Redmi Watch 4 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro: Feature by feature

The rivalry between Xiaomi and its subsidiary, Redmi, continues to yield innovative offerings. With the Redmi Watch 4 and Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro entering the stage, launched in November 2023 and August 2023 respectively, we find ourselves at a crossroads of style and functionality.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Each of these devices offers a unique blend of sensors and features. Keep reading as we embark on this side-by-side comparison.

Key takeaways

The Redmi Watch 4 offers a classic, durable design, while the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro embraces a sleek, modern look. Both devices provide essential health and fitness tracking with various sensors and built-in GPS. Your decision boils down to style preferences and whether you prioritize fitness tracking or a traditional watch-like appearance, all at competitive prices for budget-conscious users.

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Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line

Redmi Watch 4 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro: Hardware

Look & feel

One of these is officially a fitness band, the other a smartwatch. But you wouldn’t be able to tell that by looking at them. Both have a smartwatch-like appearance. What’s obvious, though, is that Redmi Watch 4 has a square-shaped design, while the Xiaomi opts for a more elongated look.

The build quality of both devices reflects the company’s commitment to durability and style. The Redmi Watch 4 features a plastic back and an aluminium frame with a stainless steel finish. In contrast, the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro opts for a high-strength fibre polymer case with a TPU wristband, lending it a sleeker, more modern look.

Size-wise, the Redmi Watch 4 is slightly larger, measuring 47.6 x 41.1 x 10.5 mm, compared to the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro’s dimensions of 46 x 33.35 x 9.99 mm. This difference in size may influence user preference based on wrist size and comfort.

Physical buttons are another aspect where these two devices diverge. The Redmi Watch 4 includes a single rotating crown, which not only adds to its classic watch aesthetic but also provides a tactile and intuitive way to navigate the device’s interface. The Mi Smart Band 8 Pro, on the other hand, does away with physical buttons entirely. It relies solely on its touchscreen for navigation. This choice enhances the band’s minimalist design but may affect ease of use during activities like sports or workouts.

Display, colour options, water resistance

The screen is a standout feature for both models. The Redmi Watch 4 boasts a 1.97-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 450 x 390 pixels, offering vibrant colors and sharp visuals. The Mi Smart Band 8 Pro, while slightly smaller at 1.74 inches, also features an AMOLED display, but with a resolution of 336 x 448 pixels. Both screens are designed to provide clear visibility in various lighting conditions, with the Redmi Watch 4 reaching a peak brightness of 600 nits.

Water resistance is a key feature for any wearable device, and both models excel in this area with a 5 ATM rating. This means they can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters, making them suitable for activities like swimming or showering.

Color options allow users to personalize their devices to their taste. The Redmi Watch 4 is available in Black and White, offering a classic and versatile look. The Mi Smart Band 8 Pro comes in Black and Grey, colors that are equally adaptable to different styles and preferences.

Sensor technology

As far as sensors, the Redmi Watch 4 is equipped with an accelerometer, a 4-channel PPG sensor for heart rate monitoring, a compass, a gyro, and an SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen level measurement. This comprehensive array allows for a wide range of health and fitness tracking capabilities. In contrast, the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro includes a 6-axis sensor, which combines a low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope, along with a PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, and an ambient light sensor. The 6-axis sensor in the Mi Band 8 Pro enhances motion tracking accuracy, making it slightly more adept in fitness and movement tracking. But there’s not a huge difference there.

For GPS connectivity, both devices offer robust location tracking features. The Redmi Watch 4 supports multiple global navigation satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS, and QZSS, ensuring precise location tracking across various regions. The Mi Smart Band 8 Pro also offers comprehensive GPS connectivity with support for GPS, Galileo, Glonass, and QZSS.

When it comes to NFC (Near Field Communication), both devices offer this feature, but with regional variations. The Redmi Watch 4’s NFC availability is market or region-dependent, while the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro offers NFC exclusively in China. This means the utility of NFC for contactless payments and other functionalities will vary depending on the user’s location.

Regarding music storage, neither the Redmi Watch 4 nor the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro offers onboard music storage. This absence means users will rely on their connected smartphones to play music, which might be a limitation for those looking to use these devices independently during workouts or outdoor activities.

Battery life

Both of these devices showcase advancements in battery technology, ensuring users can enjoy their features without frequent recharging.

The Redmi Watch 4, powered by a 420 mAh battery, promises about 20 days of usage under normal conditions, and approximately 7 days with more intensive use, including the always-on display feature. This longevity is particularly noteworthy given the device’s large 1.97-inch AMOLED display, which typically consumes more power.

On the other hand, the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro, with its 289mAh battery, offers up to 14 days of battery life on a single charge and around 6 days with the always-on display activated. Despite its slightly smaller 1.74 inch AMOLED screen, the Mi Band 8 Pro balances display quality and energy efficiency effectively.

Redmi Watch 4 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro: Technical specs

Here’s a detailed tech specs comparison table for the Redmi Watch 4 and Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro:

Redmi Watch 4 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro: Features

The Redmi Watch 4 shines in its versatility for sports enthusiasts. It supports a wide array of sports modes, making it a suitable companion for users who engage in diverse physical activities, from running to swimming. This adaptability ensures that whether you’re a gym-goer or an outdoor sports aficionado, the Redmi Watch 4 can track and analyze your performance across different scenarios. Additionally, its health monitoring capabilities are comprehensive, providing insights into heart rate, sleep quality, stress levels, and even menstrual health, making it a holistic health tracking device.

As the Mi Band 8 packs the same sensors, there is no significant distinction in their health and fitness tracking capabilities. The primary differences lie in other aspects such as design, screen size, and additional smartwatch-type features.

Smartwatch-type features

In terms of smartwatch-type features, both devices offer functionalities that extend beyond health and fitness. They include features like notifications, weather updates, and music controls. This integration ensures that users can stay connected and informed without having to constantly reach for their phones.

Furthermore, both watches are equipped with the Xiaomi assistant. Which adds a layer of convenience by enabling control of various functions and access to information via voice commands.

It’s worth mentioning, the Redmi Watch 4 comes integrated with Xiaomi’s advanced HyperOS and includes Bluetooth 5.3, offering users a smooth and efficient experience. Additionally, the watch features NFC (Near Field Communication) for certain regions, enhancing its functionality by enabling contactless payments and facilitating effortless connectivity with various devices.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro matches closely in connectivity capabilities, also equipped with NFC (in China) and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a reliable and effective connection.

Redmi Watch 4 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro: Price

At the time of writing, the Redmi Watch 4 can be picked up for approximately $70 in China. It is yet to make its international debut. The Mi Smart Band 8 Pro falls within a similar price range, and that one is available globally now.

Redmi Watch 4 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro: Final thoughts

In this head-to-head comparison of the Redmi Watch 4 and the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro, we’ve witnessed two similar paths in the realm of wearable tech. The Redmi Watch 4 brings a large 1.97 inch AMOLED and durable build. Meanwhile, the Mi Smart Band 8 Pro embraces a sleeker 1.74 inch display and more modern aesthetic.

Both devices cover the basics as far as health and fitness tracking, offering an array of sensors as well as built-in GPS. The choice ultimately comes down to your style preferences and whether you prioritize nuanced fitness tracking or a more traditional watch-like appearance. Their competitive pricing makes them accessible options for users seeking feature-rich yet budget-friendly fitness wearables.

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