Xiaomi Launches $38 Smart Band 11 Active Globally With 21-Day Battery Life

Q: Why did Xiaomi abandon the vibrant AMOLED screen for their newest budget-friendly global fitness tracker?

Xiaomi appears to have dropped AMOLED on the Smart Band 11 Active mainly to hit a very low global price while preserving long battery life and a lightweight design. The clearest evidence is the product’s positioning. At roughly €40 or PLN 139, the 11 Active is explicitly the budget tier in Xiaomi’s lineup, sitting below the regular Smart Band 10 and the more advanced Pro models. The searched material repeatedly notes that Xiaomi also cut features such as GPS and NFC to keep costs down. Using a 1.47-inch TFT/LCD panel instead of AMOLED fits that same cost-saving strategy. Battery endurance is part of the trade-off. Xiaomi is marketing up to 21 days of light use from a 300 mAh battery, with around 8 days under heavier conditions. While AMOLED is usually more premium and can be efficient in some scenarios, a simpler LCD paired with a basic feature set can help Xiaomi control power use and avoid raising the bill of materials. The company is also differentiating its lineup more sharply. Xiaomi’s standard and Pro bands now carry the brighter, more expensive AMOLED displays and richer feature sets, while the Active model is aimed at buyers who want essential tracking, notifications, 5ATM water resistance and broad phone compatibility at the lowest possible price. That said, Xiaomi has not publicly given a detailed explanation. So the reason is inferred from the device’s pricing, feature cuts and market position rather than from an official statement.

3 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Aug 23

Xiaomi has officially unveiled the Smart Band 11 Active worldwide after months of leaks, with confirmed sales already appearing in Poland at PLN 139, about $38.
The budget wearable pairs a 1.47-inch TFT display with a 300 mAh battery that Xiaomi says can last up to 21 days on light use, or 8 days under heavier monitoring.
A 43.5 x 25.8 x 10.2 mm case comes in Black, Grey and Pomelo Pink, and adds 5 ATM water resistance, though Xiaomi says it should not be used for diving, saunas or hot showers.
Xiaomi also includes 50 fitness modes, Android and iOS support, and a PPG sensor for heart rate, SpO2, sleep, stress and women's health tracking.
The launch undercuts the AMOLED-equipped Smart Band 10 and aligns with earlier reports that the new model would reach the eurozone at around €40.