Xiaomi case color bracelet mi band 2

Everyone loves the Xiaomi Mi Band. Considering its price, it was almost the perfect wearable gadget. However, most still lacked a screen to keep track of time. The Chinese heard the users, shoved the display into the second generation, made the strap more reliable, and as a result, Mi Band 2 turned out, to review which we will begin immediately.

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Equipment

Mi Band 2 came to me in exactly the same box as the latest 1S tracker. It's still a small, flattened package made from recycled yellow cardboard. Smartphones of the company began to receive white boxes with color printing, and trackers are still delivered in boxes that have long been familiar to everyone. Maybe Xiaomi has them prepared for a hundred years ahead?

Inside we find the following: the tracker itself (the core), which is fixed separately, a bracelet and a charging cable are laid under it. All as always. There is a small manual with a quick guide to the initial setup and a QR code so that you can quickly download the branded application. We don’t need all this, we already know that you can install Mi Fit yourself from Google Play Store. But first, let's talk about the appearance of the device.

Design

For my taste, the second generation of the fitness tracker has lost the very recognizable, pleasant, and most importantly, minimalistic design that is characteristic of Xiaomi products.

For those who are interested in technology, who sit for hours on forums, read the news feed (ours in the first place, but how else?!), the device quickly became recognizable. Now try to disengage from this, discard all sympathy for the brand and take another look at the tracker, as if seeing it for the first time.

Obviously, we have another noname tracker with a heart rate monitor. The famous Mi-design does not smell here.

As confirmation of my words, below is a collage of a bunch of photos of various trackers that I found in one popular Chinese store. The task is to find out in the image of our hero in 5 seconds.

I think it is now clear that the novelty is no different from dozens of other competitors.

The first "miband" and 1S also had a noble matte finish aluminum alloy, a thin mirrored bezel around the perimeter, beautiful LEDs that gently flicker in time with this or that event. The gadget was created at the intersection of technology and art, and besides, it was also inexpensive.

Now there are technologies, an affordable price, but there is no smell of art here. Dark glass, some kind of button, I don’t understand why it turned out to be here. And it's not a button at all, but just a touch pad. It recognizes only single touches. She does not understand gestures, swipes, double taps and other acrobatic tricks.

By touching, you can switch the displayed information, cancel the alarm, turn off the vibration of the bracelet when a call arrives (you cannot accept or reject a call). On this, perhaps, and all.

I also struggled with the tracker while taking test photos.

The thing is that the glass here is a real dust collector.

Dust particles, fine dirt and other slag constantly stick to it. A soft cloth does not help, because due to static dust still sticks to the surface.

In my opinion, the new pedometer looks boring and it will only leave on the wave of popularity, which they have not heard of except perhaps only in a deaf, deaf taiga village. Even slightly rounded on the sides protective glass doesn't help the situation.

By the way, it has an oleophobic coating, but it gets scratched very quickly. A fine mesh of them, which is usually visible in bright sunlight, appeared on the second day of use.

Scratches appear literally on the second day of use

It's scary to imagine what will happen to the device after a couple of months of everyday wear. And glue protective film on the tracker, so this is another perversion.

Nevertheless, the films still appeared on sale. One and a half dollars each.

Another bad moment. There is a tiny gap between the glass and the plastic button. Dust immediately clogs up there and it all looks as if you had just arrived from the potato and the “myband” didn’t take it off when you dug it.

Ergonomics and reliability

It's no secret that losing the 1st generation Mi Band was a breeze. In my case, he jumped out, catching on the strap of a backpack or sleeve of a shirt, four times. This was due to the ill-conceived design of the strap and the tracker itself.

The core could be inserted into the bracelet both from the inside and from the outside. Over time, the gum loosened up (after a year, everything tore and peeled off in general) and the capsule could “shoot” from my hand almost on its own.

The new device has been vaccinated against all these childhood diseases.

The attachment point of the core itself and a small rim have been changed, due to which the capsule itself is now attached much more securely than before.

In addition, the novelty is inserted into the mount only through the back. Of course, this can be done from the outside, but much more effort will be required. From here, there is hope that the capsule will no longer cling to and pop out of the strap.

The clasp, in my opinion, has not changed much. In terms of reliability, of course. Externally, it is a completely different element. It won't scratch the table the same way when you put your wrist on it.

