Redmi Band 4 vs Xiaomi Smart Band 11: Which Fitness Band Should You Buy?

• Xiaomi Smart Band 11 is the one to get if you want the bigger, brighter screen and fuller tracking, 1.72-inch AMOLED at 2,000 nits and 150+ sports modes, from around $43 according to Gizmochina, or €60 in Europe according to GSMArena.
• Redmi Band 4 is the cheap and cheerful pick, 1.47-inch 60Hz display, 50 sports modes and up to 21 days claimed battery for around $25 according to Gizmochina, or 169 yuan in China according to GadgetsandWearables.
• Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active makes sense if you want Redmi Band 4 specs outside China, according to Androidgyaan it has the same 1.47-inch 60Hz display, 50 modes and 21-day claim and is already on sale in the Czech Republic for 699 CZK.

Want the absolute cheapest band that nails the basics, or are you willing to pay a bit more for a screen you can actually read in sun and tracking that goes deeper? Both the Redmi Band 4 and Xiaomi Smart Band 11 promise 5ATM water resistance, heart rate, SpO2, stress and sleep tracking, and up to 21 days of battery. But they aren't aimed at the same buyer. Here's where they split.

What to Look For When Buying a Fitness Band in 2026

Figure out how you'll really use it before you buy.

Display and outdoor visibility

If you glance at notifications or mid-workout stats outside, size and brightness beat resolution. A larger AMOLED that hits high peak brightness stays legible in harsh sun. A smaller TFT LCD doesn't.

Sports modes and health insights

50 modes is plenty for running, cycling and the usual gym stuff. You only need 100+ if you log a ton of different activities and want each one labelled properly. For sleep, basic tracking shows trends. HRV plus AI insights tells you more about sleep quality, if you care about that.

Battery claims vs real use

Both claim up to 21 days. That's light use, no always-on sensors. Turn on continuous heart rate, stress and sleep monitoring and you'll see closer to 8 days. Check the cell size and how Xiaomi tested it.

Smart features

Think about NFC. Need tap to pay or an access card on your wrist? Redmi Band 4 doesn't do NFC at all. Xiaomi Smart Band 11 does, but only on the NFC variant.

Xiaomi Smart Band 11: Best for Bigger Display and More Features

This is the more complete band, no contest. According to Gizmochina, you get a 1.72-inch AMOLED at 2,000 nits peak with 2mm bezels, up from 1.47 inches on the Redmi Band 4. According to GSMArena, it runs HyperOS 4 and keeps that familiar pill shape from last year. And that screen matters. Colours pop, blacks look inky, and you can read it without shading it with your hand on a run.

Training is broader too, more than 150 sports modes compared to 50 on the Redmi Band 4. Health tracking adds pro-level sleep with HRV monitoring and AI insights, alongside heart rate, SpO2, stress and women's health. Smart extras stretch further as well, music controls, payments and access cards if you pick the NFC variant, plus confirmed Android and iOS support. Both bands are 5ATM rated, so swimming is fine within the usual limits.

According to Gizmochina, Xiaomi Smart Band 11 starts from $43. According to GSMArena, it's landed in Europe at €60 for the standard model and €80 for NFC, in midnight black, glacial silver and mystic rose, with a ceramic white edition also advertised.

Pros

• 1.72-inch AMOLED at 2,000 nits, much larger and easier to see outdoors
• 150+ sports modes against 50 on Redmi Band 4
• Sleep tracking with HRV and AI insights, not just duration
• NFC variant handles contactless payments and access cards
• More strap and finish choices, including metal and ceramic editions

Cons

• Costs a lot more than Redmi Band 4
• 21-day figure is a best case, real life depends on settings
• Bigger screen won't suit you if you want something tiny

Redmi Band 4: Best Budget Pick for Essentials

This one is for keeping it cheap and simple. According to Gizmochina, it uses a 1.47-inch 60Hz display with 2.5D curved glass, a unibody build with a metal-textured frame and a vertically textured strap with a pin clasp. According to GadgetsandWearables, that panel is a TFT LCD at 172 x 320 and 450 nits, and the body is 18 grams without the strap.

