Which fitness bracelet to choose: Honor Band 4 or Mi Band 3?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

We compare the characteristics of the devices and tell you why each of these gadgets is good.

Case and strap

At first glance, it might seem that the ability to replace the strap is a clear advantage of the Xiaomi bracelet. However, in fact, the Honor Band 4 also has a removable capsule. It is attached with special clips on the inside.

If necessary, AliExpress will certainly be able to buy alternative silicone straps or even metal bracelets. Although their choice is unlikely to be as wide as for the Mi Band 3.

The buckles on the straps are different. The Xaiomi bracelet has a traditional metal "tooth", while the Honor Band 4 has a more classic buckle with a frame. The latter usually provides a much more reliable fixation, which means that the risk of accidentally losing the tracker is much less.

Also, the original Honor Band 4 straps can be called more versatile, since they are suitable for wrists with a girth of 126 to 221 mm. Mi Band 3 - from 155 to 216 mm.

The Honor Band 4 capsule itself has a slightly curved shape. At the same time, it is slightly more compact in size: 43 × 17, 2 × 11, 5 mm versus 46, 9 × 17, 9 × 12 mm for Xiaomi. Accordingly, the Huawei bracelet may be more comfortable in everyday use.

Screen

Honor Band 4 received a color OLED touch screen with a diagonal of 0.95 inches. Its resolution is not specified, but it is known that it can simultaneously display up to 45 Chinese characters. Mi Band 3, which is equipped with a monochrome screen with a diagonal of 0.78 inches, has 24 hieroglyphs.

The Honor Band 4 has a color display that can accommodate much more information than the screen of the Mi Band 3. However, a lot will depend on localization.

You can control the functions of devices not only with swipes and taps on the screen, but also with a separate touch button. In this regard, the bracelets are similar.

Sensors and communications

Honor Band 4 was the first in the series to receive a six-axis accelerometer, which, in comparison with the three-axis analogue of the Mi Band 3, should collect much more data on the user's physical activity. It is this sensor that allows you to accurately track your walking, running, swimming and cycling activities.

Will such an accelerometer provide higher accuracy in counting steps? Perhaps, but not at all necessary. We can only say with certainty that the six-axis accelerometer allows for more sports functions.

Both gadgets have a heart rate monitor with the possibility of constant automatic measurements.

Both bracelets are connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth 4.2. The NFC module in the Honor Band 4 is by default, and in the case of the Mi Band 3, only in a special version. However, so far neither one nor the other outside of China will benefit. Whether Google Pay support will ever appear is still unknown.

None of the bracelets support contactless payments outside of China yet.

Functions

In terms of basic functionality, the bracelets are identical. In both cases, notifications from applications, tracking of physical activity and sleep, alarms and timers, weather information, the function of "finding a smartphone" and various reminders are available.

Bracelets can differ only in a set of sports functions. For example, the Honor Band 4 should have separate modes for outdoor cycling and exercise on a stationary bike, as well as a special mode for swimmers with automatic recognition of swimming style.

Autonomy

Despite the almost identical battery capacity, Mi Band 3 on a single charge lasts 20 days on average, and Honor Band 4 - 14. This difference is fully explained by the less "gluttonous" monochrome display of the Xiaomi bracelet.

In the continuous heart rate monitoring mode, the autonomy of each device is approximately halved. That is, Mi Band 3 will work for about 10 days, and Honor Band 4 for 6 days. This will largely depend on the number of notifications from the smartphone.

Outcome

In China, the Honor Band 4 is priced at 199 yuan (about 2,000 rubles). Xiaomi Mi Band 3 with NFC costs exactly the same. Both devices should be on sale in the second half of September. On AliExpress, they will cost about the same, which means that you will have to choose without regard to the price.

If you do not take into account the design features and types of straps, which in both cases are easy to replace, then there are only a few important advantages of these bracelets.

On the side of the Honor Band 4, there is a more informative color screen and more sports functions. If you go to the pool, go to the gym often, or just enjoy cycling, then the Huawei bracelet is a good choice.

As for the Xiaomi Mi Band 3, its main advantage was and remains the best autonomy. An additional trump card up the sleeve is the trust of users, many of whom have experienced more than one generation of Mi Band bracelets. Honor, of course, cannot boast of this. Mi Band 3 will be the best option if the color screen is not an important criterion and you need a bracelet exclusively for everyday use without an emphasis on sports.

A more visual comparison of the characteristics of the devices is in the table below.

	Honor band 4	Xiaomi Mi Band 3
Capsule size, mm	43 × 17, 2 × 11, 5	46, 9 × 17, 9 × 12
Strap adjustment, mm	126–221	155–216
Weight, g	23	20
Moisture protection	IP68 5 ATM	IP68 5 ATM
Screen	0.95-inch OLED color sensory	0.78 inches, OLED, 128 × 80 pixels, monochrome, touch
Bluetooth	4.2	4.2
NFC	There is	Optional
Accelerometer	Six-axis	Three-axis
Heart rate monitor	There is	There is
Battery	100 mAh, 14 days	110 mAh, 20 days
Start price, yuan	199	199 (169 without NFC)