And besides, the metal button will no longer scratch the surface of the laptop next to the touchpad.

The fixing loop has become thicker, hence there is reason to believe that it will not break as quickly as it did for me (after about four months of use).

And the bracelet itself has become thicker (2.7 versus 3 mm, although the thickness varies along its entire length) and wider (13 versus 14.3 mm).

In general, in terms of reliability, all the shortcomings were eliminated, the work was carried out in the right direction. Hence the absence backward compatibility. Accessories from the first generation to the second do not fit in any way.

The size of the tracker has increased and this, I think, is good. The first Mi Band looked good on my wrist. However, on wider wrists, a small silver pebble looked somewhat comical. The 2nd generation is larger, hence its greater versatility.

I did not notice any significant changes in the quality of the materials of the strap itself. All the same pleasant, smooth to the touch, but matte bracelet. The alternate colors have been slightly changed. All of them, for my taste, look stylish and fresher.

And even earlier, Mi Band could be worn on the hand in any direction. Now the touch pad should be strictly under the screen, otherwise you will look at the numbers upside down. Their orientation cannot be changed. I got caught on this three or four times, then I began to track how I put the device on my hand.

Display

The third price is not adequate. Now there are certain interruptions in the supply, which are entirely on the conscience of the manufacturer. Believe me, it is not profitable for more than one online seller to delay the sale, shipment, and, as a result, the clearing of a warehouse space and, at the same time, not receiving the cash flow in the required amount. Unfortunately, this is where local resellers go, who are happy to sell the tracker for 4,500 - 5,000 rubles (the current price in Moscow at the time of publication). Of course, this gadget is not worth the money. It doesn't even cost 3,000 roubles. The cost is lower - that's another story.

Outcome

Of course, it is worth evaluating the Mi Band 2 solely through the prism of its cost. We have already figured out that a price in the region of $35 can be considered normal, but one should definitely not turn to the services of local dealers who raise it even higher.

The 2nd generation of the popular fitness tracker has become even more popular. The gadget still offers everything the same as before, only now a screen has appeared to display the time. Of course, this is a big plus.

Unfortunately, the Mi Band has lost its signature charm that is common to most Xiaomi devices. The novelty looks, of course, interesting, but it still lacks metal and some magic. Remember how in the first generation three bright LEDs lit up out of nowhere? Real magic! And here she is not.

I really hope that the images on the display can be customized for themselves. Let's now go further in our dreams. Imagine if you could send different statuses or emoticons to your friends through the Mi Fit app directly to your hand. This could be real social network with their roles, avatars, game rules and so on. And the entrance ticket to it would be Mi Band 2. In general, we are waiting and hoping ...

Is available for sale Price: Average $34.00 The material was prepared with the support of the online store Gearbest.com

Many users of the Mi Band 1S Pulse fitness tracker expressed, among all other wishes, the introduction of a display in the new model. And they got theirs: the second version of the bracelet is equipped with an additional OLED screen, and also received new features, which you can learn about by reading our review of Mi Band 2.

Appearance packaging does not differ from previous models - the same beige cardboard box. Inside you will find the bracelet itself and a rubber strap, as well as a USB charger and a user manual in Chinese.

Externally, the bracelet is similar to the first version of the tracker, although it is slightly larger in size, so the strap from 1S will not fit it. By the way, he became more reliable and firmly hold the capsule of the bracelet. You can pull it out only through the bottom, which practically eliminates the possibility of loss. The silicone strap has become more pleasant to the touch, and the click clasp informs that the fitness tracker is perfectly fixed on the wearer's hand.

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Screen

The tracker has a small OLED display, which is located on the front of the capsule. In addition to time, it shows information about the number of steps taken, distance, heart rate measurements and the number of calories burned.

Usually the screen is in sleep mode, and to activate it, you need to press a special button near the display, or raise your hand in such a gesture as if you were watching the time on a watch ( given function gesture control is easily configured in the Mi Fit app on your smartphone). In addition to all of the above data, the fitness tracker can also display battery level data, so you will never run into the problem of a suddenly drained battery.

By the way, the brightness of the screen is calibrated just fine: there will be no problems either in bright sunlight or in a dark room.