You still get the core health stack, all-day heart rate and stress, SpO2, sleep and women's health, plus 50 sports modes covering running, cycling and table tennis, and 5ATM water resistance. For smarts you get notifications, alarms and watch faces, and according to Tuttotech it also does QR payments via WeChat and Alipay in China. According to GadgetsandWearables and Tuttotech, the cell is 300mAh, good for up to 21 days light use or about 8 days with regular health monitoring on. According to Gizmochina, there's no NFC.

According to Gizmochina and GadgetsandWearables, Redmi Band 4 is around $25, and according to Tuttotech it's 169 yuan in China (about €22.50). It launched in China on October 20 in black and silver.

Pros

• Cheapest band in Xiaomi's current lineup
• 60Hz display with 2.5D glass feels smooth to swipe
• All the essentials covered, heart rate, SpO2, stress, sleep
• 300mAh cell claimed up to 21 days
• 5ATM rating for swimming

Cons

• Smaller TFT LCD looks dimmer than Smart Band 11's AMOLED
• Just 50 sports modes and basic sleep tracking
• No NFC and fewer strap and smart feature options

Also Consider: Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active

Like the Redmi Band 4 but you're shopping outside China? The Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active is basically the same hardware with a different name. According to Androidgyaan, it carries the same 1.47-inch 60Hz display, same 21-day (or 8-day with typical use) claim, 50 sports modes, 5ATM rating and metallic frame with striped strap. According to Androidgyaan, it's already selling in the Czech Republic for 699 CZK, so you can skip importing the Redmi Band 4. Handy if you want the budget option with a local warranty.

Redmi Band 4 vs Xiaomi Smart Band 11: Spec Comparison

Note: Sources conflict on Redmi Band 4 display size, Gizmochina and GadgetsandWearables report 1.47 inches, while Tuttotech reports 1.41 inches.

Which Should You Buy?

Pick Xiaomi Smart Band 11 if you want the nicest screen and the widest tracking. That larger AMOLED, extra brightness and 150+ modes make it more flexible for mixed workouts and outdoor use, and the detailed sleep data is genuinely useful if you want more than hours slept.

Grab Redmi Band 4 if you want to spend the least and you're fine with core tracking. Heart rate, SpO2, stress and sleep are all there, plus 50 modes and long battery life, without paying for a bigger panel or NFC.

Outside China and after that budget experience with less hassle, Smart Band 11 Active is the one to hunt for locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Xiaomi Smart Band 11 worth the extra money over Redmi Band 4?

Yes if a larger, brighter AMOLED, 150+ sports modes and HRV sleep insights matter to you, otherwise Redmi Band 4 handles the basics for less.

Do both bands really last 21 days?

Both claim up to 21 days with light use, but Xiaomi says Redmi Band 4 falls to about 8 days with regular health monitoring on, so expect less than the max.

Can I swim with these bands?

Yes, both are rated 5ATM, so swimming and daily water exposure are fine under appropriate conditions.

Does Redmi Band 4 have NFC for payments?

No, according to Gizmochina the Redmi Band 4 does not support NFC, while Xiaomi Smart Band 11 has an NFC variant.

Should I import Redmi Band 4 or buy Smart Band 11 Active?

According to Androidgyaan the two are practically identical, so buying Smart Band 11 Active locally saves you import hassle if it's sold where you are.

Final Recommendation

India pricing wasn't detailed in the sources. But here's the thing, at around $25 the Redmi Band 4 is a steal if you just want reliable daily tracking without fuss, and at around $43 / €60 the Smart Band 11 earns its premium the moment you step outside. If you live where the Redmi isn't sold, don't overthink the import, the Active is your shortcut.

Source: this story was first reported by gizmochina.com.