Xiaomi Mi Band 5 to have larger screen, global NFC support: Report

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 to have larger screen, global NFC support: Report
HIGHLIGHTS

The Mi Band 5 is reported to come with a larger screen than its predecessor

It is also reported to have global NFC-based support for Google Pay

The Mi Band 5 is expected to be launched in June in China

If you've been on the fence about getting the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 because it doesn't have NFC-based payment support outside China, then you might want to wait for the next model. According to a report by TizenHelp, the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 will feature NFC globally for tap-and-pay transactions with support for apps like Google Pay. What's more, it will feature a larger screen than its predecessor. Xiaomi is expected to launch the Mi Band 5 first in its home country of China in June this year, followed by other markets like India.

The outgoing Xiaomi Mi Band 4 supports NFC-based transactions but only in China. According to the report, Xiaomi will enable NFC in the global version of the Mi Band 5, which should allow the user to authorise payment apps such as Google Pay to carry out tap-and-pay transactions at supported check-out counters. In addition, the Mi Band 5 is reported to get a larger 1.2-inch AMOLED colour touchscreen panel with increased contrast, which should improve legibility of text under direct sunlight.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 (aka Mi Smart Band 4), which is currently on sale in India for Rs 2,299, features a 0.95-inch AMOLED colour touchscreen panel with a resolution of 120 x 240 pixels and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. It's powered by a 135mAh rechargeable battery, which Xiaomi claims is good for up to 20 days of continuous use. The band is water-resistant for up to 50 metres and equipped to recognise strokes while swimming. It also comes with an inbuilt heart monitor.

The Mi Band series of smart wearables is easily one of Xiaomi's biggest hits across the globe. Since the launch of the original Mi Band in July 2014, the series has been receiving new features and improvements with each passing model. Xiaomi recently introduced the more affordable Mi Smart Band 3i in India at Rs 1,299 to serve as a replacement to the equally popular Mi Band HRX Edition. Compared to the Mi Band 4, the Mi Smart Band 3i sports a smaller 0.78-inch monochrome AMOLED display with a maximum brightness of 300 nits. Sadly, it lets the heart monitor go to stay wallet-friendly. Read more about it here.

Vignesh Giridharan

Vignesh Giridharan

Progressively identifies more with the term ‘legacy device’ as time marches on. View Full Profile

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