Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8: comparison feature

The Galaxy Fit3 has arrived! Now that we have all the details, let’s see how it measures up against the popular Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8. There’s no more waiting – the specs, design, and price are all out in the open.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

This article presents a side-by-side comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8. Let’s see how they stack up.

Key takeaways

The Galaxy Fit3, with its advanced features and smartwatch-like design, targets users desiring comprehensive health tracking and quick usability, though its style may not appeal to all. Also, it only works with Android phones. In contrast, the budget-friendly Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 offers basic tracking and unique wearability, making it versatile and distinct in the market.

View on Samsung, Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Galaxy Fit3, Xiaomi Smart Band 8).

Jump to

Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8: Hardware

Look & feel

The Galaxy Fit3 adopts a rectangular shape, a common design choice for fitness bands, and is constructed with an aluminum case, lending it a premium feel. Its dimensions are 42.9 x 28.8 x 9.9mm, making it a moderately sized device on the wrist. You could say it blends the appearance of a smartwatch with a fitness band. Which may not be to everyone’s liking.

The Mi Smart Band 8 also features a curved, rectangular shape but opts for a high-strength fibre polymer build with a TPU wristband. This might feel more lightweight and less premium compared to the Fit3’s aluminum construction. The Mi Smart Band 8 is slightly taller but much narrower, measuring 48mm × 22.5mm × 10.99mm. So it offers a less substantial presence on the wrist.

The Samsung Galaxy Fit3, designed exclusively for wrist wear, adheres to the traditional approach of fitness trackers. In contrast, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 introduces versatility in wearability with its innovative two-piece detachable band and new strap connection. This design allows users not only to wear it on the wrist but also as a necklace or attached to shoes, offering flexibility for different activities and personal preferences.

Regarding physical buttons, the Galaxy Fit3 includes one physical button on the side, which aligns with its minimalist design approach. The Mi Smart Band 8, however, goes for a sleeker look with no physical buttons, relying entirely on touch-screen interactions. This difference in button design could influence the user experience, with some preferring the tactile feedback of a physical button and others enjoying the seamless look of a button-less design.

Display, colour options, water resistance

The screens of both devices are AMOLED. The Galaxy Fit3 features a 1.6-inch display, while the Mi Smart Band 8 has a slightly larger (but narrower) 1.62-inch screen. This similarity in screen technology and resolution means both devices offer crisp and clear displays.

Water resistance is a key feature for fitness wearables, and both devices excel in this area. Each offers a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, indicating they can withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters.

Color options for the devices allow for personalization and style preferences. The Galaxy Fit3 is available in Prism Crush White, Pink, and Dark Gray, offering a range of classic and playful colors. The Mi Smart Band 8, on the other hand, is available in Black and Light Gold, catering to those who prefer more traditional or elegant color schemes.

Sensor technology

The Galaxy Fit3 is equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen monitoring, a barometer, and an ambient light sensor. This is quite a comprehensive suite of sensors.

On the other hand, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 includes a 6-axis sensor, which consists of a low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope, along with a PPG heart rate sensor and an SpO2 sensor. While it shares some similarities with the Fit3 in terms of basic sensor capabilities, it lacks the barometer found in the Fit3.

When it comes to GPS connectivity, both devices rely on connected GPS. This means they do not have built-in GPS modules and require a paired smartphone to access GPS data. This approach is common in fitness trackers to conserve the device’s battery life and reduce size and cost. However, it does mean that users will need to carry their smartphones with them to track GPS-based activities accurately.

NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities also differ between the two devices. The Galaxy Fit3 does not offer NFC support, limiting some functionalities like contactless payments. In contrast, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 includes NFC, but it’s important to note that this feature is only available in the China version of the device.

Regarding music storage, neither the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 nor the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 provides the option to store music directly on the devices. This means users cannot use these fitness bands as standalone music players and will need to rely on their smartphones or other devices for music playback during workouts or leisure activities.

Battery life

The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 highlights their efficiency and user convenience. The Galaxy Fit3, equipped with a 208 mAh Li-po battery, offers up to 13 days of usage on a typical charge. This is a particularly notable achievement given its large AMOLED display. Samsung has optimized the device for fast charging, achieving 65% battery in just 30 minutes.

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 packs a slightly smaller 190 mAh battery. However it surpasses the Fit3 in terms of longevity. The device delivers up to 16 days of usage under typical conditions and can last for 6 days even with an always-on display. Plus, it only takes an hour to charge the Mi Smart Band 8 from zero to full.

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8: Technical specs

Here’s a detailed tech specs comparison table for the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 and Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8:

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8: Features

As far as health and fitness features, the Galaxy Fit3 covers all the basics. Plus it packs a blood oxygen sensor and barometric altimeter, both additions over its predecessor. This tech enhances its capability to monitor respiratory health and track elevation changes, making it a more suitable option for those engaged in activities like hiking or mountain biking.

The Mi Smart Band 8, while not as feature-rich in terms of health monitoring, still holds its ground with a 6-axis sensor and an all-day SpO2 sensor, introduced in the previous model. It effectively tracks basic health metrics such as heart rate and blood oxygen levels. However, it lacks the barometric altimeter for counting floors climbed.

When it comes to fitness and sports features, both devices are well-equipped. The Galaxy Fit3 offers a range of sports modes and is capable of tracking various activities (101 in total, 5 with auto-recognition), including swimming, thanks to its water resistance. The Mi Smart Band 8 also offers a wide array of sports modes, with the number increasing to 150 in its latest iteration. This makes it a versatile choice for users who engage in a variety of sports and fitness activities.

Lastly, the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 is equipped with notable safety features. One of these is its fall detection capability, which can automatically detect if the wearer has taken a significant fall. In such events, the device prompts the user to confirm if they need help. If there is no response or if the user confirms the need for assistance, the Fit3 can send an SOS message to pre-designated emergency contacts

Smartwatch-type features

In terms of smartwatch-type features, both the Galaxy Fit3 and Mi Smart Band 8 allow users to receive notifications, control music playback, and check incoming calls and texts directly from the wrist. So they cover the basics.

However, neither device supports offline music storage. Or have the ability for contactless payments, apart from the Mi Band 8 in its local market of China. Which makes this feature pretty useless to the rest of us.

Worth mentioning is that Fit3 only works with Android phones. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi also works with iOS.

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8: Price

As far as pricing, the Galaxy Fit3 retails at around the $80 mark. The Mi Smart Band 8, with its more basic health tracking capabilities and polymer build, is priced significantly lower at around $45. This makes the Mi Smart Band 8 an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8: Final thoughts

The Galaxy Fit3, with its premium aluminum build and advanced health tracking and safety features should appeal to Android phone users seeking a more comprehensive health monitoring experience. The Fit3’s larger display and fast charging capability further enhance its user experience. However, the wearable blends the appearance of a smartwatch with that of a fitness band. This may not be to everyone’s liking.

On the other hand, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8, known for its budget-friendly price and versatile wearing options, offers basic health and fitness tracking in a more flexible format. Its increased number of sports modes and the innovative option to wear it as a necklace or on shoes make it a unique offering in the market.

View on Samsung, Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Galaxy Fit3, Xiaomi Smart Band 8).

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