The market for low-priced activity bracelets has long been dominated by the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and its earlier versions. However, the appearance of the OnePlus band has brought a genuine rivalry to the table that's revolutionizing the range of affordable fitness-tracking wearables. If you're looking for a complete and affordable smartband, you'll want to compare both models in detail to find out which one best suits your needs.
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 vs OnePlus Band: complete comparison
Design and display
Both bracelets offer a sporty and compact design, with a capsule-like format that fits into an adjustable and interchangeable silicone strap. Although the aesthetics are similar, the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 features more rounded lines at the ends, while the OnePlus Band has a slightly more rectangular shape with discreet bezels.
With regards to screen, both the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and the OnePlus Band integrate a 1,1-inch color AMOLED panel with a resolution of 126x294 pixels. This translates into sharp images, vibrant colors, and good brightness even in bright daylight. The touch experience is fluid on both, allowing you to navigate between functions and notifications with ease. The build quality is good on both bands, with a durable construction that withstands daily use and provides basic protection against bumps or scratches.
The strap, made of silicone, is comfortable to wear all day and withstand intense workouts. Both smartbands offer a variety of colors and the ability to interchange straps to customize your look.
Water resistance and sports
A key aspect of fitness trackers is water resistance. Both the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and the OnePlus Band are certified. 5 ATM, which guarantees immersion resistance up to 50 meters. This means you can use them without any problems at the beach, in the pool, in the shower, or while practicing water sports like swimming.
In relation to sports modes, both of which allow you to monitor a wide variety of activities. The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 integrates 11 sports modes, covering everything from running, cycling, hiking, yoga, swimming, jumping rope, and other popular sports. The OnePlus Band, on the other hand, incorporates 13 exercise modes, expanding the range and adapting to all types of fitness routines. Among them are cricket and free exercises, highly appreciated by users looking for a more specific offering.
Advanced sensors and features
- Heart rate monitoring: Both devices allow heart rate to be measured in real time 24 hours a day, helping to monitor exercise intensity and provide alerts for abnormal values.
- Sleep tracking: Both bands analyze the different stages of sleep (light, deep, and REM), helping you improve the quality of your rest. They also include automatic sleep onset and end detection, with comprehensive reports in the app.
- SpO2 and blood oxygen: Here the OnePlus Band makes the difference, incorporating blood oxygen sensor (SpO2)This feature is key for athletes, people with respiratory problems, or those looking for additional information about their health throughout the day and night. Although this option isn't present in the Xiaomi Mi Band 5, it is available in later versions.
- Menstrual cycle and stress monitoring: The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 adds menstrual cycle and stress level tracking, very useful for those looking to monitor these aspects from their wrist. The OnePlus Band, for now, doesn't have these specific features.
Both smartbands allow you to control music on your smartphone, receive call and message notifications, use the watch as a remote camera shutter, and activate inactivity reminders to encourage healthy habits.
Autonomy and charging
Autonomy has always been one of the differentiating keys in Xiaomi bracelets, and in this case the Mi Band 5 integrates a 125 mAh battery, while the OnePlus Band includes a 100 mAh battery.
However, both manufacturers assure up to two weeks of use on a single charge under standard usage conditions (active notifications, daily monitoring, multiple workouts per week, etc.). The exact duration may vary depending on enabled features and frequency of sensor use.
The charging system differs for each model. The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 uses magnetic charger, which is very simple and fast because you don't have to remove the module from the strap, just bring the magnetic base close to the back of the bracelet. In contrast, the OnePlus Band uses a small dongle with USB-A connection which is connected by means of rear pins, although it is not necessary to remove the capsule from the strap to recharge it.
Software, compatibility and user experience
User experience and personalization These are factors that can tip the balance. The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 stands out by having the app Mi Fit/Zepp Life, extensively refined and updated, available for Android and iOS. It offers detailed reporting, access to a huge user community, the ability to customize watch faces, integration with Google Fit and Apple Health, as well as robust support and frequent updates. If you'd like to expand your knowledge on how to get the most out of your band, you can also check out our exercise guide to do at home.
For its part, the OnePlus Band uses the app One Plus Health, which can also be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store. It's compatible with Android versions 6.0 and higher, and recently also offers support for iOS. While the app is modern and intuitive, it still has room for improvement to match the maturity of Xiaomi's platform.
In both cases, the display of app notifications, calls, messages, and health data is effective and configurable from the app. Additionally, both bands can receive OTA updates that add new features and improve performance.
Other relevant features
- Shock and scratch resistance: Both smartbands incorporate protective glass and a resistant polymer body.
- Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer on both models and optical heart rate sensor. The OnePlus Band adds an SpO2 meter.
- NFC and GPS: Neither the global versions of the Mi Band 5 nor the OnePlus Band have built-in NFC or GPS. NFC was only available on the Chinese version of the Mi Band 5.
- Remote camera and music control: Present in both, it allows greater comfort when taking photos or playing music during training.
- Zen mode: The OnePlus Band adds synchronization with the Zen mode of OnePlus phones, providing tools to relax and disconnect.
Availability and price
One of the determining aspects in the purchase decision is the availability. The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 can be easily purchased almost anywhere in the world., including Spain and Latin America, through physical stores, Amazon, and authorized distributors, usually with prices between 30 and 35 euros. For other options, it may also be helpful to consult our comparison of smartband models.
Instead, the OnePlus Band is primarily targeted at the Asian market, currently sold in India and, in some cases, imported to Europe through specialized websites. Its launch price is around €27-30, placing it in a very similar range to Xiaomi's. If you're looking for immediate availability and local support, the Mi Band 5 is the simplest option.
Both bands represent excellent options in the budget range of fitness and health wearables. The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 stands out in terms of software maturity, battery life, and user community, while the OnePlus Band offers the added appeal of the SpO2 sensor and an equally robust and customizable design. The choice between the two will depend on your priorities: if you're looking for a well-established experience, numerous extra features, and easy purchase, Xiaomi remains the benchmark; if blood oxygen monitoring and a slightly different design are essential for you, the OnePlus Band is a very worthwhile alternative. Both offer an almost unbeatable price-performance ratio in their segment.
