The newly released Mi Band 5 despite coming with additional features remains very cheap just like its predecessors. It succeeds Mi Band 4, and now has a larger and brighter display, more fitness tracking features, longer battery life, and more watch faces, while Fitbit Charge 3 which is a fitness-focused wearable tech is also loaded with many fitness tracking features that are similar to Mi Band 5. This comparison post compares the differences between Mi Band 5 vs Fitbit Charge 3 to help you decide which is a better choice.
Table of Contents
Mi Band 5 vs Fitbit Charge 3 Full Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Mi Band 5 Full Specifications, Features and Prices |
 Fitbit Charge 3 Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $32.27 | $124.00 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Mi Band 5 | Fitbit Charge 3 |
| Device type | Fitness smartband | Fitness smartband |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Release date | June, 2020 | August, 2018 |
| Predecessor | Mi Band 4 | Fitbit Charge 2 |
| Successor | — | Fitbit Charge 4 |
| Versions | Mi Band 5 NFC version | Fitbit Charge 3 (special edition) |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 46.95 x 18.15 x 12.45 mm | 38 x 18.3 x 11.8 mm |
| Weight | 11.9 grams (excluding straps) | 30 grams |
| Shape | Curved, Rectangular | Rectangular |
| Case material | Polycarbonate | Plastic Resin |
| Strap material | TPU | Elastomer, Polyester |
| Bezel material | 2.5D Tempered Glass, Bezeless | Plastic Resin |
| Strap size | 155 – 216 mm | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) |
| Screen protection | Anti-scracth glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | — | — |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black, Mint green, Navy blue, Orange, Teal, Yellow | Black, Lavender, White |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.1 inches | 1.57 inches |
| Display type | 450nits, AMOLED, Full color | Monochromic, OLED |
| Display resolution | 294 x 126 pixel | — |
| Pixel density | — | — |
| Always on | No | No |
| Custom watch face | 100+, Yes | Yes |
| Input type | Touchkey, Touchscreen | 1 Physical button, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | Bluetooth v4.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No |
| GPS | (connected GPS), No | (connected GPS), No |
| NFC | (China only), (special edition), Yes | (special edition), Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | 0.5MB | — |
| ROM | 16MB | — |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| Band | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | No | No |
| Bluetooth music | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | No |
| Microphone | MEMS microphone | No |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | No | Yes |
| Ambient light | No | No |
| Barometer | No | — |
| Compass | No | — |
| ECG | No | No |
| Gyroscope | Yes | — |
| HRM | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse oximeter | — | Yes |
| Thermometer | No | No |
| Other sensors | — | Vibration motor |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | No | Yes |
| Blood Pressure | No | No |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | No |
| Fitness Level | No | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Incidental fall detection | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | No | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-heart tracking | No | No |
| On-screen workout | No | No |
| Sport modes | 11 | 15 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | 125mAh | — |
| Battery life | Continous usage: 14 days, Regular: 20 days | Regular: 7 days+, Standby:10 days+ |
| Charging type | Magnetic charger | Charging dock |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 2hrs |
| Solar power | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | — | — |
| CPU | — | — |
| GPU | — | — |
| Operating system | Proprietary OS | Fitbit OS |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Mi Fit | Fitbit App |
| Compatibility | Android 4.4+, iOS 9.0+ | Android, iOS |
| Payment system | Alipay, Union Pay | Fitbit Pay |
| Interchangeable strap | Yes | Yes |
| Voice command | XiaoAI, Yes | No |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Manual, Mi Band 5, Straps | Charger, Fitbit Charge 3, Manual, Straps |
| Price | $32.27 | $124.00 |
Which is Better?
Starting with the body materials, its same thermoplastic materials; resin for Charge 3 and polycarbonate for Mi Band 5, and straps are made from soft silicone, elastomer, and TPU materials. Although Charge 3 has a larger 1.57 inches display, Mi Band 5 has a richer and more colorful AMOLED display and is also more compact. In terms of design, it’s squared.
Both smartbands will track your steps, distance, calories, sleep, heart rate, and more. Both also can connect to your phone GPS to enable tracking for outdoor activities as well as features preset workout modes of which Charge 3 offers more, 20 compared to 11. Charge 3 also can count floors climbed which Mi Band 5 lacks. So, I think Charge 3 is a more comprehensive fitness tracker.
Mi Band 5 has a longer battery life, while you can get up to 6 days with Charge 3, its about 20 days with Mi Band 5 and 14 days with continuous tracking.
VERDICT: I’ll go with Mi Band 5, it’s cheaper, has a richer display, and a comprehensive fitness tracker with longer battery life. However, if you want more fitness features, Charge 3 is a better choice.
![[BT 5.0]Original Xiaomi Mi band 5 1.1 Inch AMOLED Wristband Customized Watch Face 11 Sport Modes Tracker Smart Watch Global Version](https://imgaz3.staticbg.com/thumb/large/oaupload/banggood/images/83/25/1998f754-c4d1-4775-b55c-2100167f1b71.jpg)