Touch control

The touch button and display help the user to operate the bracelet with maximum comfort. For example, you can measure your heart rate without even turning on your smartphone. To do this, scroll to the heart rate measurement screen and wait a few seconds while the fitness bracelet makes the necessary calculations and shows the data on the display. By the way, the possibility of its false positives is minimized, and the initially hidden menu allows you to scroll through it only after pressing the button.

Tracker control program

Of course, you can control Mi Band 2 directly without using your smartphone. However, their connection via Bluetooth and data synchronization through the Mi Fit program will significantly expand the list of accessory functions. You can turn on the alarm, activate alerts for calls, sms, app notifications and more.

One of the gadget's new features is notifications that the owner needs to get up and walk around, as he has been in a sitting position for a long time. In general, thanks to the Mi Fit program, you can independently add and delete data and alerts that should be displayed on its display, except for the time.

Comfort and accessories

The bracelet itself is quite light and comfortable, so that it is almost not felt on the hand. The addition of an OLED display only added comfort to everyday use of the gadget, and judging by the number of functions, it can rightfully be called a smart watch.

If you wish, you can change the standard strap from Mi Band 2 to another - turquoise, light green or orange. Of course, Mi Band 1S had a little more choice, but some Chinese sites have already released several non-original metal straps.

Battery

Xiaomi company reported that the new Mi Band 2 bracelet will work without additional recharging for at least 20 days. However, this data may fluctuate depending on how the tracker is used. If it’s full, then from 7% to 10% is spent per day, if you don’t strain it too much, then from 3% to 5%.

According to these indicators, Mi Band is the leader among similar devices on the market, since trackers usually hold a charge for a maximum of 1 week. And here the functionality is expanded, and autonomy is high. Really cool!

Functions and features

Thanks to the fact that in new version The bracelet has a display and functions, it can work even without a smartphone. Consider the functionality of the Mi Band 2 fitness tracker:

Activity tracking: steps and distance travelled. The unit of measurement is kilometers. You can view statistics for all time and for individual user-selected periods. By the way, the pedometer here is more advanced and accurate than in previous versions- there is no reaction to the usual wave of the hand.
Sleep tracking and alarm clock: displaying data on sleep time (falling asleep and waking up), as well as tracking sleep phases and the ability to turn on a smart alarm clock through special applications (waking up in REM sleep, when waking up is easy and pleasant).
Heart rate monitor: You can measure your heart rate (pulse) more accurately than in previous versions of the bracelet, and also enable gesture measurement.

Notifications: the user, at his discretion, can activate notifications about incoming calls, SMS messages and even notifications from applications on the tracker, you just need to enable this function in the settings. When it arrives incoming call or SMS, the tracker vibrates, and when something happens in the application, you will hear and feel a double vibration and see the icon App on display.
Smartphone unlock via Bluetooth: this function works if the bracelet and phone are at a distance of about 5 meters from each other.

In addition to this list, there are some more, as it initially seemed to us, hidden chips, such as the mode "Run" for training and notification that you need to get up and walk around. By the way, the fitness tracker is very resistant to low and high temperatures: it can work in conditions from -20°C to +70°C. If the gadget is supercooled, it will work less - up to 5.5 days. Also, the bracelet will withstand a fall from a height of 1.2 meters onto a hard surface.

Conclusion

Almost every user of the Mi Band 1S Pulse said that the device simply needs a display. The developers took into account all the wishes and created a really cool gadget that has advanced features and a nice design. This is truly one of the best trackers out there. this moment. Therefore, if you are thinking about buying a fitness bracelet, be sure to take this model, you will not regret it. Moreover, it is sold at a very pleasant price - only $ 30.

Pavel Gorodnitsky tested the most hyped Xiaomi product and made sure that this is just a cheap wick that shows the time and serves as an alarm clock.

Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is a unique device, the example of which can easily explain why gullible people adore the Chinese company so much.

First you need to look at the characteristics of Mi Band 2 and gasp: on paper, a fitness bracelet for 1500–2500 rubles turns out to be a monstrous device that can really do anything.

First, Mi Band 2, unlike Apple Watch, syncs not only with iOS, but also with Android. Secondly, this penny gadget has a heart rate monitor - an attribute of expensive models.

Thirdly, the bracelet works incredibly long on a single charge - it can be connected to an outlet once every three to four weeks. Fourthly, with Mi Band 2 you can take a shower without worrying that it will break. In addition, Xiaomi boasts a functional application, tiny weight and neutral design of its product.

