Xiaomi Smart Band 10 gains new custom vibration & motion games
Just a few days after its international debut, Xiaomi has pushed out the first firmware update for its Smart Band 10. Version 2.1.71 brings adds some more custom vibration alerts, motion-controlled games and new widgets, along with a handful of bug fixes.
New custom vibration alerts
One of the additions as part of this update are some more custom vibration pattern options. For calls, the choices now include Default, Iced Latte and Toybox. Alarms come with options like Good Day and Beeper, while notifications can be set to Wave or Jump. The rest of the categories such as task reminders, standing prompts, goal achievements and events stick with the standard buzz for now.
It is worth noting, the new motor Xiaomi has packed into this version delivers slightly sharper feedback. So having custom patterns lets you know whether it’s a call, a nudge to get up or just a generic notification, all without looking.
Somatosensory games return
Another addition is a set of somatosensory games. These rely on motion control, letting you interact with them by moving your wrist or arm. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the same games were present on the Smart Band 9. There’s no sign of anything new here, just a reappearance of titles Xiaomi had already built out.
It’s unclear if these will show up for everyone right away. Regional differences may affect which users see them and when. Still, it’s a fun extra that gives the tracker a bit of personality.
Usability tweaks and bug fixes
Beyond the headline features, version 2.1.71 also introduces a handful of small enhancements. New widgets have been added to help surface information faster, and there are under-the-hood tweaks aimed at improving stability.
As with most firmware updates, users may not notice every change immediately. But the experience should feel a bit more responsive. If you haven’t received the update automatically, you can head to the Mi Fitness app and trigger it manually.
In our review, the Smart Band 10 comes across as a slight step forward in a few key areas. The screen is larger, brighter and easier to read outside, the new compass adds a bit of extra depth to swim tracking, and heart rate broadcasting is handy if you train with other gear. Sleep tracking feels slightly more informative now, and the stronger vibration motor helps with telling alerts apart. Battery life still holds up nicely, which is good to see. It’s missing heart rate variability and NFC still only works in China, but overall this is a solid pick for anyone coming from an older model or buying in for the first time.
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