Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro in the test: One of the best fitness trackers

Xiaomi has equipped the Smart Band 10 Pro with GPS, an improved display and a practical innovation – we tested the tracker

When Xiaomi relaunches a fitness tracker, the innovations compared to its predecessor are usually manageable. However, the manufacturer has made a few adjustments to the Smart Band 10 Pro that can also make the purchase interesting for owners of the previous version. The Smart Band 10 Pro offers the usual simple design, a brighter display, integrated GPS and the option of connecting the tracker to two smartphones at the same time. Our test shows how well the device performs in practice.

At first glance, the new Smart Band 10 Pro does not differ from the previous model, the Smart Band 9 Pro. Xiaomi is once again relying on the usual rectangular design, which exudes subtle elegance. The tracker’s housing is made of aluminum, while thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is used for the bracelet. Xiaomi sells the Smart Band 10 Pro in black, pink and silver. There is also a special version with a white ceramic case and a fluoro rubber bracelet, which costs an additional 20 euros compared to the standard version.

Xiaomi claims a water resistance of 5 bar for the Smart Band 10 Pro, which means the tracker can withstand pressure in a water column of up to 50 m. Like the previous model, we can use the Smart Band 10 Pro for swimming in shallow water and wear it in the shower.

Xiaomi has once again done a great job when it comes to wearing comfort: With a weight of 21.6 g without the bracelet (or 28.7 g in the ceramic version), the Smart Band 10 Pro is even lighter than its predecessor at 24.5 g. As a result, we practically don’t feel the tracker on our wrist at all. Xiaomi has also made at least some improvements to the bracelet: the push-button clasp is still there, but at least there is now a sliding loop through which we can slide the bracelet. The locking mechanism is therefore less fiddly than before.

The AMOLED display on the Smart Band 10 Pro is 1.74 inches and has a resolution of 480 × 336 pixels, identical to that of the previous model. However, Xiaomi has adjusted the brightness: While the Smart Band 9 Pro managed a maximum of 1200 nits, this value for the Smart Band 10 Pro is now 2000 nits. This ensures even better readability of the display, which had no problems with direct sunlight in the test. There is automatic adjustment for the brightness and a special sunlight mode, although the latter comes at the expense of battery life. Alternatively, we can also adjust the brightness manually. An always-on function is also available.

As with the previous model, we also install the Mi Fitness app for the Smart Band 10 Pro and pair the tracker with our smartphone via Bluetooth. The following applies: A user account is not required, but it helps to transfer existing data to other devices. The setup itself only takes a few minutes. We are then given a short guide on how to use the tracker.

Just like with the Smart Band 9 Pro, Xiaomi also does without a control button on the housing of the Smart Band 10 Pro. It is controlled exclusively via the touch display using swipe gestures. For the most part, it worked perfectly in the test. The screen responds quickly and reliably to our input. We didn’t notice any stutters or delays. The display only has problems for a short time with slightly dirty fingers.

As with the Smart Band 9 Pro, Xiaomi once again makes full use of the Smart Band 10 Pro when selecting training profiles. The tracker offers a selection of more than 150 different sports profiles, divided into different categories such as outdoor activities, ball sports, water sports or training. Positive: The individual profiles sometimes offer useful additional functions: When swimming in the pool, we can adjust the length of the lane to record the distance swum, while when jumping rope, the jumps completed are counted. The function of defining individual rounds or sets for different sports is also useful. A warm-up program is also available before each training session and is shown on the display.

Endurance athletes such as runners and cyclists also benefit from specific data sets such as pace, ground contact time, step frequency and height difference. The selection of measured values ​​is fine, but we would have liked a few additional data (e.g. climbs or altitude meters), especially when cycling. But passionate cyclists usually use a dedicated cycling computer rather than a fitness tracker for training anyway, so this deficiency is bearable.

The heart of the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro is of course the optical heart rate sensor. The manufacturer is explicitly advertising a new PPG module that is intended to offer greater accuracy than the previous model. Xiaomi has installed two LEDs and two PD sensors in both trackers, but the modules differ in structure. On the Smart Band 9 Pro, the sensors are arranged in a circle opposite the LEDs, while on the Smart Band 10 Pro they are arranged diagonally.