After reading these roulades, you instantly want to jump to the nearest store and purchase an almighty miracle device without unnecessary consultations. Involuntarily, there is a feeling that Mi Band 2 will not only help you move more and stimulate you to play sports, but also make sure that you do everything correctly and achieve results as quickly as possible. For example, lost weight or pumped up. No wonder there is a heart rate monitor and a calorie counter?

Of course, I guessed that everything was not so simple with the Xiaomi bracelet, but after listening to a dozen reviews in the spirit of "Great thing, I strongly recommend it", I placed an order and soon received a small box.

I must say right away: the bracelet really charges quickly and holds a charge for a cosmically long time. It also displays the time well and silently wakes you up in the morning - thanks to the bright screen and vibration motor. But with all other missions, Mi Band 2 copes frankly poorly.

1. Pedometer is one of the main options of the bracelet. It is not entirely clear what its unique mission is (everyone already carries phones with the same pedometer), but since Xiaomi volunteered to count steps, let her gadget do it correctly.

In fact, the basic principle of the pedometer is total randomness. He waved his hand, lying on the couch, - a step. You walk at a fast pace on the treadmill, holding on to metal handles - zero steps. At the same time, the phone, which lies in the pocket of shorts during cardio training, calmly records all steps.

As a result, it turns out that for those who do not play sports, Mi Band 2 attributes extra steps, and for those who bother walking along the path, it takes them away.

Now I understand why the sofa owners of the bracelet are so happy. Every day they receive one or two thousand bonus steps from Xiaomi and naively think that they have burned a lot of calories and will soon lose weight. In vain.

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What are the conclusions?

Xiaomi very competently called the device not a sports bracelet, but a fitness bracelet.

Fitness is an extremely flexible concept: those fake steps and burned calories that Mi Band 2 measures can be considered physical activity. But frankly, the device has nothing to do with sports at all. Absolutely.

It will not be useful either for beginners, or for amateurs, and even more so for professionals.

Mi Band 2 has only two purposes.

One is practical: the bracelet shows the time and almost silently wakes up with vibration - this is true for those who do not want to interrupt the sleep of their wife, husband or child.

And the second application is purely image. You can say to friends who noticed the gadget on your wrist: "Look, I took a bracelet for myself, now I monitor activity and pulse, I switched to a healthy lifestyle." Friends will be interested in the price, they will find out that Mi Band 2 costs a penny, and they will also buy it.

And it doesn’t matter that a third of the declared functions work normally at best: Xiaomi users are more interested in what is written on the box, and not what the device is capable of in reality.

Fitness bracelet from Xiaomi is now at the peak of popularity. It is understandable, because it helps people who follow their figure to track their activity, pulse and count calories. The new generation of such devices has become even more high-tech. It has many additional useful features. So, it is easy to be in shape and stay mobile when you have the Mi Band 2 gadget. Setting up this device does not take much time, and the benefits of using it are enormous.

Description of the device

The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 device has a strict, concise and at the same time stylish look (the factory settings of the device can be changed immediately after registering on the site).

The gadget has a thin rubber strap, in the middle of which is an electronic oval capsule. On the inside of the capsule there is a sensor that monitors the pulse, and the outer part of the capsule screen shows the desired values. Has a flat glossy appearance.

You can purchase a strap of any color for the fitness device. The electronics are easily removed from the belt. Freely can take place in the new generation of colored straps. And you should not buy old-style belts, as they will not fit here in size.

The main feature of Mi Band 2 (setting the clock will help you turn on the desired modes and start the gadget to work) is a small monochrome display.

The touch round button at the bottom of the screen allows you to manage the settings of the device and starts the action with one touch of the hand.

The screen contains information about the selected mode, time, incoming messages and calls.

The strap clasp is easy to put on and fastens securely. The strap itself does not interfere with sleep and active sports, fitness. It has a large enough range, so people with any wrist width can wear it. The gadget is waterproof and has the ability to withstand temporary exposure to water and is quite well protected from dust. You can't swim or swim with it.

Technical characteristics of the device

Mi Band 2 (configuring the device will determine the degree of daily activity and the time spent on sleep) consists of a belt and an electronic capsule. The strap is made of silicone thermoplastic vulcanizate, and the capsule contains materials such as plastic and polycarbonate.

