Kaitlyn Cimino/Android Authority
Consistency is key when it comes to Xiaomi’s Mi Band lineup. Every year, the company releases a slim, affordable tracker with more than enough health and fitness features to warrant a spot on your wrist. With iterative changes, the line continues to steadily improve, and this year is no different. Find out the main differences between Xiaomi Mi Band 8 and Mi Band 7.
Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7
design
Xiaomi’s latest fitness tracker might look familiar at first glance. The device shares many of the notable design features of the 7 including a lightweight band-shaped form factor and the same 1.62 inch, 192 x 490 pixels AMOLED display. Both also offer a permanent mode for monitoring stats.
However, a closer look reveals subtle and important differences. The pill-shaped Mi Band 8 tracker measures 48 x 22.5 x 10.99mm and is slightly longer and wider, but also thinner than the Mi Band 7 at 46.5 x 20.7 x 12.25mm. While the display sizes are identical, the 8s screen can now reach 600 nits of peak brightness compared to the 7’s 500 nits. The new model also features a 60Hz refresh rate.
Kaitlyn Cimino/Android Authority
Mi Band 7
Meanwhile, the Mi Band 8 features a new strap that’s more significant than the changes on display. For the first time, the line is dropping the flexible, silicone strap of its predecessors in favor of a two-piece strap that snaps on either side of the bead. This appearance greatly elevates the device. In fact, it gives way to more attractive aesthetics that are similar to more expensive trackers like the Fitbit Inspire 3.
The Mi Band 8 drops the unibody strap of its predecessor in favor of a raised, two-piece design.
A two-piece strap debuted on the Mi Band 7 Pro, but this is the first time we’ve seen a look at the truly budget-friendly lineup. In addition, the Mi Band 8 can be worn from the wrist as a choker or clipped to a running shoe. With more flexibility in how the device is worn, users can now track important metrics off the wrist.
Whether you have the traditional wrist Mi Band 7 or the versatile Mi Band 8, it’s best to wear both devices. So, Mi Band 8 has a 190mAh battery, which is a bit larger than Mi Band 7’s 180mAh battery. The boost between the two generations is a small boost compared to the 44% increase we saw between the Mi Band 6 and 7, but it makes sense considering the 7 offered a much larger screen.
Mi Band 8 has a battery life of 16 days with typical use and 6 days with always on mode enabled. The seven phones claim 15 days of battery life with typical use and 9 days with heavy use. During our Mi Band 7 review period, we were able to get close to one week of battery life with all of the band’s features enabled.
Features
Kaitlyn Cimino/Android Authority
On the inside, the Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7 comparison highlights most of the same tracking features. With heart rate and SpO2 sensors, each provides all-day heart rate monitoring and continuous blood oxygen monitoring with low SpO2 alerts. Both also offer sleep and stress tracking, women’s health monitoring, and measures of personal activity intelligence (PAI). These may seem like the staples on every wearable device, but they’re still pretty impressive at this price. Even the Apple Watch SE 2 does not have an SpO2 sensor.
The Mi Band 8 and 7 offer many of the same health and fitness trackers, and neither offers GPS onboard.
On the fitness front, both models monitor VO2 max as well as an impressively wide range of workout modes. Technically, the Mi Band 8 goes by 7 with 150 sports modes (compared to 130), but we’re not convinced you’ll be using them all anyway. Other fitness features include monitoring advanced training metrics such as training load, training impact, and recovery statistics. You won’t find as much data as that provided by other ecosystems, but these metrics are very helpful in improving performance.
Unfortunately, the Mi Band 8 still doesn’t pack the onboard GPS we were hoping to see this year. Instead, both devices only offer connected GPS, so you’ll need to bring a phone for the run and ride either way. However, Mi Band 8 introduces an upgraded 6-axis motion sensor. To put it to good use, Xiaomi has also added movement-based fitness courses to the Mi Fitness app.