It is difficult to understand whether adjusting the sensor really improves accuracy. Because we have already been able to certify that the Smart Band 9 Pro has a high level of accuracy when measuring the pulse. The successor model also does an excellent job. The heart rate measurement works excellently and, compared to a chest strap, produces only minimal inaccuracies when the pulse fluctuates greatly. During HIIT training, the deviations were in the range of up to three beats per minute.

Xiaomi also promises greater accuracy for GPS tracking of routes taken. As with its predecessor, in addition to GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou and QZSS are also supported. To check how accurately the Smart Band 10 Pro really works, we tried it out while running with a Garmin Fenix ​​7. The result: The accuracy is slightly lower than with the Garmin, but the deviations are negligible and are limited to a few meters in the double-digit range over 20 km.

The Smart Band 10 Pro does not offer a navigation feature with turn-by-turn directions, but you cannot expect such a feature from a fitness tracker.

Xiaomi’s fitness trackers have always been among the devices that offer quite detailed sleep analysis. The Smart Band 10 Pro is no exception and relies on Xiaomi’s in-house sleep algorithm. The tracker measures when you fall asleep and wake up, sleep duration, sleep phases, blood oxygen saturation and breathing. After each night, the algorithm evaluates our sleep, and we can read a detailed interpretation of the data in the app. The software also suggests how we can improve our sleep.

Anyone who records their own sleep with the Smart Band 10 Pro for at least seven days will be assigned a sleeping animal. This then leads to conclusions about our own sleeping habits: koala bears, for example, stay awake for a long time, but sleep very soundly once they fall asleep. Sharks, on the other hand, sleep little and go to bed late. If you want, you can also start a plan to improve your sleep in the Mi Fitness app, which then includes specific tips such as exercise or going to bed on time. Most of these tips don’t contain any new insights, but they can help establish a healthy sleep routine.

In addition to pulse measurement, other health functions include recording blood oxygen saturation, skin temperature, stress level and blood pressure. This all works without any problems in the test and the tracker consistently delivers credible results. Finally, women can also rely on cycle tracking, which allows them to predict the start of their next period as well as fertile days and ovulation. Unfortunately, this function is limited to just a calendar. There is no way to record your own body temperature, additional symptoms, or the condition of your cervical mucus. However, everyone who buys a Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro gets free three-month access to the cycle tracking app Clue Plus.

The selection of additional features on the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro is not very extensive, but it still has a highlight to offer. Because the tracker supports the simultaneous synchronization of messages on two smartphones. This feature is particularly useful for people who use a personal and a work cell phone. However, there is an important catch: parallel synchronization only works with Xiaomi smartphones including Xiaomi Hyper OS 3 or higher and iPhones with iOS 14 or higher. Devices from other manufacturers are left out. By the way, we have to completely do without functions such as contactless payment via NFC or integrated music storage with the Smart Band 10 Pro.

According to Xiaomi, the battery of the Smart Band 10 Pro lasts up to 21 days – a figure that is on par with its predecessor, which promises the same runtime. In the test with automatic brightness control, deactivated always-on display, active notifications and three hour-and-a-half workouts per week, we lasted almost 17 days – an excellent value for a fitness tracker.

Xiaomi’s recommended retail price for the Smart Band 10 Pro is 80 euros in the standard version, and 100 euros for the ceramic model. The street price for the normal model is around 72 euros, the ceramic version costs 89 Euro. In terms of price, the Smart Band 10 Pro can be compared with the Huawei Band 11 Pro, some of which are available for around 50 euros.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro offers a few new features compared to the previous model, but in our opinion not enough to justify a purchase. The Smart Band 9 Pro was already so convincing in terms of display brightness and the accuracy of the heart rate measurement that improvements in this regard in the Smart Band 10 Pro don’t really have a noticeable impact.

The one really notable innovation, namely the ability to link two smartphones to the tracker at the same time, suffers from its limited usability. Otherwise, the Smart Band 10 Pro is not a bad fitness tracker, but it has to compete with strong competition. The Huawei Band 11 Pro in particular is currently the better choice in terms of price and features.