As mentioned above, the body of the device has two sensors. The first three-axis accelerometer, the second optical heart rate monitor. The gadget is equipped with the following features:

measurement of heart rate;
accounting for the distance traveled;
pedometer;
the number of calories burned;
sleep monitoring;
notification of incoming calls, messages;
unlocking a smartphone or tablet.

The device has a monochrome OLED display. Its diagonal is 0.42 inches. The indication of the device can be carried out both through the display and with the help of a vibration motor. Together with the device there is a lithium-polymer built-in battery with a capacity of 70 mAh. Fitness watches can work offline for up to twenty days. Bluetooth 4.0 LE is built into the device.

The device can be used at temperatures ranging from -20 to +70 °C. The dimensions of the electronic device are: 40.3x15.7x10.5 mm, and the weight of the electronic capsule without a belt is 7 g. There is compatibility with operating systems such as iOS 7 and Android 4.3. The length of the bracelet is 235 mm.

The Mi Band 2 model (setting the time on the device is carried out first) differs from other Xiaomi bracelets in its OLED screen and touch controls. The gadget can work in duo with both a smartphone and a tablet.

Equipment

Setting up the Mi Band 2 bracelet does not take much time, the main thing is to clearly follow the instructions given in the instructions. The bracelet is packaged in a light brown cardboard box. The box contains a recess in which the electronic capsule lies. Its upper part is covered with special glass. Directly under the capsule is a bracelet along with instructions for using the device. Not far from the capsule is a charger that has a USB connector.

The tracker is carefully removed from the belt and inserted into the charger. The contacts of the products must fit snugly against each other. The USB connector connects to an available USB 2.0 port on your computer or adapter. The electronic capsule is considered fully charged if all three indicators on the case are lit. The first charge of the device takes about two hours. In the future, it will take less time to charge the device.

Do not try to charge the tracker in any other way. Otherwise, it may burn out. It is forbidden to insert the charger into the adapter, where the current is 2A. In this situation, it may be severely damaged.

Registration procedure

Setting up Mi Band 2 begins with registering your own Mi account. The registration procedure can be completed both on a smartphone and through a browser on the Internet.

When registering through a browser, you should follow the links located on the official website of the company or in the instructions for using the device. First of all, you must fill out a questionnaire. In the line "Country / Region" indicate the country, in the cell "Email" enter the email address. Opposite the "Birthday" value is the date of birth. You need to uncheck the checkbox for the news mailing list, as the information comes in Chinese. Next, enter the password, which must have at least eight characters, and captcha. Your profile should include a phone number that will help you recover your password if you lose it.

The login is an email address or a phone number.
Registration in the Mi-system can be done through a smartphone after installing the appropriate application. If incorrect parameters were entered in the Mi Band 2 tracker, resetting the settings will help eliminate this inaccuracy.

Application installation

Setting up Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is carried out after installing the appropriate application on your smartphone. If the smartphone is Android (version 4.3 or newer, and Bluetooth must be at least version 4.0), then you can install the application in Russian, which is taken from the Play Market. Or, as an option, install the Russified version, which can be downloaded from the official website of the company.

After installing the application, you should go to the next page and complete all the necessary settings.

If you have an iPhone smartphone (iOS version 7.0 and newer, as well as iPhone 4S), then you should open the AppStore and follow the link provided. The official Mi Fit app will open here. It needs to be downloaded and installed. English application. After these manipulations, further configuration of the gadget should be carried out.

How to reset Mi Band 2 settings will be mentioned later in the article.

Instrument setup

Setting up Mi Band 2 includes a Mi account, a tracker and a special application. All this should closely and continuously interact with each other.
At the first stage of the settings, you should log in to a special application. To do this, you need to enter the username and password from the Mi account. Next, you should sequentially enter information about yourself:

name or nickname;
date of birth;
growth;
the minimum number of steps.

All this data can be changed at any time in the account settings. Setting up Xiaomi Mi Band 2 in the next step involves linking a tracker. To do this, you need to connect a smartphone and a bracelet using bluetooth. Then you need to follow the instructions on the screen. At the first stage, you need to select the type of device, then a message should appear asking you to click on Mi Band. To do this, lightly tap on the application with your finger. After that, a message will appear stating that the binding is completed.

