of enjoying a Starbucks latte. However, Xiaomi is renowned for producing exceptionally high-quality products at unbelievably low prices. Let’s take a look at the specs:

+ Bluetooth 4.0 chip by Dialog for seamless smartphone connectivity.
+ Military-grade 3-axis accelerometer by ADI for accurate tracking.
+ LED light and vibration for notifications and alarms.
+ Powered by a 45mAh battery with up to a month of battery life.

I appreciate how Xiaomi presents its products. The Mi Band comes with everything you need to get started – a black strap, a quick guide (though unfortunately in Chinese), and a charging cable. Being a Xiaomi product, the companion Mi Fit app features the clean and intuitive design elements seen in MIUI. In my opinion, Xiaomi has succeeded in this aspect where even Google’s Fit app has room for improvement.

Setting up the Mi Band was a breeze. I simply downloaded the Mi Fit app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, signed in with my Mi account (or created one during the setup process), and I was ready to go. Pairing the band with my phone was equally effortless, requiring just a simple tap within the Mi Fit app.

Beyond its activity tracking capabilities for steps and sleep patterns, the Mi Band also serves as a notification device. While the official Mi Fit app allows you to choose up to three apps for notifications, there are third-party solutions available if you need notifications from more than three apps.

Regarding fashion, wearing the Mi Band alongside my watch might be deemed an unconventional geeky style, but I don’t mind being a trendsetter for approval-pending fashion concepts.

After spending about a month with the Mi Band, undergoing three firmware updates, embarking on a rafting trip, and taking four flights, I can confidently say that it has withstood the test. Once I started wearing it on its own, without my watch, I realized how accustomed I had become to constantly checking my wrist for the time. However, I quickly adapted to the notion that the Mi Band is not a smartwatch but rather a dedicated tracking device. As a result, wearing it throughout the day and even during sleep became second nature.

Instead of my morning routine involving checking Twitter or Newsstand for updates, I now prioritize reviewing my sleep quality from the previous night. I no longer need to frequently reach for my phone unless there is a vibration on my wrist. Different notifications can be identified by the LED blinking pattern and vibration intensity, enabling me to decide whether to attend to them immediately or continue with my work. This feature has been especially helpful while driving, as I no longer experience false alarms thinking my phone is vibrating when it’s not. Moreover, my sleep cycle has improved as I am more aware of my daily routine and strive for a better balance.

While I can’t universally recommend the Mi Band to everyone, I can confidently say that my experience has been genuinely enjoyable, all for the affordable price of just RM70. Understandably, not everyone will feel inclined to wear it consistently, and the idea of adopting wearable devices may seem unappealing to some, at least for now.

In conclusion, I find the Mi Band to be an incredible achievement of modern engineering – both from a technological standpoint and in terms of its value proposition.