Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Review: A Deep Dive into Smartwatches

Design & Screen: 1.72” game-changer

The visual leap is clear. We went from approximately 1.62” to 1.72”, with refined edges and cleaner uniformity. Result: readable notifications, readable sports stats, usable AOD. In short, it breathes. The weight remains light, the wrist grip is soft (skin-touch silicone, limited grip on the sleeves). We sometimes forgot it, for real.

Let’s talk about AOD. It did not always exist among competitors at this price. Here, he serves, period. Visible time at the office, behind the wheel (while stationary, eh), while running slowly — without lifting your wrist like a puppet. Yes, it consumes. Yes, we assume it. To place the Band 10 back in the Xiaomi galaxy, take a look at this Redmi Watch 5 Active versus Lite duel.

Solidity: the blind spot (literally)

The rounded glass gives this successful “ribbon” look. But he remains exposed, really. The bumps of the table, the friction of bags, the steel of the subway bars — it leaves a mark. We noted 2 micro-scratches in 10 days of normal use. Nothing dramatic, but it was eye-catching. Recommended film. Case if you’re the absent-minded type. Otherwise, you will complain.

Sensors, Cardio & Sleep: clean… as long as you stay calm

Cardio performed well on active walking, cycling, easy jogging (low aerobic zone). Average drift observed vs. chest belt: ~2–3 bpm continuously, ~5–7 bpm gradually increasing. Acceptable. In short intervals (30/30, 45/15), it hits the spot – latency and fanciful ceilings. Normal at this price. Those who claim otherwise are selling dreams, not data.

Sleep fell just on the large masses: falling asleep, waking up, short nocturnal awakenings. The differences with Oura/Polar remained moderate. The recovery score followed the logic: heavy day → average HRV → sluggish rating. It helps to dose without overplaying science. If you are looking for advanced segmentation and “coaching” advice, look towards more established watches – or towards cross comparisons such as argued Xiaomi versus Huawei sports watches.

Swimming: nice surprise

In the pool (25 m), swimming recognition and length counting remained stable (differences 1–2 lengths over 1,000 m if sloppy turns). Simple metrics (time, pace) were sufficient for leisure monitoring. Not a FINA counter, obviously, but “clean” to keep track. The dial remains readable underwater, the vibration feedback is shy but present.

Sports & GPS: 150+ modes, but two philosophies

The international Smart Band 10 offers its “150+” palette: running, walking, cycling, rowing, rope, HIIT, yoga, swimming, and all the folklore (dance, badminton, etc.). Automatic detection on the classics avoided forgetting a recording. Outdoors, the trajectory depended on the smartphone’s GPS — decent accuracy if your phone tracks well. Basically: it works, as long as the mobile follows.

The “Chinese version type 9 Pro renamed 10” adds a real GPS to the wrist. What does that change? Freedom. You go running without a phone, clean map on the way back, more stable pace, less zigzag distance. Not a GNSS watch at €400, but a real step forward in this range. Regular runners will feel it. The others… not sure if it’s worth the import.

Split & instant look

On international (smartphone GPS), the instantaneous pace moved too much in the undergrowth and near buildings. On “10/9 Pro GPS”, better performance, but still micro-jumps when changing pace. For a serious 30/30, stick to a belt + dedicated sports watch. Yes, I know, it’s not the same bill. That’s life.

Need a broader view before buying? Also compare with these entry/mid-range models: Redmi Watch 3 versus Amazfit Bip U Pro.

Autonomy & AOD: real figures, no cinema

Our uses, without AOD, active notifications (WhatsApp/SMS/Calls), 1 sports session/day (45–60 min), 24/7 cardio + nighttime SpO₂: 7 to 9 days on the international Smart Band 10. With AOD active 16 h/day: 3 to 5 days. Did you want honesty? So. The old 6/7/8 held up well; the 10 holds “almost the same” despite the larger screen — provided you don’t turn everything on all the way.

On the Chinese version with integrated GPS, office mix + 3 running outings (30–50 min): 4 to 6 days with GPS used 2–3 h/week. By doing 5 hours of GPS over 3 days, we went down to 2–3 days. Consistent. Nothing scandalous. And nothing magical. If extreme autonomy is your obsession, look instead at the dedicated watch side (e.g. Watch S segment), see this detailed Xiaomi Watch S4 expert review comparison.

AOD: essential or not?

Yes, AOD costs. But it changes the relationship to the bracelet. No more need for a gesture to read the time. In the office, it’s simple, it avoids looking theatrical in meetings. My advice: active AOD, auto brightness, and programmed night deactivation. We save 24–36 hours per cycle just with that.

