Over the last few years, Xiaomi has become a pretty serious player in the world of wearable devices. The company just announced the Xiaomi Mi Band 6, and it's clearly looking to build on the reputation it has built through devices like the Mi Band 5 and its other successful wearables.

The wearable comes with all sorts of features you'd expect to see from a far more expensive device, but at a fraction of the cost.

What Does the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 Offer?

There are a few big changes the Mi Band 6 brings to the table. The screen is quite a bit larger, coming in at 1.56-inches. That's a pretty big jump compared to last year's Mi Band 5, which offered a 1.1-inch AMOLED display. The screen features a pixel density of 326 PPI, which is quite solid for such a tiny display.

As the screen is larger with a higher pixel density, Xiaomi is invigorating the interface and adding new default watch faces that'll better take advantage of the extra space and resolution. This should make using the device more pleasant.

The $35 band features a GPS sensor that will help you keep track of your walking, running, biking, and other movement-based exercises. Of course, those aren't the only types of workouts offered, as the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 comes with 30 different workout modes covering all sorts of sports and activities.

Xiaomi also offers blood oxygen (SPO2) sensing, which is a nice feature to have but not necessarily a trait that should be used for actual medical purposes.

Interestingly, the device comes with NFC in China and without NFC in the rest of the world. The battery life varies between the two models. The NFC version will last around 14 days, and the non-NFC version lasts around 20 days. That's impressive battery life, and it'll come in handy for taking advantage of those sleep-tracking features. Even if you don't get the full advertised lifespan, you should be able to get by with a charge once or twice a month.

Speaking of sleep tracking, Xiaomi offers advanced sleep tracking that measures both REM and breathing quality during those moments of slumber. If you're curious about how well you're actually sleeping each night, this fitness band might be perfect for you.

Xiaomi Mi Band 6 Availability

The wearable Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is available in China and Europe at launch. In China, both NFC and non-NFC versions are available. The base version sells for RMB229 ($35), and the NFC version costs RMB279 ($42). In Europe, the band is only available in the non-NFC model, and it retails for €44.99. The band is set to go on sale in April.