Xiaomi Mi Band 6 might include Amazon Alexa and built-in GPS

How will Xiaomi follow up a value-packed fitness tracker like the Mi Band 5? By stuffing its successor with even more features, apparently. As XDA reports, well-known Xiaomi device leaker Magical Unicorn has shared code for the Zepp app that hints at potentially huge upgrades for the Mi Band 6.

A firmware file references what seem to be new Xiaomi Mi Band 6 models with Amazon Alexa support, built-in GPS, and blood oxygen monitoring. You wouldn’t need to bring your phone for position tracking during a workout, and you wouldn’t need a Chinese model to put a voice assistant on your wrist.

Revamped watch images also suggest Xiaomi could include a larger display on the Mi Band 6. Both Chinese and international models could include NFC for tap-to-pay, although there might be a Chinese version without the technology.

See also: The best fitness trackers

The wearable might track a wider range of sports, too. The code mentions no less than 19 new activities, including fitness mainstays like core training, HIIT, and pilates as well as multiple forms of dance, stretches, and even bowling. Some of these will be familiar if you’ve used some devices (Apple Watches recently added cooldowns and dance workouts, for example), but we doubt anyone will complain if it helps them accurately gauge their performance.

It’s not certain when Xiaomi might release the Mi Band 6. There’s also no guarantee any shipping product will include Alexa or other features. The company might have to cut additions that aren’t ready or viable.

It wouldn’t be shocking if Xiaomi was aggressive, however. Xiaomi was second only to Apple in wearable market share in the third quarter of 2020, according to IDC, and is competing as much with smartwatches as it is basic fitness bands. A flood of new features could help the Mi Band 6 fare well against far pricier wristwear, not to mention fend off new hardware from Honor and other rivals.