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Xiaomi Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7: What's new on the latest budget tracker?
![Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pill Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Pill](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Xiaomi-Mi-Band-7-Pill-scaled.jpg)
Consistency is key when it comes to Xiaomi’s Mi Band lineup. Each year, the company launches 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 improve steadily, and this year is no different. Find out the key differences between the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 vs the Mi Band 7.
Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7
Design
Xiaomi’s latest fitness tracker may look familiar at first glance. The device shares many of the 7’s prominent design features including a lightweight, band-style shape and the same 1.62-inch, 192 x 490-pixel, AMOLED display. Both also offer an always-on mode for keeping an eye on stats.
However, a closer look shows differences both subtle and significant. The Mi Band 8’s pill-shaped tracker measures 48 x 22.5 x 10.99mm which 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 8’s screen can now reach 600 nits at peak brightness compared to the 7’s 500 nits. The new model also features a 60Hz refresh rate.
![Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Strap Off An older model band's tracker pill rests alongside its unibody strap.](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Xiaomi-Mi-Band-7-Strap-Off-scaled.jpg)
Meanwhile, more significant than its display changes, the Mi Band 8 also features a new strap. For the first time, the line drops the stretchy, silicone unibody band of its predecessors in favor of a two-piece strap that clips into either side of the pill. This look elevates the device greatly. In fact, it lends itself to a much more attractive aesthetic similar to pricier trackers like the Fitbit Inspire 3.
The Mi Band 8 drops the unibody strap of its predecessor in favor of an elevated, two-piece design.
A two-piece strap debuted on the Mi Band 7 Pro, but this is the first time we’ve seen the look on the truly budget-friendly lineup. Additionally, the Mi Band 8 can be worn off the wrist as a pendant-styled necklace or clipped to a running shoe. With more flexibility in how the device is worn, users can now track important metrics beyond the wrist.
Whether you have the traditional Mi Band 7 wristwear or the versatile Mi Band 8, both devices are best worn powered up. For that, the Mi Band 8 packs a 190mAH capacity battery, slightly larger than the Mi Band 7’s 180mAH one. The boost between the two generations is a small one compared to the 44% increase we saw between the Mi Band 6 and the 7, but that makes sense considering the 7 introduced a much larger display.
The Mi Band 8 boasts a battery life claim of 16 days with typical use and 6 days with always-on mode enabled. The 7 claims a 15-day battery life with typical use and 9 days with heavy use. During our Mi Band 7 review period, we were able to eke out closer to one week of battery life with all the band’s features enabled.
Features
![Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Workouts A user scrolls the workout options on their device.](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Xiaomi-Mi-Band-7-Workouts-scaled.jpg)
On the inside, a Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7 comparison highlights most of the same tracking features. With heart rate and SpO2 sensors, each provides full-day heart rate monitoring and continuous blood oxygen monitoring with low SpO2 alerts. They also both offer sleep and stress tracking, female health monitoring, and Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) metrics. These may sound like staples on every wearable, but they’re still impressive at this price. Even the Apple Watch SE 2 doesn’t feature an SpO2 sensor.
The Mi Band 8 and 7 offer many of the same health and fitness tracking tools, and neither provides an onboard GPS.
On the fitness front, both models monitor VO2 max as well as a staggeringly large range of workout modes. Technically, the Mi Band 8 passes the 7 with 150 sport modes (compared to 130), but we’re not convinced you’ll use all of them anyway. Other fitness features include monitoring advanced training metrics such as training load, training effect, and recovery stats. You won’t find as much data as that provided by other ecosystems, but these metrics are plenty helpful in improving performance.
Unfortunately, the Mi Band 8 still does not pack the onboard GPS we were hoping to see this year. Instead, both devices offer connected GPS only, so you will need to bring a phone on runs and rides either way. The Mi Band 8 does, however, offer an upgraded 6-axis motion sensor. To put it to good use, Xiaomi also added movement-based fitness courses to the Mi Fitness app.
