Xiaomi is one of the leading brands in the wearable market, offering affordable and feature-rich fitness trackers. The Xiaomi Band series is especially popular among users who want a simple and reliable device to monitor their health and activity. The latest addition to the series is the Xiaomi Band 8, which was launched in China on April 18, 2023, along with other products such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Xiaomi Pad 6 series.
The Xiaomi Band 8 is the successor of the Xiaomi Band 7, which was launched in 2022 and received positive reviews from users and critics alike. The Xiaomi Band 7 was praised for its long battery life, accurate heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, and customizable watch face. However, it also had some drawbacks, such as a small screen size, a lack of NFC support, and a dated strap design.
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So, how does the Xiaomi Band 8 compare to the Xiaomi Band 7? What are the differences and improvements that make it worth upgrading? In this blog post, we will answer these questions by looking at the key features and specifications of both devices.
Specs
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of some of the key specs of both devices:
| Feature | Xiaomi Band 8 | Xiaomi Band 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.62-inch (192×490 pixels) HD 2.5D Always-on AMOLED touch display, 326 PPI, Up to 600 nits of brightness | 1.62-inch (192×490 pixels) AMOLED touch display |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM Water-resistant up to 50 meters | Water Resistant 50 meters, IP65 |
| Battery Life | Up to 16 days of battery life with typical usage | Up to 14 days of battery life with typical usage |
As you can see from the table above, there are several differences and improvements in the Xiaomi Band 8 compared to the Xiaomi Band 7. The display is now always-on and has a higher brightness level. The Bluetooth version has been updated and the water resistance rating has been improved. Additionally, the battery life has been increased by two days.
Design and Display
The most noticeable difference between the Xiaomi Band 8 and the Xiaomi Band 7 is the design and display. The Xiaomi Band 8 has a larger and brighter AMOLED screen, measuring 1.56 inches with a resolution of 152 x 486 pixels.
The screen also supports up to 16 million colors and has a peak brightness of 450 nits. The Xiaomi Band 7, on the other hand, has a smaller and dimmer AMOLED screen, measuring 1.1 inches with a resolution of 126 x 294 pixels. The screen only supports up to 65 thousand colors and has a peak brightness of 200 nits.
Form Factor
Another significant difference is the strap mechanism. The Xiaomi Band 8 has a new strap design that connects on each side of the device, making it more comfortable and secure to wear. The strap also comes in various colors and materials, such as silicone, leather, metal, and nylon. The Xiaomi Band 7 has an old strap design that wraps around the device, making it less convenient and prone to falling off. The strap also has limited color and material options.
The Xiaomi Band 8 also has a more elegant and minimalist appearance than the Xiaomi Band 7. The device has a curved glass cover that blends seamlessly with the body, giving it a smooth and sleek look. The device also has a single button on the right side that can be used to wake up the screen or access the menu.
The Xiaomi Band 7 has a flat glass cover that creates a gap between the screen and the body, giving it a bulky and cheap look. The device also has a touch-sensitive area below the screen that can be used to navigate or go back.
Battery Life
The battery life of both devices is similar, but not identical. The Xiaomi Band 8 has a slightly larger battery capacity than the Xiaomi Band 7, with 125 mAh versus 100 mAh. However, this does not translate to a longer battery life, as the larger screen size and brightness consume more power.
According to Xiaomi, the Xiaomi Band 8 can last up to 14 days on a single charge with normal use, or up to 21 days with power-saving mode. The Xiaomi Band 7 can last up to 15 days on a single charge with normal use, or up to 24 days with power-saving mode.
Both devices support magnetic charging, which means that you do not need to remove the device from the strap to charge it. You simply need to attach the charger to the back of the device and plug it into a power source. The charging time for both devices is about two hours.
Features and Functions
The features and functions of both devices are largely similar, as they both offer basic fitness tracking and health monitoring capabilities. Both devices can track your steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate, sleep quality, stress level, menstrual cycle, and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). Both devices also support various sports modes, such as running, cycling, swimming, yoga, etc., and can automatically detect some.
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However, there are some differences in terms of accuracy and performance. The Xiaomi Band 8 has an upgraded sensor that can measure your heart rate more accurately and continuously than the Xiaomi Band 7. The device also has an improved algorithm that can analyze your sleep quality more comprehensively than the Xiaomi Band 7.
Price and Availability
Xiaomi Band 8 is priced at 249 yuan (about $58) in China, which is slightly higher than Xiaomi Band 7’s price of 199 yuan (about $50). However, considering the improved design and features of Xiaomi Band 8, it is still a fair price and falls in line with what we have come to expect from this line of products from Xiaomi.
That said, the Xiaomi Band 7 remains a solid fitness tracker and owners of this might not need to upgrade. However, Mi Band 6 and older owners might want to upgrade now. Also, as the Band 8 hits shelves, we’re bound to see discounts on the Band 7 so that might be a good time to get you one of the Xiaomi Bands.
Worth noting is that Huawei has also unveiled the Huawei Band 8 which is set to take on the Xiaomi Band 8 head on. Should you be in the market, that is also one device to consider.
