The Mi Band brand is no doubt one of the most popular smartband series, and over the years, Xiaomi has continued to inundate the respective successors with newer features. The Mi Band 8 is the latest model in the Mi Band lineup, and it succeeds the Mi Band 7. It has a refined build with a redesigned strap and the battery life is slightly longer. Meanwhile, the Mi Band 7 Pro is a higher-end version of the Mi Band 7 that was released in 2022. It has an inbuilt GPS, a bigger display, and the same build quality as Mi Band 8. In this comparison, we’ll take a look at how the Mi Band 8 differ from Mi Band 7 and Mi Band 7 Pro to help you decide which is the right choice for you.
In summary, the difference between the Mi Band 7 and 8 is that the latter has a more refined build, more sports modes, a brighter display, its a tad slimmer and has a longer battery life than its predecessor. The Mi Band 8 also features a quick-release attachment point for the redesigned straps that makes it easier to swap. Moreover, it can be worn in different forms and the straps are available in silicone and more classy materials like leather and stainless steel bracelet. Meanwhile, the Mi Band 7 Pro has the same build quality as Mi Band 8 but it’s more equipped. It has an inbuilt GPS, voice assistant, and a bigger display. Though, Mi Band 8 has a longer battery life.
Beyond these differences, all three wearables are equipped to track your heart rate, stress, blood oxygen and sleep in four stages. Each of these three will also allow you to manage notifications and you have the option to reply to messages with preset quick replies.
Note that the quick reply function is only available when you pair the band with the Zepp Life app. Although, while you can setup Mi Band 7 and 8 with either Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app, you can only setup Mi Band 7 Pro with the Mi Fitness app.
Mi Band 7 vs 8 vs 7 Pro Full Specifications
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Mi Band 7 vs 8 – What’s New?
The Mi Band 8 looks exactly like the Mi Band 7, the features are almost identical with slight differences. Let’s take a look at what’s new with Mi Band 8.
- Mi Band 8 has a better design
- The straps have finally been redesigned
- Mi Band 8 has a brighter display and ambient light sensor
- Mi Band 8 has more sports modes and features a running coach
- Mi Band 8 has a longer battery life
- Mi Band 8 supports fast charging
Although comes in the same pill shape as the Mi Band 7, the Mi Band 8 has a refined design that leaves it more durable and stylish than its predecessor.
While the Mi Band 7 has a plastic case, the Mi Band 8 like Mi Band 7 Pro has an NCVM-coated frame that results in a shining metal texture appearance. The Mi Band 8 is also 1.26mm slimmer than Mi Band 7. Beyond this, both smart bands are very comfortable to wear and rated 5ATM. Though weighs 27 grams, the Mi Band 8 is very lightweight but it weighs a little more than Mi Band 7 which weighs just 13.5 grams.
The main talking point of the Mi Band 8 is the redesigned straps. Before now, the Mi Band series always come with a hollow strap design that engulfs the device.
That has changed with Mi Band 8. The straps can now be easily detached with a quick-release hook on the device just like you have it with many watches. In addition to the redesigned straps, the Mi Band 8 can be worn in different ways. It can be worn as a pendant, it can be attached to your shoes and you can wear it on the wrist. The straps come in different materials which include leather, nylon, and silicone. The basic model comes with silicone straps and is cheaper than the other materials. I had to order the bracelet strap, it’s so adorable.
Like Mi Band 7, Mi Band 8 also has the same 1.62 inches display powered by AMOLED. However, the display is a tad brighter. It has up to 600 nits in brightness compared to 500 units of Mi Band 7. Nonetheless, I have never had any problem reading complications on my Mi Band 7 even under direct sunlight.
Moreover, complementing its new status as a premium smartband, Xiaomi has also thought it wise to include an ambient light sensor that auto-regulates the brightness of the Mi Band 8 display. So you don’t have to manually adjust the brightness every now and then. Mi Band 7 Pro also has an ambient light sensor but this isn’t available in Mi Band 7.
Both Bands feature a couple of preloaded watch faces onboard the device, and you can add even more from the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app. Changing the watch face is still the same, you just press and hold on to the homescreen to highlight the current watch face then scroll through to select another watch face.
The interface hasn’t changed that much except for slight navigational changes. Both Bands rely on touchscreen as the only means of navigation. Swiping down from the homescreen lets you access your notifications. Swipe up from the homescreen to access the app menu. Swipe left or right to access your favorite widgets. Swiping right from any other screen other than the homescreen takes you to the previous menu.
Both Mi Band 7 and 8 will track the same activities like your steps, sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen, stress and calories. However, the Mi Band 8 has more sports modes. It features up to 150 sports modes While Mi Band 7 has 120 sports modes.
There is a new running coach app on the Mi Band 8. This app features a handful of running modes that can help you run better.
I tested the heart rate tracking accuracy of both Bands against the Omron heart rate monitor, the results were pretty much the same, and it shows the Mi Band 7 and 8 are consistent heart rate trackers.
I also had to test the sleep tracking accuracy of both Mi Band 7 and 8 against Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. From my many tests, both Bands were pretty consistent in tracking my sleep. Though, since an EEG wasn’t employed in my tests, I cannot say how accurate these two are in tracking the time spent in the various stages of sleep.