If the wireless binding is successful, then the firmware on the Mi Band will be updated. During the software update, the fitness bracelet must be near the phone. As soon as the setup of the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 bracelet is completed, the interface of the specified application will open.

Using the Mi Band app

Once setup 2 is complete, you can start using the app. The interface is divided into three tabs, which are the main ones here, these are:

"Profile".
"Notifications".
"Activity".

After touching the steps diagram in the "Activity" section. Here you will see a bar graph and the total number of sessions completed. It can be swiped left or right. Sort into folders by date. View your achievements for the past days. The data in this category can be distributed by days, weeks and months.

The "Statistics" option shows general data:

distance;
number of steps;
number of lessons.

In the "Sleep" section, statistics are given for the night that has passed. It displays the wake-up time, as well as the moments of slow and fast sleep. There is data on the duration of sleep, its onset and wake-up time. Scrolling to the left of the data, you can see past sleep statistics by day.

Run function. To use it, turn off the GPS and wait until the icon that determines the number of satellites turns green. After that, you should use the "Start" option. When running, the electronic scoreboard displays general information. The program allows you to switch to the map. As a result, you can visually see the trajectory of movement.

The Notifications tab is divided into:

"Challenges". When an incoming call is received, an alert is sent through the bracelet. It is possible to turn off notifications from unknown numbers.
"Alarm". Allows you to set the wake-up time on the bracelet. Mi Band wakes up even when the phone is completely discharged.
"Messages". Just like with incoming calls, you receive a notification of a new message in the form of a vibration. You can turn off the notification of messages coming from other people's numbers.
"Applications". Here you can set up notifications about actions taking place in applications (for example, in Telegram).
"Device alarm clock". The Mi Band program duplicates the functions of the phone's alarm clock on the device.
Screen Unlock. The smartphone must be configured in such a way that the bracelet can unlock it. To do this, lock the screen by any available methods, and unlock it with Mi Band "ohm.
"Visibility". The option starts visibility so that other devices can see the bracelet.
Paragraph "Services" allows you to share your results and sync them to WeChat, QQ and Weibo.
"Profile". In this part of the screen, the main part of the bracelet setup takes place. The account icon allows you to access personal information. Here you will find the data that was entered when you first started this program: date of birth, gender, age, etc. Below you can view a list of functions that this application can perform.

As additional features of the device is considered:

"Visual control". By pressing the touch button, you can view the activity time, number of steps, calories, heart rate, calories and battery power. This item is configured in the Profile-Mi Band 2-Display information menu.
"Search for a bracelet". You need to go to the application and select Profile - Devices - Mi Band and search for Mi Band. As a result, the bracelet should emit two characteristic vibration signals.
"Friends". Allows not only to add friends and relatives to the application, but also to monitor their progress.

How to reset settings?

A fitness bracelet is simply indispensable for people involved in sports. They are happy to use the useful functions of the device. They can adjust the options as they wish through a tablet or smartphone. The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 bracelet is a simple and quite stylish gadget. Even a schoolboy can easily understand its functions. The device is compatible with many well-known operating systems.

In addition to the above positive qualities, the device has one very significant drawback. The instructions do not say a word about how to do a factory reset. Mi Band 2 in this case should be used in conjunction with a tablet or smartphone. The app for the Mi Fit tracker must be installed. So, the order of zeroing the device is as follows:

Linking Mi Band2 to your profile.
Open the Mi Fit app and sign in.
Untie the bracelet from the profile. To do this, in the Mi Fit application, select the “Unpair” option and click on it. Fitness tracker will be unlinked from the profile.

After the above actions, the bracelet will not be in the user's list. Now the bracelet can be linked to another user. To do this, the bind button is activated and the selection is confirmed again by pressing the same button. After binding to a new profile, the bracelet will begin to vibrate, which means a complete reset.

If you cannot access the profile to which the fitness tracker is attached, then you cannot reset the settings using this method. In this case, some users recommend completely discharging the device. Given the autonomy of the tracker, the battery will be completely discharged in a month, and this is too long. Some users, at their own risk, recommend putting the electronic capsule in the freezer, but there are no facts indicating the correctness of such actions and a positive result.

It was discussed above how to reset the Xiaomi Mi Band 2, and now let's move on to the cost of the device.

