Huawei Band 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: Which Fitness Tracker Reigns Supreme?

Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Two popular contenders in the budget-friendly segment are the Huawei Band 2 and the **Xiaomi Mi Band 3i**. Both offer a range of features designed to track your fitness progress and keep you motivated. But which one comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of both trackers, helping you make an informed decision.

Design and Display: A Tale of Two Styles

The Huawei Band 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 3i boast distinct designs, catering to different tastes. The Huawei Band 2 adopts a more traditional wristband look with a rectangular display, while the Mi Band 3i opts for a circular display reminiscent of a classic watch.
The Huawei Band 2’s display is a vibrant 0.96-inch color touchscreen, offering a clear and responsive user interface. It’s also relatively large, making it easy to navigate menus and view information. The Mi Band 3i, on the other hand, features a smaller 0.78-inch monochrome display. While it lacks the color vibrancy of the Huawei Band 2, it’s still legible and functional.
In terms of comfort, both bands are lightweight and comfortable to wear, even during sleep. The Huawei Band 2’s design might feel slightly bulkier due to its larger display, but this is a matter of personal preference.

Fitness Tracking: Keeping You On Track

Both the Huawei Band 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 3i excel in fitness tracking capabilities. They can monitor various activities, including:

• Steps: Both trackers accurately count steps taken throughout the day, providing you with a clear picture of your daily activity level.
• Distance: They also measure the distance you cover, whether it’s walking, running, or cycling.
• Calories burned: Both bands estimate the number of calories you burn during your workouts, helping you stay on track with your fitness goals.
• Sleep: They monitor your sleep patterns, providing insights into your sleep quality and duration, allowing you to make adjustments for better rest.
• Heart rate: Both trackers feature continuous heart rate monitoring, enabling you to track your heart rate variability and identify potential health issues.

The Huawei Band 2 goes a step further by offering more advanced fitness features, including:

• Workout modes: It offers a wider range of workout modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and more. This allows for more detailed tracking and analysis of your specific workouts.
• GPS: The Huawei Band 2 integrates GPS, enabling it to accurately track your outdoor workouts and provide detailed route maps. This feature is absent in the Mi Band 3i, limiting its outdoor tracking capabilities.

Smart Features: Beyond Fitness Tracking

Both fitness trackers offer a selection of smart features that enhance their functionality and convenience:

• Notifications: Both devices allow you to receive notifications from your smartphone, including calls, messages, and app alerts.
• Music control: You can control music playback on your smartphone directly from the band, making it easy to adjust volume or switch tracks during workouts.
• Find my phone: If you ever misplace your phone, you can use the band to locate it by making it ring.
• Alarm: Both trackers allow you to set alarms, ensuring you wake up on time or remember important appointments.

The Huawei Band 2 takes the lead in smart features, offering:

• NFC: The Huawei Band 2 includes NFC for contactless payments, making it a more versatile tool for everyday use. This feature is missing in the Mi Band 3i.
• Huawei Health app: The Huawei Band 2 integrates seamlessly with the Huawei Health app, offering a comprehensive platform for managing your health and fitness data.

Battery Life: Staying Powered Up

Battery life is a crucial factor for fitness trackers, as you don’t want to constantly worry about charging them. Both the Huawei Band 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 3i deliver impressive battery performance:

• Huawei Band 2: The Huawei Band 2 boasts a battery life of up to 7 days on a single charge, making it ideal for extended use without needing frequent recharging.
• Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: The Mi Band 3i offers a slightly longer battery life of up to 10 days, giving it a slight edge in this regard.

Both trackers charge quickly, ensuring you can get back to tracking your fitness goals in no time.

Price Comparison: Value for Money

The Huawei Band 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 3i are both budget-friendly fitness trackers, offering excellent value for their price.

• Huawei Band 2: It’s typically priced slightly higher than the Mi Band 3i, but its advanced features and GPS capabilities justify the extra cost for those who prioritize comprehensive fitness tracking.
• Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: The Mi Band 3i is a more affordable option, making it a great choice for budget-conscious individuals who are primarily looking for basic fitness tracking and smart notifications.

Choosing the Right Tracker for You

Ultimately, the best fitness tracker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.

• Huawei Band 2: Choose the Huawei Band 2 if you prioritize comprehensive fitness tracking, GPS, NFC payments, and a vibrant color display.
• Xiaomi Mi Band 3i: Opt for the Xiaomi Mi Band 3i if you’re looking for a budget-friendly tracker with long battery life, basic fitness tracking, and smart notifications.

The Verdict: A Balanced Choice

While both the Huawei Band 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 3i offer compelling features, the Huawei Band 2 emerges as the more versatile and feature-rich option. Its advanced fitness tracking, GPS, NFC, and vibrant display make it a great choice for those who want a comprehensive fitness companion. However, the Mi Band 3i remains a solid contender for budget-conscious users who prioritize long battery life and basic fitness tracking.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: Can I use the Huawei Band 2 or Xiaomi Mi Band 3i for swimming?
A: The Huawei Band 2 is water-resistant up to 5ATM, making it suitable for swimming. The Mi Band 3i is water-resistant up to 1ATM, meaning it can withstand splashes but is not designed for swimming.
Q: Do both trackers support app notifications?
A: Yes, both the Huawei Band 2 and Xiaomi Mi Band 3i support notifications from your smartphone, including calls, messages, and app alerts.
Q: Can I use the Huawei Band 2 for contactless payments?
A: Yes, the Huawei Band 2 features NFC, allowing you to make contactless payments using supported services. The Mi Band 3i does not support NFC payments.
Q: How often do I need to charge the trackers?
A: The Huawei Band 2 typically lasts up to 7 days on a single charge, while the Mi Band 3i can last up to 10 days. Both trackers charge quickly, ensuring minimal downtime.
Q: Which tracker is better for tracking outdoor workouts?
A: The Huawei Band 2 is better for tracking outdoor workouts due to its built-in GPS, which provides accurate location tracking and detailed route maps. The Mi Band 3i lacks GPS, limiting its outdoor tracking capabilities.