Like the Mi Band 7, Mi Band 8 also lacks inbuilt GPS. However, these two can still map routes and locations by connecting to your phone’s GPS. I tested the route mapping accuracy of both smartbands against the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. My many tests showed that the Mi Band 7 and 8 were accurate in tracking my routes.
So nothing much has changed in the fitness department except for the additional sports modes and running coach on the Mi Band 8.
On average, I get about 9 days of battery life with my Mi Band 7. This is with always-on turned on, notifications enabled, and wearing it throughout the day.
The Mi Band 8 has a 190mAh battery capacity which Xiaomi claims can last up to 16 days in typical usage. I tested the battery life of the Mi Band 8 by enabling always-on, continuous heart rate, blood oxygen and stress monitoring, worn to sleep daily, brightness set to midpoint and notifications enabled for 10 apps. I got 10 days of battery life which is a day more than I got with the Mi Band 7.
Both Bands feature a battery-saver mode which when activated can help you get even longer battery life.
It takes me about 1hr 10 minutes to fully charge my Mi Band 7, that’s because it lacks fast charging. The Mi Band 8 supports fast charging and from my tests, it took 55 minutes to fully charge it.
I noticed the charger is quite different from that of the Mi Band 7. It’s the same magnetic charger but it’s a bit more compact. You cannot charge the Mi Band 7 with Mi Band 8’s charger and vis-a-vis the other way round.
In summary, while the Mi Band 8 isn’t very much different from Mi Band 7, it welcomes significant additions that certainly make it a worthwhile upgrade. My biggest feature is the redesigned strap and refined frame.
Now let’s take a look at the differences between the Mi Band 8 and Band 7 Pro
Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 7 Pro
The Mi Band 8 also shares a lot in common with Mi Band 7 Pro. AMOLED powers the displays of both watches. And each of these two can track your sleep, blood oxygen, heart rate, and stress. However, there are slight differences between these two.
- The shape is different
- Mi Band 7 Pro has a bigger display
- Mi Band 7 Pro has inbuilt GPS
- Mi Band 7 Pro has a voice assistant
- Mi Band 8 has a longer battery life
There has always been only one model of the Mi Band, but in 2022, Xiaomi decided to release a pro version. The Band 7 Pro takes on a rectangular shape while the Band 8 retains the regular pill shape. Both wearables are water resistant up to 50 meters and are equally very sturdy.
The Mi Band 8 has a similar build quality to the Band 7 Pro. Both trackers have cases reinforced with NCVM coating that results in shinning metallic appearance. This of course makes these two very stylish than older Mi Band models.
While AMOLED powers the displays of both watches, the Mi Band 7 Pro has a bigger display. It spots 1.64 inches display compared to the 1.62 inches of the Mi Band 8. While the difference might appear very insignificant on paper, the rectangular shape of the Mi Band 7 Pro leaves it with a higher aspect ratio that results in a bigger footprint. You will see more at a glance on the Mi Band 7 Pro than on Mi Band 8.
The Mi Band 7 Pro is equipped with a GNSS chip that supports 5 satellite systems. As a result, you don’t need to carry your phone along to map your routes during an outdoor activity.
In contrast, the Mi Band 8 needs your phone to map routes. This can actually be inconvenient for some people. Personally, I hate carrying my phone along during a running activity.
Mi Band 7 Pro is also equipped with a microphone that enables voice assistance. It features an Alexa voice assistant that will allow you to use your voice to complete simple tasks like setting up an alarm or starting a workout. The Mi Band 8 like Mi Band 7 lacks a voice assistance feature.
While the Mi Band 7 Pro has a bigger display, inbuilt GPS, and voice assistant, it has a shorter battery life when compared to Mi Band 8. Both trackers let you go long from a single charge, however, the Mi Band 8 can last up to 16 days while it’s up to 12 days with Mi Band 7 Pro.
So, in summary, while these two have a very durable and comfortable build, as well as lots of activity-tracking features, the Mi Band 7 Pro with inbuilt GPS, voice assistant, and a bigger display is a better-equipped tracker than Mi Band 8.
Mi Band 7 vs 7 Pro
The Mi Band 7 and 7 Pro were both released in 2022, these two have the same ecosystem, the same activity tracking features, and can both reply to messages and calls with quick replies. But like in the case of Mi Band 8, the Mi Band 7 Pro is more equipped than Mi Band 7.
The Mi Band 7 Pro has a better build quality than Mi Band 7, it looks more stylish, thanks to its metallic appearance. It also has a bigger display. Moreover, its equipped with inbuilt GPS and a microphone that enables Alexa voice assistant. However, the Mi Band 7 has a longer battery life than Mi Band 7 Pro.
Which Mi Band is Best?
Although the Mi Band 7 Pro will cost you a little more, it’s a better-equipped tracker than Mi Band 7 and 8. It has an inbuilt GPS, a bigger display, and a voice assistant.
On the other hand, the Mi Band 8 is clearly a better tracker than its predecessor, Mi Band 7. It spots a more refined design with a redesigned strap. It also has a longer battery life, yet is priced very low. It’s certainly a worthwhile upgrade.