At a launch event in Shenzhen, Xiaomi has launched its flagship smartphone — Mi 8, Mi 8 SE, as well as the latest
version of its operating system, MIUI 10. Along with that, the China-based
manufacturer has also launched its next-generation fitness tracker — Mi Band 3.
The Mi Band 3 comes with a 0.78-inch OLED capacitive
touchscreen. The company says that the display is designed with an aim to offer
a better experience for viewing messages and answering calls.
The device supports many new functions compared to
the Mi Band 2. Along with the addition of viewing messages and call answering,
it can also provide weather forecast as well as an alarm clock, which can be
turned off from the touchscreen. Other features include heart rate monitor,
daily steps count and sedentary reminder as a part of the health management
functions.
The Mi Band 3 comes with water and dust resistance,
and is completely waterproof for up to 50 meters, ensuring that it works
perfectly even when the user is swimming. The company has also announced another
variant of the fitness tracker which comes with NFC support.
Earlier, there were reports suggesting that the Mi
Band 3 will come with support for a tilt-to-wake feature. However, it is not
yet confirmed if the device indeed supports such functionality.
One of the crucial thing for a wearable device is
the battery life. The Xiaomi’s newly launched Mi Band 3 comes with an improved
battery, which the company claims can last for up to 20 days on a single
charge.
The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 has been priced at 169 Yuan,
which roughly converts to $26. The NFC variant of the fitness tracker, which is
named Mi Band 3 (NFC) is priced at 199 Yuan, which is roughly US$ 31. It will be
available in three color options — Black, Red, and Blue.
While the company has not revealed when the device
will go on sale, we expect it to be available in China in the coming days.
Currently, there is no information about Mi Band 3’s availability in other
regions.
