Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Glimmer Edition Review

The Xiaomi Good Band 10 has been out there for round 3 months, however Xiaomi just lately introduced the Glimmer Version, which upgrades the strap with a metallic bracelet embedded with 6 glass crystals, delivering a mix of shine and texture.

As all the time, the Good Band 10 might be the most effective reasonably priced health tracker available on the market, and the Glimmer Version supplies a singular promoting level that competing manufacturers lack, with it trying extra like a bit of jewelry than a sensible band.

Associated Critiques

Xiaomi Good Band 10 vs Good Band 9 Specification

Key Variations – Good Band 10 Glimmer Version vs Good Band 9

• Show Dimension and Brightness: The Band 10 Glimmer Version has a bigger 1.72-inch AMOLED show with as much as 1500 nits brightness, in comparison with the Band 9’s 1.62-inch AMOLED at 1200 nits.
• Decision: Greater decision on the Band 10 at 212 × 520 pixels versus 192 × 490 pixels on the Band 9.
• Sensors: The Band 10 provides an digital compass, which isn’t current on the Band 9. This sensor supplies directional data, which will be helpful for sure outside actions when paired with a telephone for mapping. The 9 doesn’t listing pulse oz on the spec sheet, however does on the primary web page.
• Connectivity: The Band 10 makes use of Bluetooth 5.4, whereas the Band 9 doesn’t specify its Bluetooth model.
• Supplies: The Band 10 Glimmer Version options an aluminium alloy body with a stainless-steel and glass crystal strap, whereas the Band 9 makes use of a TPU strap.
• Wrist Circumference Vary: The Band 10 Glimmer Version suits 135–180 mm wrists, whereas the Band 9 helps a wider vary of 135–210 mm.
• Working System Compatibility: The Band 10 requires iOS 14.0 or above, whereas the Band 9 helps iOS 12.0 or above.

General, the primary distinction is the bigger, brighter show and digital compass; past that, they look like functionally the identical.

Unboxing / Design

The Glimmer Version I used to be despatched options a stainless-steel strap with six embedded glass crystals. It’s undeniably extra enticing than the usual rubber strap, and provides the band a jewellery-like high quality that’s unusual at this worth level. The metallic feels strong, although it’s noticeably heavier than the fluororubber various. The common aluminium alloy model weighs simply 16.25g with out the strap, however when you add the metallic bracelet, the general weight will increase considerably. It’s nonetheless gentle sufficient for all-day put on, however you’ll discover it greater than an ordinary health band.

One factor value mentioning is that the Glimmer Version strap solely suits wrists between 135mm and 180mm. That could be a narrower vary than the usual TPU straps, which accommodate 135mm to 210mm. You probably have bigger wrists, you might be higher off sticking with the rubber variations or taking a look at different strap choices.

There’s additionally a Ceramic Version out there in pearl white, which weighs 26g by itself and 44g with the fluororubber strap. It appears to be like gorgeous and has a premium end that rivals gadgets costing way more, however the added weight is noticeable. I’ve not examined this model myself, however opinions counsel it holds up effectively to every day put on and rinses clear simply after dusty or sweaty actions.

As for the underlying Good Band 10, the show is the place a lot of the updates have landed. At 1.72 inches, the AMOLED display is noticeably bigger than the 1.62-inch panel on the Band 9, because of symmetrical 2.0mm bezels throughout. The screen-to-body ratio has jumped from 66% to 73%, which makes an actual distinction when studying notifications or checking exercise stats. The pixel density is available in at 326 PPI, which is sharp sufficient that textual content stays crisp and legible. I discovered the 60Hz refresh price retains all the pieces feeling clean with out introducing lag or stutter.

Brightness has been bumped to 1500 nits in Excessive Brightness Mode, a 25% improve over the earlier technology. In follow, this implies the show stays completely readable in direct daylight. I examined it on a number of vibrant summer season days and by no means as soon as needed to defend the display or squint to see what was on it. The auto-brightness adjustment works effectively sufficient that I left it enabled all through testing.

Mi Health App

All knowledge collected by the Good Band 10 syncs to the Mi Health utility, which is out there for each Android and iOS. The app serves because the command centre for the system. It’s the place customers can view detailed historic knowledge on their well being and exercise metrics, corresponding to every day steps, sleep patterns, coronary heart price tendencies, and blood oxygen ranges.