Price and colors
- Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (China, without NFC): 249 yuan (~ 37 US dollars)
- Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (China, NFC): 299 yuan (~ $44)
- Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (Global): $44.18 at Amazon
- Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (China, without NFC): 239 yuan (~$34)
- Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (China, NFC): 279 yuan (~ $40)
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 was launched in the spring of 2022, and hit global shelves on May 21, 2022. Its original retail price was about $10 higher than its predecessor’s price of $60. Today, you can usually find the Mi Band 7 available from third-party retailers for less than $50. This price may drop further when you reach 8 in all regions. Mi band 7 comes in Ivory, Orange, Green, Blue, Black, Pink, Neon Green, Neon Orange, Khaki Green, and Blue Khaki.
The global model of Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is not available yet. However, the Chinese models are priced similarly to those in the Mi Band 7 lineup. For now, the current Mi band 8 models are available in two colours: Light Gold and Glossy Black. It is also not clear if there will be a global Mi Band 8 model with NFC. We haven’t heard any concrete rumors about the Pro model of the 8 either.
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
Bigger, brighter screen • Accurate resting heart rate • Continuous SpO2 monitoring
A budget range that offers more than the price might suggest
Long battery life, a bright, always-on display, and amazing health and activity tracking intelligence make this affordable tracker a great pick for anyone on a budget. Xiaomi’s Mi Band 7 offers more than 100 sports modes, as well as continuous SpO2 monitoring. You can even personalize your device with many animated watch faces.
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Accurate Health & Fitness Tracking • Affordable Price Point • Unique Form Factor
Once again, Xiaomi offers a fitness tracker at an affordable price.
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 features an all-new strap design and the same vibrant touchscreen as the previous generation. On the wrist, as a necklace, or even attached to a running shoe, the device tracks key fitness stats and provides useful health monitoring tools for users who are passionate about monitoring their health. It’s a solid entry-level tracker at a great price.
Specifications
| Xiaomi Mi Band 8 | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 | |
|---|---|---|
|
an offer |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
1.62 inch AMOLED |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
1.62 inch AMOLED |
|
tentacles |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
PPG heart rate sensor |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
PPG heart rate sensor |
|
battery |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
190 mAh |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
180 mA
Standard battery life is 15 days 9 days with heavy use |
|
Connection |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Bluetooth 5.1 |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
Bluetooth 5.2 |
|
Water resistant |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
5ATM |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
5ATM |
|
Shipping Method |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
magnetic charging |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
magnetic charging |
|
Supported devices |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Android 6.0 or later |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
Android 6.0 or later |
|
Dimensions |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
48 x 22.5 x 10.99 mm |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
46.5 x 20.7 x 12.25 mm |
|
Colors |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Glossy black, light golden |
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
Black, blue, orange, pink, white, dark green, fluorescent orange, fluorescent green, camouflage blue, and camouflage green |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7: which one should you buy?
Kaitlyn Cimino/Android Authority
Since 2014, Xiaomi has been constantly improving its line of budget fitness trackers. Last year, we felt like the company knocked it out of the park. The screen size, advanced training features, and precise sensors on the Mi Band 7 earned the device our Editors’ Choice award.
This year, the Mi Band 8 brings back all the same features we love, plus a raised strap design and some other niche capabilities. It’s a great device at a great price. So what should you buy?
The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is the best pick if you don’t already have a Xiaomi Mi Band 7. The modern strap gives the tracker a stylish look while also giving users more flexibility in how they wear the dial on a daily basis. If you own a Mi Band 6, check out our Mi Band 8 vs 6 comparison guide to decide if it’s time to upgrade.
If you already own a Mi Band 7, the decision is not easy. There might not be enough newness to the latest generation to warrant shopping just yet (unless you’re keen on tying the pill to your sneakers). The most significant upgrade would be to check out the Mi Band 7 Pro ($109.99 at Amazon). This model is the only one with built-in GPS, as well as a smartwatch-style display, solid fitness tracking, and decent battery life.
questions and answers
The Mi Band 7 and 8 only offer connected GPS. For onboard GPS, shoppers should look to the Mi Band 7 Pro.
Global models of Mi Band 7 do not have NFC. In China, an NFC and a non-NFC model of the Mi Band 8 is currently available, however, it is not clear if both options will be available globally.
You cannot use Alexa with the Mi Band 7. It is not yet clear if the global Mi Band 8 model will support Alexa.
Neither Mi Band 7 nor Mi Band 8 can answer calls from the wrist. However, both will provide alerts that an incoming call.