Price and colors
![Xiaomi Mi Band 8 6 A set of the latest models display new watch faces with playable games.](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Xiaomi-Mi-Band-8_6.jpg)
- Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (China, no NFC): 249 yuan (~$37)
- Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (China, NFC): 299 yuan (~$44)
- Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (Global): $46 at Amazon
- Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (China, no NFC): 239 yuan (~$34)
- Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (China, NFC): 279 yuan (~$40)
The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 launched in the spring of 2022, hitting global shelves on May 21, 2022. Its original retail price was about $10 higher than that of its predecessor at $60. Today, you can typically find the Mi Band 7 available from third-party retailers for below $50. That price may drop further when the 8 arrives in all regions. The Mi band 7 comes in Ivory, Orange, Green, Blue, Black, Pink, Neon Green, Neon Orange, Khaki Green, and Khaki Blue.
A global model of the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is not yet available. However, Chinese models are similarly priced to those of the Mi Band 7 lineup. For now, existing Mi band 8 models are available in two colors: Light Gold and Bright 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 a Pro model of the 8 either.
![Xiaomi Mi Band 7](https://clearbuy-cloud.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/4055/Xiaomi-Mi-Band-7.jpg)
![AA Editor's Choice](https://clearbuy-cloud.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/455/aa2020_editors_choice.png)
![Xiaomi Mi Band 8](https://clearbuy-cloud.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/7426/Xiaomi-Mi-Band-8.jpg)
Specs
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 | |
---|---|---|
Display | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 1.62-inch AMOLED Always-on display mode 192 x 490 resolution Up to 600 nit | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 1.62-inch AMOLED Always-on display mode 192 x 490 resolution Up to 500 nit |
Sensors | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 PPG heart rate sensor 6-axis motion sensor SpO2 sensor Connected GPS | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 PPG heart rate sensor 3-axis accelerometer 3-axis gyroscope SpO2 sensor Connected GPS |
Battery | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 190mAh 16-day standard battery life 6 days with AOD | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 180mAh 15-day standard battery life 9 days with heavy use |
Connectivity | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Bluetooth 5.1 | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Bluetooth 5.2 |
Water resistance | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 5ATM | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 5ATM |
Charging method | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Magnetic charging | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Magnetic charging |
Supported devices | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Android 6.0 or later iOS 12.0 or later | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Android 6.0 or later iOS 10.0 or later |
Dimensions | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 48 x 22.5 x 10.99mm | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 46.5 x 20.7 x 12.25mm |
Colors | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Bright Black, Light Gold | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Black, Blue, Orange, Pink, White, Dark Green, Fluorescent Orange, Fluorescent Green, Camouflage Blue, Camouflage Green |
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7: Which should you buy?
![Xiaomi Mi Band 7 Black A Xiaomi Mi Band 7 in black rests on a mint yoga mat.](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Xiaomi-Mi-Band-7-Black-scaled.jpg)
Since 2014, Xiaomi has been consistently improving its budget fitness tracker line. Last year, we felt the company knocked it out of the park. The display size, advanced training features, and accurate sensors on the Mi Band 7 earned the device an Editors Choice award.
This year, the Mi Band 8 brings back all the same features we love, plus an elevated strap design and a few more niche capabilities. It’s a fantastic device at a great price. So which should you buy?
The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is the best pick if you don’t already own a Xiaomi Mi Band 7. The modern strap gives the tracker a refined look while also giving users more flexibility in how they wear the pill day to day. If you own a Mi Band 6, see our Mi Band 8 vs 6 comparison guide to determine whether it’s time for an upgrade.
If you already own a Mi Band 7, the decision isn’t as easy. There may not be enough newness to the latest generation to warrant shopping just yet (unless you’re eager to strap your pill to your sneaker). A more significant upgrade would be to check out the Mi Band 7 Pro ($89 at Amazon). This model is the only one with built-in GPS, plus a smartwatch-style display, robust fitness tracking, and decent battery life.
FAQs
Both the Mi Band 7 and 8 offer only connected GPS. For onboard GPS, shoppers should look to the Mi Band 7 Pro.
Global models of the Mi Band 7 do not have NFC. In China, there is currently an NFC and a non-NFC model of the Mi Band 8 available, however, it is unclear if both options will be available globally.
You cannot use Alexa with the Mi Band 7. It is not yet clear if a global Mi Band 8 model will support Alexa.
Neither the Mi Band 7 nor the Mi Band 8 can answer calls from the wrist. Both will, however, provide alerts that a call is incoming.