According to data compiled by the International Data Corporation (IDC), Xiaomi became the top wearable seller in the first quarter of 2017. The Chinese giant had trumped Apple and Fitbit in the fight for the top spot, thanks to its affordable Mi fitness bands.
This popularity has since declined as Xiaomi hasn’t released a hardware upgrade to its Mi fitness bands in over a year. The Mi Band 2, which still sells by the boatload, was launched in mid-2016, so there’s a desperate need for a new fitness band. And we are going to get one very soon.
After a successful listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Xiaomi’s wearables partner Huami has confirmed that Xiaomi’s Mi Band 3 is due to launch later in 2018. Yes, you read that right, the Mi Band 3 is coming this year itself. Finally!!
Talking about its partnership with Xiaomi, Huang Wang, the founder and CEO of Huami Technology said (loosely translated from Chinese):
Xiaomi is Huami’s second-largest shareholder and Huami will make good use of Xiaomi’s platform and resources. This year, there will surely be a Mi Band 3 [and this] follow-up will [be developed] more in-depth cooperation with Xiaomi.
Mi Band 3 Leaks and Rumors
According to the rumor mill, Xiaomi Mi Band 3 (rumored model number XMSH05H) has already secured Bluetooth certification. This assures us that the fitness band is already under development and should be ready for the spotlight very soon.
Just like the previous Mi Band releases, the upcoming one will also sport a tiny screen, an OLED panel, for showing the time, notifications, step count, and heart rate. It will feature Bluetooth 4.2+LE connectivity, as per the certification, and come with a bunch of sensors as well.
There’s not much known about the Mi Band 3 at this instant, however, you’ll still be able to use it with both Android and iOS devices. It would most likely not bring along new premium features such as LTE or GPS, which can drive up the costs because Xiaomi will still plan to capture the interest of the masses with its affordable and functional offering. So, what are your expectations from the Mi Band 3? Let us know in the comments down below.
