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Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Review: The New Budget Fitness Tracker That Might Rival Mid-Tier Brands
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Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 21:18 GMT by Live Science- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Review – The New Kid on the Block?
Live Science – A comprehensive look at Xiaomi’s latest fitness tracker
Xiaomi’s Smart Band line has been a staple of the “budget‑fitness‑tracker” market for years, but the company is no longer content to simply rest on past successes. The brand’s newest entrant, the Smart Band 10, promises a host of incremental upgrades that could turn it into a serious contender against mid‑tier offerings from Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin. Live Science’s review digs into every facet of the device – from design to accuracy, battery life to software – to give you a clear picture of whether the new tracker lives up to the hype.
1. Design and Display
The Smart Band 10 keeps the familiar slim‑profile form factor but swaps out the older 1.1‑inch screen for a larger, 1.47‑inch AMOLED display. The new screen is “black‑out” on the back side, giving it a more premium feel, and its brightness ramps up to 900 cd/m², noticeably brighter than its predecessor’s 450 cd/m². The “always‑on” mode uses a minimal 0.1 Hz refresh, so the battery isn’t hit hard.
The band’s case is made of 6061 aluminum with a matte finish, giving it a sturdy, more “premium” look than the previous plastic‑in‑plastic mix. The rubberized strap is available in six colors, and the overall weight drops from 36 g to 32 g thanks to a lighter battery and slimmer case. The device is water‑rated 5‑ATM, so it can handle showering, swimming, and even diving up to 50 m.
2. Health Sensors and Tracking Features
Xiaomi has pushed the sensor envelope in the Smart Band 10:
| Sensor | New/Improved? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Heart‑Rate Monitor | Yes | Dual‑LED IR/Red algorithm, now calibrated against a Polar H10 chest strap for better accuracy. |
| Blood‑Oxygen (SpO₂) | Yes | Added a second IR LED and a new “pulse‑width modulation” algorithm that reduces noise. |
| Stress & Mood | Yes | Added an “EDA” (electrodermal activity) sensor to gauge galvanic skin response, which Live Science says correlates with stress levels. |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Uses both heart‑rate variability and motion sensors to break down REM, light, and deep stages. |
| Step & Activity | Yes | Adds “workout mode” for five new sports (e.g., rowing, cycling). |
The review’s testers measured the SpO₂ sensor by comparing its readings to a high‑end pulse oximeter (Masimo MightySat) across five different skin tones and body positions. The Smart Band 10’s average error margin was +1.1 % compared to the reference device, which is “excellent for a budget tracker” according to Live Science’s lead reviewer, Dr. Maya Patel.
For heart‑rate accuracy, the device was worn alongside a Polar H10 chest strap while running, walking, and resting. The mean absolute error (MAE) was 2.6 beats per minute for steady‑state activity, a 17 % improvement over the Smart Band 9’s 3.0 bpm MAE. The review notes that while still not at the level of premium watches, the Smart Band 10’s numbers are “very competitive for its price point.”
3. Battery Life
One of the Smart Band 10’s most compelling claims is a 10‑day battery life “under normal use.” Live Science tested the device on a daily cycle of 30 min workouts, 2 h phone notifications, and full‑night sleep tracking. The band lasted 9 days 16 hrs before needing a recharge, beating the Smart Band 9’s 7‑day life. In “heavy‑use” mode—continuous workout mode, 10 h daily notifications, and constant heart‑rate monitoring—the battery ran roughly 4 days, still ahead of its competitor.
The reviewer stresses that battery life is heavily dependent on the number of daily alarms, the intensity of the workouts, and whether the “always‑on” display is enabled. Turning off “always‑on” conserves 30 % of battery life, and using the low‑power 1.5‑Hz heart‑rate monitor during workouts adds another 10 % saving.
4. Software & Ecosystem
The Smart Band 10 runs on Xiaomi’s new Mi Fit (now Xiaomi Wear) app, which is a slick, color‑coordinated interface with a new “Health” tab that aggregates all sensor data. The app also offers built‑in coaching for sleep, stress, and heart‑rate zones, which Live Science found “impressively intuitive” and “easily customizable.”
One of the biggest improvements is the new Xiaomi Wear SDK that lets developers build fitness apps that can read real‑time data from the band. In the review, a third‑party developer was able to stream heart‑rate data into Strava in real time. This kind of integration is a rare treat for a low‑cost device.
The band supports Bluetooth 5.2, which means faster pairing and more reliable data sync. It also supports NFC for contactless payments in China but not in the US (so that feature isn’t covered in the review).
5. Price & Value
When it launched, the Smart Band 10 was priced at $29.99 (USD) for the standard model and $39.99 for the “Gold Edition” that includes a silicone strap. The price is 30 % lower than the cheapest mid‑tier Apple Watch SE and 15 % lower than the newest Fitbit Charge 5, yet the band packs a host of sensors that were absent in those earlier budget models.
The review concluded that the Smart Band 10’s value proposition is clear: “If you’re looking for a full‑spectrum fitness tracker that can handle workouts, sleep, stress, and blood‑oxygen monitoring without breaking the bank, this band is a winner.”
6. Pros & Cons
Pros
- 1.47‑inch AMOLED display with high brightness
- 10‑day battery life (normal use)
- 60‑zone heart‑rate monitoring + new SpO₂ sensor
- Added EDA sensor for stress tracking
- Water‑rated 5‑ATM (supports swimming)
- Integrated coaching and sleep analytics
- Affordable price point
Cons
- No on‑screen GPS (requires paired phone)
- Heart‑rate accuracy still not at premium level
- EDA data interpretation is still in early stages
- No NFC support in the US
7. Takeaway
The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 is a solid step forward for the brand’s flagship line, combining a bright, modern display, improved health sensors, and a battery life that tops many rivals. While it still lags behind premium smartwatches in terms of sensor precision and app polish, the review from Live Science shows that it punches well above its weight for the price. For anyone on a budget who wants a comprehensive fitness tracker that covers workouts, sleep, stress, and blood‑oxygen levels, the Smart Band 10 is a hard‑to‑beat contender.
Read the Full Live Science Article at:
[ https://www.livescience.com/health/exercise/xiaomi-smart-band-10-fitness-tracker-review ]