Software, Widgets & Health: sufficient for daily use

The Xiaomi Health app remains clear: activity rings, Sport/Sleep/Stress tabs, stable sync. Readable widgets on the band, useful complications (battery, weather, calendar). We stick to speaking “scores”, without blabbering. The 7/30 day trends helped to see the days without and the days too full. Frankly, that’s enough for 90% of people.

NFC/payment? Depending on markets/versions. Do not base your purchase on this, it varies too much depending on the country/banks. Notifications? Clean, basic emojis, no romance. Quick response? Simple, effective. And if you are targeting a more “watch” model, explore this Redmi Watch 5 Active versus Lite duel to situate the ecosystem.

Quality/price: the Xiaomi DNA still holds up

No posture. The international Smart Band 10 ticks off the essentials at a price that remains low. Highly readable screen, comfort, AOD, numerous sports, decent battery. It doesn’t crush sports watches – that’s a false good idea – but it is useful every day. And that’s exactly what we’re asking of him.

The “Chinese version 10/9 Pro” pushes the cursor using GPS. Yes, we pay more. Yes, import creates a fringe of risk (after-sales service, firmware). If standalone GPS is crucial and your budget remains tight, it’s playable. Otherwise, change category/product altogether, for example to a real Xiaomi/Huawei/Garmin sports watch depending on your use, after reading this reasoned comparison of Xiaomi versus Huawei sports watches.

International vs “10/9 Pro” (GPS): which one to buy in France?

Use case 1 — Urban life, leisure sport, tight budget

Take the international Smart Band 10. Notifications, AOD, cardio OK, swimming OK, walk/run booster with phone in pocket for GPS. Untouchable quality/price ratio in this context. And you can sleep peacefully on the after-sales service side.

Use case 2 — Regular runner, without smartphone

Consider “Chinese version 10/9 Pro”. The integrated GPS changes the freedom of outing. Be careful, it’s still a bracelet: no advanced running metrics. Above all, you gain wrist autonomy and a cleaner map without a mobile phone. If you want serious VO₂max, credible training load, etc. — change range.

Use case 3 — Multi-sport + long distance autonomy

Neither. Switch to a dedicated watch. Yes, more expensive. Yes, heavier. But reliable in long charge. Before deciding, compare the ecosystem and the generations, for example via this detailed Xiaomi Watch S4 expert review comparison.

Shopping experience: simple, but protect the screen

Nothing exotic about installation: app, account, sync. The downloadable dials do the job (avoid those that are too dense). Buy a film or case from the start. The rounded screen marks too quickly, we saw it, we cursed it. For thin wrists, the 10 fits better than many watches — discreet under a shirt, suitable for sports.

Are you still hesitating between bracelet and small watch? Also read this Redmi Watch 3 versus Amazfit Bip U Pro to situate the display-function compromises.

Method, data, limits

Cardio protocol: compared to chest belt (reference) on walks/runs at Parc de la Ramée (5 km loop) + short intervals on track in the Croix-de-Pierre district. Sleep : 7 nights, wake-up/nap cross-validation. Swimming : 2 25 m pool sessions (1,000 m each). Autonomy: complete cycles 0→100% with daily logs, AOD on/off. Boundaries : firmware required to evolve; data valid on the date of the test.

For a broader overview of the range and close competitors, consult this argumentative comparison of Xiaomi versus Huawei sports watches which sets the record straight in terms of functions/durations/price.

Verdict — no frills

Yesthe international Smart Band 10 still deserves the badge “cheap connected bracelet who keeps his promises. Yesthe 1.72” screen and the AOD change daily life. Noit’s not a serious splitting tool, and the glass is too exposed. Conclusion : perfect for 80% of daily uses. The rest — Standalone GPS, advanced metrics — requires another product (or the “Chinese version 10/9 Pro” if you accept the import and its gray areas).

Clear summary

• Screen : Readable 1.72” AMOLED, useful AOD, thin edges.
• Comfort : very light, soft bracelet, discreet under shirt.
• Cardio: good in light/moderate, limited in short intervals.
• Sleep : reliable trends, alarms well detected.
• Sports: 150+, decent swimming, convenient auto detection.
• GPS: international depends on telephone; “10/9 Pro” = Integrated GPS.
• Autonomy: 7–9 d without AOD, 3–5 d with; GPS (Pro) 2–6 days depending on use.
• Solidity: exposed screen — film recommended, really.
• Quality/price: always formidable for a bracelet.
• To buy if: you want simple, reliable, inexpensive.
• Avoid if: you are looking for serious running or autonomous GPS (except Pro).