Gadget cost

The cost of a sports gadget ranges from 1500 to 2500 rubles. The device can be purchased through online stores or sporting goods stores.

Apparently, Xiaomi has decided to update its fitness devices every six months. Each of them makes a splash, and each time the company only increases its sales. Last year, Mi Band became the best-selling smart fitness accessory. We wrote about and about. The turn has come to tell your impressions of the second generation device - Mi Band 2.

Specifications of Xiaomi Mi Band 2

Capsule materials: polycarbonate, plastic.
Bracelet materials: thermoplastic silicone vulcanizate.
Case protection class: IP67.
Functions: heart rate measurement, pedometer, counting distance and calories burned, sleep monitoring, smart alarm clock, call notifications, tablet/smartphone unlock.
Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor.
Indication: 0.42 inch monochrome OLED display, vibration motor.
Battery: built-in lithium-polymer 70 mAh.
Autonomous work: up to 20 days.
Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0 LE.
Operating temperature: -20 to +70 °C.
Dimensions: 40.3 × 15.7 × 10.5 mm.
Weight: 7 g.
Compatibility: iOS 7 / Android 4.3.
Delivery set: module, bracelet, charging cable.

The novelty differs from other Xiaomi fitness bracelets in the presence of an OLED screen and a touch button. The bracelet consists of two parts - a plastic capsule and a strap. The module has become larger. Weight also increased, although it is not felt. The basic functionality, not related to the screen, has not changed much, as well as the requirements for a smartphone with which the device will work in duet.

Appearance and scope of delivery

The traditional cardboard box for the line contains the Mi Band 2 module, a bracelet, instructions in Chinese and a charger.

The main module has undergone significant changes. The top panel is now occupied by an OLED display and a touch-sensitive button. Due to the used matrix, the image on the screen is perfectly readable in the sun and does not blind in the dark. Most of the time, the display is dark and turns on only when necessary: when you press a button, receive an alert, or need to look at the clock (how to do this without touching the device, read below). The button is capacitive, does not respond to third-party objects. The entire panel is now flat.

In addition to the appearance of the screen and the button embedded in it, there are other external changes. So, Xiaomi Mi Band 2 uses a new heart rate monitor - this can be seen upon closer inspection. There is less light from the sensors, the LEDs are located differently. But most importantly, now the heart rate monitor window is in the fairing, which rises above the module by almost 1.5 mm.

The strap has also changed. Now it is adjustable between 155-210 mm, and the total length is 235 mm. The module of the first version was inserted from the outside and periodically fell out. In the new design, the functional capsule can only be inserted from the inside (hand side). In addition, the capsule does not protrude, on the contrary, the edges of the recess in the bracelet rise above it, protecting the screen. This fixes two of the most serious design flaws - no more scratches and losses!

Since the updated device is significantly larger than the first model, there are certain problems when using it. For example, the child can no longer wear it. On a miniature female hand, the Mi Band 2 bracelet looks bulky and can be large.

Due to the increased dimensions, the device can often hurt something. Saves only a strong bracelet.

Following the changed dimensions of the capsule, the charger has also changed. It has become deeper and wider, the charging pins have become longer. The old charger will not work. Installing Mi Band 1 or 1s in the slot for the second model is more realistic, but only using some kind of spacers to ensure contact between the charging contacts and the module.

Functionality

Unlike previous versions, the novelty is able to work offline or through the application. At the same time, the general set of functions has not changed much.

The bracelet is still able to monitor activity, heart rate, count calories, steps, distance, and track sleep phases. The pedometer of the novelty is improved and, according to the manufacturer, more accurate. The difference between the readings of Mi Band 1s and Mi Band 2 reaches 10-15%. The device no longer responds to simple waves of the hand.

Since the update also affected the heart rate monitor, we can also expect an increase in accuracy here. The error during testing did not exceed 5%.

Notifications work in the same scope, but their set depends on the application used. With incoming calls and SMS, the bracelet vibrates. When alerted by an app, it will vibrate twice and show the App icon.

Like previous models, Xiaomi Mi Band 2 can unlock a connected smartphone via Bluetooth if both devices are within range of the interface. In fact, unlocking works at distances not exceeding 5 m.

