Xiaomi Japan released three new wearables on August 27, 2026, at noon: the REDMI Watch 6 Lite, the REDMI Watch 6 Active, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active[1]. Prices run from 3,980 yen to 7,980 yen including tax, so even the top model stays under 10,000 yen. The three devices are spaced apart on specifications, and the differences change how each one fits into daily use.
Five-system GNSS and 1500 nits on the REDMI Watch 6 Lite
The REDMI Watch 6 Lite is the most capable of the three. It carries a 1.96-inch AMOLED display at 410 by 502 pixels and 332 PPI[2]. The bezel is trimmed to 2.8 mm, and peak brightness reaches 1500 nits[1]. Peak brightness is what determines outdoor legibility, so this figure decides whether the screen stays readable under direct summer sunlight. Always-on display is supported as well[1].
For positioning, the watch includes a GNSS chip covering five satellite systems: GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, and QZSS[2]. The inclusion of Japan's QZSS matters for tracking accuracy in dense urban areas and along running routes. Users can leave the phone at home and still record a route.
Sensors include a heart rate sensor with blood oxygen measurement, plus an accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and electronic compass[2]. The accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass together form a 9-axis setup that captures fine movement, supporting more than 150 sports modes[1]. Water resistance is rated at 5ATM, so swimming is covered[2]. The 470 mAh battery is rated for 18 days of light use, 12 days of typical use, and 6 days of heavy use with always-on display enabled[2].
The 5,580 yen REDMI Watch 6 Active uses a different water rating
The REDMI Watch 6 Active has a 1.85-inch AMOLED display at 390 by 450 pixels with peak brightness of 1200 nits[3]. The rounded frame of the previous generation has been replaced by a flat-edge design, and thickness comes in at 9.9 mm[1]. Battery capacity matches the Lite at 470 mAh, with the same 18 days of light use and 12 days of typical use[3].
The water rating deserves attention. While the Lite and the Band are rated 5ATM, the Watch 6 Active is rated IP68[3]. IP68 covers dust ingress and immersion to a specified depth, but it is not a rating written with swimming in mind the way 5ATM is. If swimming is part of the plan, that is the reason to pay the 2,400 yen difference for the Lite.
Sensor coverage is also separated. The Active carries only a heart rate sensor with blood oxygen measurement and an accelerometer[3]. There is no gyroscope or electronic compass, and no GNSS is listed. Both watches support Bluetooth calling and include a speaker[2][3], so the Active is sufficient if notifications and calls are the main purpose.
18 grams at 3,980 yen: the Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active
The least expensive model, the Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active, is built around light weight: 18 grams excluding the strap and 10.2 mm thick[4]. It uses a matte metallic painted frame and a 2.5D glass cover, giving the band a more finished feel than its price suggests[1].
The screen measures 1.47 inches at 172 by 320 pixels and 247 PPI[4]. The panel is TFT rather than AMOLED, but it runs at a 60 Hz refresh rate, which keeps scrolling and animation smooth[1][4]. More than 100 watch faces are available[4].
The 300 mAh battery is rated for up to 21 days of light use[4]. Typical use is rated at roughly 8 days[1], giving it the best endurance per unit of capacity among the three. Charging is magnetic and takes under 120 minutes, water resistance is 5ATM, and 50 sports modes are supported[4]. Health tracking covers heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, stress, and female health[4].
Specification comparison
| Item | REDMI Watch 6 Lite | REDMI Watch 6 Active | Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.96-inch AMOLED | 1.85-inch AMOLED | 1.47-inch TFT (60 Hz) |
| Resolution | 410x502 (332 PPI) | 390x450 (322 PPI) | 172x320 (247 PPI) |
| Peak brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | 450 nits |
| Satellite positioning | 5-system GNSS built in | Not listed | Not listed |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | IP68 | 5ATM |
| Battery | 470 mAh / up to 18 days | 470 mAh / up to 18 days | 300 mAh / up to 21 days |
| Weight | 27.8 g | 26 g | 18 g |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Sports modes | 150+ | 140+ | 50 |
| Price (incl. tax) | 7,980 yen | 5,580 yen | 3,980 yen |
All three connect over Bluetooth 5.3 and support Android 8.0 or later and iOS 14.0 or later[2][3][4]. The two REDMI Watch models run Xiaomi HyperOS[2][3].
Pricing and the early-purchase campaign
The REDMI Watch 6 Lite has a suggested retail price of 7,980 yen including tax, but from August 27 to September 9, 2026, it is available at an early-purchase price of 6,980 yen including tax[1]. The REDMI Watch 6 Active is 5,580 yen and the Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active is 3,980 yen, both including tax, with no early-purchase discount[1].
Sales channels include Xiaomi Store locations and the Xiaomi Service Center Akihabara, and online through the Xiaomi official site (mi.com), the Xiaomi official Rakuten Ichiba store, Amazon.co.jp, the Xiaomi Japan official TikTok Shop, and Yahoo! Shopping[1].
Summary
The three models from Xiaomi Japan break down as follows: the 7,980 yen REDMI Watch 6 Lite with five-system GNSS and 5ATM water resistance, the 5,580 yen REDMI Watch 6 Active focused on notifications and calls, and the 3,980 yen Xiaomi Smart Band 11 Active combining 18 grams of weight with 21-day endurance. Choose the Lite for GPS logging, the Active if reading notifications on the wrist is enough, and the Band if wearing comfort comes first. In practice, water rating and sensor coverage are the deciding factors. All three launched on August 27, 2026, with only the Lite carrying a 1,000 yen discount through September 9.
Source [1]: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000252.000098799.html
Source [2]: https://www.mi.com/jp/product/redmi-watch-6-lite/specs/
Source [3]: https://www.mi.com/jp/product/redmi-watch-6-active/specs/
Source [4]: https://www.mi.com/jp/product/xiaomi-smart-band-11-active/specs/
