- Xiaomi Smart Band 10 brings a bigger AMOLED screen but few real upgrades.
- Strap issues and a small price hike hurt its value compared to the Band 9.
- Offers 150+ fitness modes, strong battery life, and useful smart features.
- Still one of the best budget trackers but lacks innovation.
Xiaomi is back with another budget-friendly fitness tracker. The new Xiaomi Smart Band 10 arrives as the successor to the Smart Band 9, bringing a larger screen and a small price bump. But aside from those modest upgrades, the latest model feels like more of the same from the brand that has dominated the affordable fitness tracker market for years.
Bigger Display, Slightly Bigger Price
The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 continues the company’s tradition of offering a low-cost wearable with plenty of health and fitness tools. It now comes with a 1.72-inch AMOLED display that offers brighter visuals and slightly better visibility outdoors. The larger screen makes reading notifications and checking workout stats easier, especially under bright sunlight.
The fitness tracker costs around $73.99 in the US, £39.99 in the UK, and AU$133 in Australia. That is a noticeable increase over the previous model, which launched at a lower price point. Xiaomi also released a more premium Ceramic Edition that comes with a ceramic body and a stylish Pearl White color option. It looks better and feels sturdier but adds extra weight and cost.
Despite the higher price, the Smart Band 10 still sits comfortably in the budget category. However, the lack of major new features might make the older Smart Band 9 a better deal for many buyers, especially as discounts continue to drop its price.
Familiar Design with a Flawed Strap
Xiaomi has kept the minimalist look that its fitness trackers are known for. The Smart Band 10 feels light on the wrist, weighing only around 16 grams. The smooth body sits comfortably, and the touchscreen remains responsive and easy to navigate. However, the default strap is a weak point this year.
The included fluororubber strap uses a simple push-pin clasp, which often fails to stay secure. During testing, it would pop loose with little effort and even fell off during workouts. This is a frustrating flaw for a device designed for fitness. Xiaomi does sell additional straps in materials like leather, silk, and TPU, but that means spending extra money to fix an issue that should not exist.
Reliable Performance with Room to Improve
The Smart Band 10 performs well for basic tracking. It offers over 150 workout modes, covering everything from running and cycling to swimming and even casual activities like yoga or dancing. While some modes only track time and heart rate, others provide more detailed data such as stride, cadence, or pace.
One highlight is the inclusion of preset running workouts. These built-in programs guide you through interval sessions, which are handy for beginners. The heart rate monitor is fairly accurate, and the tracker also supports sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and SpO2 measurement. However, it still lacks built-in GPS. You need to keep your smartphone nearby to track distance accurately.
Battery life remains a strong point. Xiaomi promises up to 21 days of use on a single charge. In real-world testing, the band lasted close to 18 or 19 days, depending on workout frequency and screen brightness. That’s impressive for a wearable this small.
There were occasional bugs in both the device and the Mi Fitness app, though they were not dealbreakers. One concerning moment occurred when the tracker overheated under the sun and shut off during a workout, only restarting after being plugged in. It’s something outdoor runners might want to watch for in warmer climates.
Smart Features That Add Everyday Value
Beyond fitness, the Smart Band 10 includes a few lifestyle tools that make it more useful throughout the day. You can control music playback, view weather updates, and receive smartphone notifications directly on your wrist. The larger screen makes reading messages easier, though the small on-screen buttons for music control can be tricky to tap accurately.
The Mi Fitness app ties everything together, showing detailed graphs and summaries of workouts, sleep, and activity levels. It also lets you customize the band’s watch faces, with a large library of options available from both Xiaomi and third-party designers. However, syncing and permissions setup can sometimes take a few extra steps.
The daily health goals feature remains motivating. The tracker encourages users to hit targets for calories burned, steps taken, and minutes of activity each day. Even without a planned workout, it helps nudge you toward a healthier routine.
A Strong Budget Tracker, But Hard to Justify Over the Band 9
The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 is still one of the best cheap fitness trackers available. It retains all the core features that made its predecessors so popular, including excellent battery life, broad workout support, and a bright, responsive display. Yet, it offers very little innovation. The price increase, weak default strap, and absence of GPS make it less compelling compared to the discounted Smart Band 9.
If you are new to fitness tracking or want a simple, reliable device to monitor your workouts, the Smart Band 10 remains a solid pick. But for many users, last year’s model delivers nearly the same experience for less money.
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