The bracelet is able to work in difficult temperature conditions from +70 to -20 °C. In case of hypothermia, battery life will be reduced to 128 hours. Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is able to withstand a fall onto a hard surface from a height of 1.2 m.

Offline Mode: Screen and Gesture Features

Mi Band 2 displays the most significant information on the screen: time, number of steps taken, heart rate. The touch button is used for display. The first press on it turns on the clock. On the second press, the gadget shows the number of steps. On the third, a heart is displayed on the screen and the measurement of the pulse is started, or its value is shown if the pulse has changed during the last minute. If you do not tap on the button after the measurement has been taken, and wait for the screen to turn off, then the first time you touch the button, not the time, but the heart rate value will be displayed. The same will happen with the statistics of steps.

All data is updated using built-in sensors. Your device only needs to sync with your smartphone when the battery is low. If you charge Mi Band 2 on time, you can use the smartphone and the application very rarely, and then only to view statistics.

The time display function is very conveniently implemented. To recognize it, it is enough to turn your hand sharply - the screen wakes up and shows the time, regardless of the last type of data viewed. This works even when typing on the keyboard when the hand is on the table. It is not required to tear it off the surface, it always works.

Applications and Compatibility

As before, the functionality of the device depends on the selected application. Pedometer, distance traveled, sleep tracking and detailed statistics are available in versions of the program for any device and market.

The iOS app has not been tested. But with versions for Android, everything is not in the best way. Now the official app on Google Play works with any Mi Band, smart scales and two types of sneakers, just like the Chinese app. There is also an unlocking of the smartphone using a bracelet. When it is nearby and paired with your phone via Bluetooth, you do not need to enter a password. However, there is no running function in it, but there is synchronization with MyFitnessPal and Google Fit.

The official Chinese version of the application, which is distributed through the MIUI OS store, cannot be synchronized with other applications. But there is a running mode, which is activated by a special button, as well as a voice assistant for the running mode (it is translated in the amateur assembly). And, according to some reports, it is possible to build a track for walking or jogging (this point has not been verified).

All official apps allow you to set up notifications (for Android 4.4 and above and iOS) about incoming calls and notifications from three apps to choose from. When you call, the device vibrates twice, pauses and continues the cycle while the call is in progress (by the way, you can set the delay from the start of the call so as not to experience unnecessary discomfort).

The new Mi Fit app can vibrate to remind the user of the need to move throughout the day.

Unfortunately, starting with Mi Fit 2.0, the smart alarm clock has disappeared from the app. Even if it appears, it still does not work. Therefore, if this feature is important to you, it is better to use previous versions or amateur builds.

There are also for working with Mi Band. Each of them has its pros and cons, try them in action and choose the most suitable one.

autonomy

Despite the fact that the bracelet arrived in a whole plastic package, the battery was charged. According to the application, the gadget was charged 29 days ago. With the screen turned off, it lasted 29 days.

In two days of active testing (3-5 syncs, up to 20 heart rate measurements, freezing attempt, screen turning on frequently, working as a clock), the battery level dropped to 16%. If you train often enough and wear the Mi Band 2 as a watch, the battery will last for 12-15 days (with the more accurate sleep tracking function enabled, which takes frequent heart rate measurements). With less active use, the device can work 20-30 days.

Testing in aggressive conditions

Despite the manufacturer's protection against water and dust according to the IP67 standard, users quite often complained about Mi Band 1 and 1s due to leaks. The test specimen survived hot and cold showers and even attempts to drown it under direct running water for an hour just fine. True, it was revealed that the first touch of a jet of hot water activates the button. If the flow is not interrupted due to movement or shutdown of the water, no repeat operations are observed.

The button also works on a bracelet frozen to -18 ° C. And both after removing from the freezer, and right in it. Reacts to cold and wet fingers.

Results

All Mi Band users agreed that the device needed a screen. Xiaomi engineers did exactly what they were asked. Now Mi Band is an unobtrusive bracelet that turns into a fitness gadget if necessary. To take or not to take? Be sure to take.

Now the cost of Xiaomi Mi Band 2 (where it is actually available) reaches $60. The phenomenon is temporary, designed for fans who want to get the long-awaited gadget as soon as possible. During the summer, its cost will certainly decrease.

Recall that the official sales of the new Mi Band started on June 30. A couple of weeks after this, the devices will appear in the warehouses of stores available to the Russian buyer.