If you are technology enthusiasts and you feel that a classic watch is outdated, you can always try a smartwatch. These devices can interact with a smartphone, providing plenty of information and features that can save us a lot of time. In this guide, we will review the smartwatch / Fitness Tracker Xiaomi Mi Band 2, which offers several functions at a perfectly affordable price.
Unblock any international website, browse anonymously, and download movies and Mp3 with complete safety with CyberGhost, just for $2.75 per month:
What is a Smartwatch - Fitness Tracker?
A smartwatch is a device that we usually wear as a watch on our wrist. However, it doesn't just show us the time.
It can also connect to a mobile phone - usually via Bluetooth - and interact with it.
Some smartwatches can even replace a smartphone since they have a SIM card slot.
However, the majority of smartwatches are supposed to be used as assistants, and they can interact with smartphones through specific applications.
Depending on the capabilities of the smartwatch and the application's settings, we can achieve several tasks. For example, we can view our messages, see incoming calls, listen to music, and much more.
In fact, a significant number of smartwatches include the functionality of a Fitness Tracker. Thus, they can monitor and track fitness-related metrics, such as distance walked or run, calorie consumption, and in some cases heartbeat and quality of sleep.
Usually, this category of smartwatches has a small touchscreen and heartbeat sensor.
Below we will present the Xiaomi Mi Band 2, a distinctive smartwatch with a Fitness Tracker.
Xiaomi Mi Band 2
Mi Band 2 is the latest Smartwatch - Fitness Tracker of the Chinese technology giant Xiaomi. It's the first time that Xiaomi incorporates a display on such a device.
The company claims that the device has an improved pedometer technology and larger battery.
Mi Band 2 can work for about 20 days on a single charge. It's also able to count our footsteps, heartbeats, and record our sleep. Furthermore, it displays alerts for calls, messages, and selected apps.
As for the price? Anyone can afford it.
Specifications
Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is made of plastic and an aluminum alloy. It has a 0.42" OLED display, and a sensitive touch button that helps to switch notifications.
The dimensions of the primary device are 15.7mm x 10.5mm x 40.3mm. The wristband has a total length of 235mm.
The device has a 70mAh lithium-polymer battery and is water resistant (IP67 certified).
It is also equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 BLE, an accelerometer, a photoelectric pulse sensor, and it has a powerful vibration.
Mi Band 2 is compatible with devices running Android 4.4 or higher, as well as iOS.
Unboxing and first use
The package has a minimal design with a logo on the front.
On the back, we will find the device's main features in Chinese.
Once we open the box, we see the primary device, the wristband, the USB cable, and the manual.
As we expected, the instructions are also in Chinese.
Mi Band 2 is capsule-shaped, small, and lightweight. On the one side of the capsule, there are two charging slots.
At the back, we will find the heartbeat sensor.
The device came with an empty battery, so we had to charge it before the first use. As we noticed, the package did not include any charger.
Thus, we have to charge the device either directly from a computer's USB port, or with a USB mobile charger.
Download and install the application
Mi Band 2 is almost useless if it's not connected to a smartphone with the right software installed.
By tapping the Mi Band's touch key, we can see the time, record our footsteps, and count our pulses.
As we mentioned before, all of these activities require a synchronization via a smartphone.
Xiaomi has developed its own application for such devices, the so-called Mi-Fit. We'll find it for both iOS and Android devices in their respective stores.
In our case, we used Xiaomi Note 4X as the test device.
After installing the application, we have to log in and build a profile for better data analysis.
Then, we have to choose the type of our device.
Once we activate the smartphone's Bluetooth...
...we have to press the touch button on Mi Band 2.
In our case, we had to make a firmware update via the smartphone.
That way, our smartphone and the Mi Band 2 are finally connected.
At this point, we should mention that Mi Band 2 is also compatible with Google Fit.
Basic Settings
The application's environment is friendly and straightforward to use; it is divided into three main tabs: Status, Activities, and Profile.
Status
The first tab is about the basic features of the application. In fact, we can follow a short guide to discover all the device's features.
Through the Status tab, we can track our steps and count the calories we burn.
We can also monitor the quality of our sleep.
Moreover, it's possible to measure our heartbeats with accuracy and monitor our weight's fluctuations.
When trying to measure heartbeats, we will feel a vibration while observing a green laser from the sensor.
Activities
The following tab is about activity registration. In some cases, we have to activate the GPS for higher accuracy in the results.
We also have the opportunity to observe an aggregation of our weekly, monthly, and total activities.
Profile
The last tab is about account settings, Mi Band 2 options, alerts, targets, etc.
By choosing the connected device, we can take a look at the available battery percentage.
Through this menu, there is an interaction between the smartphone and the Mi Band 2. There is an option to unlock the smartphone's screen directly from Band, via Bluetooth.
It is also useful to activate incoming calls option.
When we get a call, Band will vibrate and show a screen notification.
As for the alarm clock function, it works in the same way. We can set the time, and Band will vibrate. That way, we'll always be on schedule.
At the same time, we can get notifications tο avoid being inactive for long periods of time. For example, we may want to be notified to take a walk after sitting on a desk for too long.
Mi-Fit's menu has many hidden options, like app notifications, messages, settings, and more.
Price
Mi Band 2 comes at a price of $22.59, at the time of this writing.
There is also a wide range of wristbands to buy if we want to change the look of our device.
Conclusion
Small, beautiful, durable with a lot of potentials, Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is probably the best smartwatch-fitness tracker we can buy for around 20$.
As we mentioned, Mi Band's battery can offer more than 20 days on a single charge. Of course, the more alerts we activate, the faster the battery will run out.
At the same time, we can adapt it to our own style by choosing a wristband that suits us.
It may be a little tricky to remove the capsule from the wristband, but we will get used to it.
If you are interested in step counting, heart rate, and sleep monitoring, alongside smart alerts, Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is what you are looking for.
What is your opinion on Xiaomi Mi Band 2?
Do you happen to own the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 or intend to buy it? Let us know in the comments below.
Leave a Reply