The appliance additionally handles all system settings. Customers can customise which apps ship notifications to the band, set alarms, configure well being monitoring frequency, and handle different system preferences. A key characteristic managed by way of the app is the watch face gallery. It affords a wide array of designs, permitting customers to personalise the look of the show to match their type or prioritise sure knowledge factors. The band’s compatibility requires Android 8.0 or iOS 14.0 and above, so customers with older gadgets ought to confirm their working system model.

Well being Monitoring

The Band 10 consists of steady coronary heart price monitoring, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, stress monitoring, sleep evaluation, and ladies’s well being monitoring. The optical coronary heart price sensor has been up to date for this technology, and the development in accuracy is instantly noticeable in comparison with older fashions.

Like all wrist-based coronary heart price screens, it may nonetheless be liable to inaccuracies.

I in contrast the Band 10’s coronary heart price readings in opposition to a Garmin chest strap throughout a number of exercises, and it carried out admirably. Throughout steady-state actions like jogging or biking, the Band 10 tracked almost similar common coronary heart charges to the chest strap, staying inside 5-8 beats per minute more often than not. That’s greater than acceptable for common health monitoring and effectively throughout the margin I might count on from an reasonably priced wrist-based sensor.

Nonetheless, accuracy did drop off throughout high-intensity interval coaching, significantly when utilizing the magnetic strap, which doesn’t present as tight a match because the rubber variations. The looser match meant the sensor sometimes misplaced contact with my pores and skin, resulting in temporary spikes or dips within the recorded knowledge. It is a frequent subject with wrist-based coronary heart price screens, however it’s value noting should you plan to do numerous high-intensity work with the metallic strap.

SpO2 readings have been correct when in comparison with a devoted pulse oximeter, with solely minor deviations. The Band 10 can measure SpO2 on demand or constantly all through the day should you allow all-day monitoring, although this may scale back battery life.

Sleep monitoring is respectable sufficient, although I discover monitoring between manufacturers is all the time inconsistent. It appears to align with the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm, and you may allow superior metrics. In comparison with my Garmin, and Withings sleep matt, the end result will be completely different, however that can also be true for my Garmin vs Withings.

Stress monitoring works effectively sufficient. The Band 10 makes use of coronary heart price variability to estimate your stress ranges all through the day and can immediate you to take respiratory workout routines if it detects elevated stress. It’s not a medical-grade device, however it’s helpful as a common wellness indicator.

Health Monitoring

Xiaomi claims the Band 10 helps over 150 sports activities modes, which matches the Band 9 Professional. Six of those modes have computerized detection, together with strolling, operating, biking, and swimming. The auto-detection labored reliably throughout my testing, selecting up runs and walks inside a minute or two of beginning.

The Band 10 introduces guided operating programs for the primary time. These are pre-programmed exercises with primary and superior choices that embrace interval breakdowns. You’ll be able to select from newbie and superior classes aimed toward enhancing endurance, dash instances, and lung capability. They aren’t as refined as what you’ll get from a Garmin or Polar system, however they add construction and selection for informal runners. I discovered the Superior Interval Run session genuinely difficult and appreciated the real-time tempo and energy suggestions.

Metrics like VO2 max, coaching load, and restoration time are all tracked and offered within the Mi Health app. These offer you a high-level view of your health progress and assist contextualise your exercise ranges. They’re helpful for monitoring tendencies over time, although they lack the depth and granularity of costlier gadgets.

Swimming monitoring has acquired a notable improve. Xiaomi claims 96% accuracy for lap counting, because of an upgraded nine-axis sensor and AI-enhanced stroke recognition. For the primary time, the Band 10 additionally helps real-time coronary heart price monitoring whereas swimming, which is a uncommon characteristic at this worth level. I examined this within the pool and located lap counting to be correct, although I didn’t have a reference system to match coronary heart price knowledge in opposition to.

The Band 10 is rated 5ATM waterproof, which implies it may deal with depths of as much as 50 metres. It’s advantageous for pool swimming and shallow water actions, however Xiaomi recommends in opposition to sporting it in sizzling showers, saunas, or throughout fast-paced water sports activities. The leather-based, silk, magnetic, and metallic straps shouldn’t be worn whereas swimming or exercising, so you will want to modify to a rubber strap for these actions.

