We all want to live healthy lives, free from diseases and other complications that might result from a lack of activity. Sadly, our modern way of life means that most of us spend hours on end sitting, doing little in the form of physical activity.
According to guidelines from the WHO , to maintain a healthy lifestyle, an Adult should:
- Do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
- Engage in physical activity of amounts greater than 60 minutes daily will provide additional health benefits.
- Include activities that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 times per week.
While you can easily pop into a gym and get these in daily, no problem, some might opt for a more natural way of putting these in throughout their daily activities and a fitness tracker comes in very handy to help keep an eye on these metrics.
I have used the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 for the better part of the past month and during the period, I have gathered a few observations that I’d like to share in this product review. In case you missed it, we already have an unboxing and first impression of this gadget so you might want to check that out for things that might not get covered in this piece.
If you already have a Mi Band 4 and are wondering whether to upgrade to this version, we have a detailed look into the difference between both devices .
Anything New?
So what’s new with the Mi Smart Band 5 from the previous generation? Well, perhaps the most notable change in the Mi Smart Band 5 is the new charging mechanism.
This device’s charger now attaches through magnets to a dock at the back of the device meaning that you don’t need to remove the Mi Band 5 from its strap just to get it to charge. This, for me, is reason enough to get this device as this new way is a lot more elegant and less finicky.
Also note that I have the international version of the Mi Smart Band 5 and as such, I don’t have NFC which is standard on the Chinese version.
Mi ‘Smart’ Band 5?
So Xiaomi calls this iteration the Mi Smart Band 5 and not just the Mi Band 5 as we all call it. But how smart is this Band?
Well, for starters, Xiaomi skimmed on some rather important sensors that would make this device truly smart, at least compared to its competition. These include the omission of the SpO2 sensor that is used to measure the blood oxygen level.
The Mi Band 5 also doesn’t come with a built-in microphone so you can sermon your Google Assistant or Siri using it, or receive calls. You also don’t get GPS on this model so you need to have your smartphone’s location services turned on.
That said, you still get a lot of improved sensors with this unit. You get a much better heart rate sensor, you get stress monitoring and a bunch of smart-watch features including Music controls, Remote camera shutter, and mirrored notifications from your device.
Many of these features were already present in the Mi Band 4 and you can check out more of these features here .
Do these warrant the ‘Smart’ branding? Well, for most people, yeah. I for one, am conviced that this indeed is a Smart band as we shall soon see in the next few baked-in features.
Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI)
At the center of the Mi Band 5 experience is the Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI). This is essentially an overall assessment of your health status. This is arrived at based on various metrics that the Mi Band tracks over the course of the day, summarised over a week.
These metrics include your physical activity, workouts, heart rate, and stress levels among many other measurements. Over the course of the past few weeks, I only averaged 11/100 so I guess I really am a slob.
For the serious fitness enthusiasts, the Mi Band 5 tracks up to 11 different workouts. these include:
- Outdoor Running
- Treadmill
- Cycling
- Indoor cycling
- Walking
- Elliptical
- Rowing Machine
- Yoga
- Jump Rope
- Pool swimming
- Freestyle and many more
On top of that, the Mi Band 5 through the Mi Fit app, allows you to track even more activities. These include mundane ones like brushing your teeth, eating, sleeping, and more physical ones like Basketball, Badminton, and more.
Speaking of the Mi Fit app, that is the primary way of managing your Mi Band. It is available on both iOS and Android and allows you to set up your device, customize watch faces, and more. We will have a post taking a look at the Mi Fit app and all the features that it offers users.
Battery
Xiaomi advertises 14 days of battery life on the Mi Smart Band 5 and in our initial impressions, we made it through 10 days which was pretty close.
Mi Smart Band 5 Review: Battery after 8 days of usage
Since then, however, I have been exploring and enabling convenient features that are obviously detrimental to battery life. These include lift-to-wake and notification mirroring that lights the screen whenever I lift my wrist to glance at the Band and sends my phone’s new notifications respectively.
With these features turned on, battery life is down to one week. While this is not exactly impressive, it is still not bad considering I use it to track my sleep as well.
Sleep Tracking
The Mi Band 5 tracks sleep pretty accurately. Fasten the strap appropriately as you go to bed and the Mi Band’s AI can determine when you fall asleep and is able to denote whether it is a night of deep sleep or not.
Mi Smart Band 5 Review: Sleep Tracking
It is also able to track your naps during the day and charts the resulting data neatly and you can check it out from within the Mi Fit app.
Now that we have covered the main features of the Mi Band 5, let’s look at the little things.
Things Worth Noting
The Mi Band 5, like previous generations, cannot be turned off. When unboxing, I thought someone had tampered with my package since the device came while turned on. The only way to truly shut it down is to let it run out of juice. However, if you remove it from your wrist, after 10-15 minutes, you’ll notice that the flashing green light won’t come on.
In my experience, the Bluetooth connection between my phone and the Mi Band was pretty strong. I would leave my phone charging in my room and I’d still get notifications on my Mi Band when outside.
Often times, I wished there was a way to respond to messages quickly through the Mi Band. Well, I know we can’t get a keyboard on there because of the size of the display. Also, we have smartwatches for that but quick reply bubbles for messages and Instant messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram would be nice.
There are countless custom watch-faces available for the Mi Band. Most of them were designed for the Mi Band 4 but they still work well on the Band 5. This also means that we should soon see even more custom watch faces for the Mi Band 5.
The matte black rubber straps that came with the Mi Band 5 are subtle and understated which would appeal to many users. While I know there’s a whole ecosystem of custom Mi Band straps, they are not readily accessible in Kenya. Hopefully, that changes soon.
We still haven’t been able to adequately test the Menstrual cycle tracker as we need at least two months of data to determine its accuracy. Stay tuned for that update.
Conclusion
In closing, it is no doubt that Xiaomi has done it again with a really decent fitness tracker. The Mi Smart Band 5 is a compelling offer for anyone looking for a wearable but isn’t exactly looking to spend smart-watch kind of money.
If you have a Mi Band 4, you might not need to upgrade to this one. If you’re using an earlier gen tracker, at $45, this is a no-brainer. I got mine from Xiaomi Kenya at KES 4900 and so far, so good.
Do you have any questions on the Mi Smart Band 5? The comment section below is open!
I’m a tech enthusiast and digital explorer based in Kenya passionate about Android, Linux, and the world of custom ROMs. I love tinkering with devices to craft personalized, optimized experiences. When I’m not deep in code or tweaking gadgets, you’ll find me immersed in science fiction, philosophy, or writing about the ever-evolving tech landscape from an African perspective.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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