Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs 7 Pro: which brings more bang for your buck?
Like clockwork, Xiaomi continues to dish out new additions in its fitness band range on a regular basis. The two models that we’ll focus on in this article are the Smart Band 7 Pro and Smart Band 8. Launched in July 2022 and April 2023 respectively, they have lots of similarities but also important differences you should be aware of. While sharing a common lineage, you could even say that they are tailored to different segments of the wearable market.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Read on for our side-by-side comparison. We delve into the nuances of each model, exploring how they cater to the diverse needs of everyday users.
Key takeaways
The $70 Mi Band 7 Pro, with its large display and robust build, targets users who seek a more comprehensive fitness tracking experience. This includes those who often exercise outdoors and will benefit from the precision of built-in GPS. On the other hand, the $45 Mi Smart Band 8, with its updated design and expanded range of sports modes, appeals to those who prioritize versatility and customization in their wearable tech.
View on Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Smart Band 8; Smart Band 7 Pro).
Jump to
Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs 7 Pro: Hardware
Design & display
When it comes to design and aesthetics, both the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Smart Band 8 maintain a sleek and modern look. The Mi Band 7 Pro features a curved, rectangular shape with a high-strength fibre polymer case and a TPU wristband, offering a comfortable and durable design. It lacks physical buttons, relying solely on a touch-sensitive display for navigation. The screen is a large 1.64-inch AMOLED screen with 2.5D slightly curved glass, providing clear and vibrant visuals. You could say the design blends elements of a fitness band with a smartwatch.
The Mi Smart Band 8, while retaining a similar rubberized, practical look geared towards fitness tracking, introduces a new two-piece detachable band design. This allows for more versatile and creative strap combinations, enhancing the wearable’s fashion appeal. There are even some accessories which allow you other wearing locations – in addition to the wrist. But you won’t be able to track heart rate from those.
The display remains the same size as its predecessor, a 1.62-inch AMOLED screen. However, it boasts an increased maximum brightness and a higher refresh rate, enhancing visibility and user experience.
Both models are available in various color options, with the Mi Band 7 Pro offering light gold and graphite grey, and the Mi Smart Band 8 available in black and light gold. Both devices maintain a 5 ATM water-resistance rating, ensuring durability during activities like swimming and showering.
Sensor technology
As you’d expect, Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Smart Band 8 are equipped with a suite of sensors and connectivity features. Both models include a 6-axis sensor, comprising a low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope, essential for tracking movement and orientation. They also share a PPG heart rate sensor and an SpO2 sensor for monitoring blood oxygen levels.
A significant difference lies in GPS connectivity. The Mi Band 7 Pro includes built-in GPS, along with support for GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS, making it more autonomous and accurate for outdoor activity tracking. That will be important to those that run or cycle outdoors. The Mi Smart Band 8, however, lacks built-in GPS. Instead, it relies on a connected smartphone for location tracking.
Both models offer NFC functionality, but it’s limited to the China market. This feature is primarily used for contactless payments and public transport ticketing. Neither of the bands provides music storage capability, focusing instead on fitness and health tracking features.
Battery life
Xiaomi is known for having fitness bands with stonking battery life. The good nes is that the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Smart Band 8 are no different.
The Mi Band 7 Pro is equipped with a 235mAh battery, supporting around 12 days of usage under normal conditions and 6 days with heavy use, including continuous GPS tracking. Charging time is approximately one hour.
On the other hand, the Mi Smart Band 8, with its 190mAh battery, slightly improves on this, offering up to 16 days of battery life under typical usage and 6 days with the always-on display feature activated. It also charges fully within an hour. This enhancement in the Mi Smart Band 8 represents a balance between maintaining a slim profile and ensuring longevity, making it a slightly more efficient choice for users prioritizing battery life.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs 7 Pro: Technical specs
Here’s a technical comparison specs table for the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 7 Pro and Mi Smart Band 8:
Specification | Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 7 Pro | Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 |
---|---|---|
Release Date | July 2022 | April 2023 |
Case Material | High strength fibre polymer | High strength fibre polymer |
Physical Buttons | 0 | 0 |
Shape | Curved, rectangular | Typical fitness tracker look, detachable core unit can be paired with different accessories |
Size | 44.7 x 28.8 x 11 mm | 48 × 22.5 × 10.99 mm |
Display Type | AMOLED, 2.5D slightly curved glass cover | AMOLED |
Resolution | 280 x 456 pixels | 192 x 490 pixels |
Screen Size | 1.64 inch | 1.62 inch |
Weight | 20.5 grams | 13.5 grams |
Sensors | 6-axis sensor (Low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope), PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2, ambient light sensor | 6-axis sensor (Low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope), PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2 |
Water-Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Positioning | GPS, Galileo, Glonass, QZSS | Connected GPS |
Built-in Speaker | No | No |
Microphone | Yes | No |
NFC | China only | China only |
Music Storage | No | No |
Connection | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
Battery Type | 235 mAh | 190 mAh |
Battery Life | 12 days (normal use), 6 days (heavy use) | Up to 16 days; 6 days with always on display; 1 hour to charge to full |
Operating System | Proprietary | Proprietary |
Colors | Light gold, Graphite Grey | Black, Light Gold |
Typical RRP | $70 | $45 |
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs 7 Pro: Features
The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Smart Band 8 are designed with a focus on fitness and health tracking, yet they cater to slightly different user needs. The Mi Band 7 Pro, with its built-in GPS, is ideal for those who exercise outdoors and require accurate location tracking for activities like running and cycling. This feature, combined with its health monitoring capabilities like heart rate tracking, SpO2 measurement, and a variety of fitness modes, makes it a comprehensive fitness companion.
The Mi Smart Band 8, while lacking built-in GPS, compensates with an expanded range of sports modes, totaling 150 (versus 100), including new additions like boxing training. This makes it suitable for users who engage in a diverse range of indoor and outdoor activities. You can even play simple games on it. Both models offer sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and provide insights into health metrics, making them valuable tools for overall wellness management. So not much difference there.
In terms of smartwatch-type features, both bands display notifications, control music playback on connected devices, and offer a range of customizable watch faces. However, they do not support third-party apps or have features like voice assistants, focusing instead on their core strengths of fitness and health tracking.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs 7 pro: Price
Whichever you choose, price-wise the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Smart Band 8 are positioned as budget-friendly options in the wearable market. The Mi Band 7 Pro, with its more advanced features like built-in GPS and a larger display, is priced slightly higher, typically around $70. The Mi Smart Band 8, offering a balance of features and improvements over its predecessor, comes in at a more affordable price point of about $45. This pricing strategy makes both models accessible to a wide range of users.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs 7 Pro: Final thoughts
Xiaomi is king of budget fitness bands for a reason. Its wearables provide good value for money. The Mi Band 7 Pro, priced at around $70, offers a more comprehensive package than Band 8. This is especially the case for those who frequently engage in outdoor activities, thanks to its built-in GPS and larger display.
The Mi Smart Band 8, on the other hand, presents itself as a more budget-friendly option at approximately $45. This makes it an attractive choice for users seeking a versatile and customizable fitness tracker with a wide range of sports modes and nice display features. Also, as its the latest generation product, its sensors include the latest that Xiaomi has on offer. Which, potentially, means more accuracy.
In choosing between the two, potential buyers should consider their specific needs and preferences. Do you require built-in GPS and are you a fan of fitness bands with very large displays? If not, Smart Band 8 might be a better fit.
View on Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Smart Band 8; Smart Band 7 Pro).
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