One characteristic that stood out is coronary heart price broadcasting. The Band 10 can transmit real-time coronary heart price knowledge by way of Bluetooth to appropriate biking apps and gear. I paired it with a biking app, and it labored similar to a chest strap, sending stay knowledge that the app used to calculate depth zones. It’s a area of interest characteristic, however genuinely helpful for anybody who trains with coronary heart price zones and doesn’t wish to put money into a separate chest strap.

The most important omission right here is the dearth of built-in GPS. If you wish to monitor outside runs, rides, or hikes with route knowledge, you will want to carry your telephone. Whereas that is disappointing, there usually are not actually every other competing choices with GPS at this worth level, aside from the Good Band 9 Professional, which has barely completely different aesthetic.

Good Watch Options

Past well being and health, the Good Band 10 supplies a number of good options. When related to a smartphone by way of Bluetooth 5.4, it may obtain and show notifications for calls, textual content messages, and numerous functions. The linear haptic motor supplies distinct vibrations for these alerts.

It additionally affords primary utility capabilities immediately on the wrist. These usually embrace music playback management for the related telephone, climate forecasts, alarms, a stopwatch, and a timer. A ‘discover my telephone’ characteristic can set off a sound on the paired smartphone, serving to to find it when close by. These options present a level of comfort, permitting customers to handle easy duties with out reaching for his or her telephone.

Battery Life

Battery efficiency is a standard power of Xiaomi’s good bands. The Good Band 10 comprises a 233 mAh battery, which the corporate claims can final for as much as 21 days with typical utilization. This ‘typical utilization’ state of affairs typically entails default settings with options like steady, high-frequency coronary heart price monitoring and always-on show turned off.

Activating extra demanding options will scale back the battery life. As an illustration, setting coronary heart price monitoring to its most frequent interval, enabling steady SpO2 monitoring throughout sleep, and utilizing a excessive display brightness stage will lead to a extra frequent have to cost. The charging course of itself is handy, utilizing a magnetic cable that snaps onto the again of the system. A full cost takes roughly one hour.

Worth and Various Choices

The Xiaomi Good Band 10 begins at £40 for the fashions with a rubber strap. Then the Glimmer Version I used to be despatched is £70, so you might be paying a £30 premium for the strap, which is dear, however there usually are not many good bands that seem like jewelry. Then there’s a Ceramic Version in pearl white, which is £55.

Amazon is already discounting the fashions with the rubber straps, and on the time of writing it was £34

The earlier technology was £35, however I can see it out there on Amazon or Mi.com.

The Good Band 9 Lively is on Amazon for simply £20, however it isn’t probably the most enticing as it’s designed to be sturdy and reasonably priced.

I’d argue that the Good Band 9 Professional is the most effective various. You’ll be able to choose this up on Amazon for simply £45, it appears to be like extra like a standard watch with its bigger rectangular show, so it’s not corresponding to the Glimmer Version by way of look, however the primary profit is the built-in GPS.

Huawei has the Band 10, which is £50 or £60 for the Aluminium physique variant. It has some further options like sleep HRV, however they don’t have a mannequin with the identical kind of aesthetic as this Glimmer Version.

General

The Xiaomi Good Band 10 Glimmer Version is a product centered on a selected consumer. Its main distinction is its design. It efficiently transforms a succesful health tracker into an adjunct that may be worn in additional formal or fashion-conscious settings with out trying misplaced. The bigger, brighter, and higher-resolution AMOLED display is a welcome technical enchancment, as is the addition of an digital compass.

Nonetheless, these upgrades include compromises. The £70 price ticket locations it in a aggressive bracket, and the £30 premium over the usual mannequin is totally for the beauty improve. The metallic strap, whereas elegant, has a extra restricted match vary and will not be supreme for sleeping or intense exercises.

For customers who prioritise aesthetics and need a well being tracker that doubles as a gorgeous wrist accent, the Glimmer Version is a singular possibility. For many who are extra involved with health options and worth, the usual Good Band 10 or the GPS-equipped Good Band 9 Professional supply a extra sensible and reasonably priced alternative.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Enthusiastic about all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and good house gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to carry a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the newest tech tendencies.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Programs Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior examine additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with partaking and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-10-15 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API