Xiaomi Mi Band 8: The New Fitness Trackers Budget King

We'll be discussing the Xiaomi Mi Band 8, the latest addition to Xiaomi's lineup. Released in China about a month ago, it has now become available in other parts of the world. Full disclosure, Xiaomi sent us this tracker, allowing us to keep it. However, we assure you that our review will remain completely honest. Now, let's delve into the display, design, and the various features and functions of this tracker.

Traditionally, Xiaomi trackers were viewed primarily as fitness devices, offering detailed insights into health metrics. However, the Mi Band 8 also serves as a fashion accessory, thanks to its metallic mid-frame. The mid-frame comes in two color options: gold or graphite black. The package includes two strap colors—white and black—although additional accessories like the vibrant yellow bracelet or a pendant attachment can be purchased separately. This versatility allows users to wear the tracker in multiple ways.

In terms of design, the tracker features rounded corners and barrel-like sides, offering a pebble-like shape. The glossy face is protected by 2.5D reinforced glass, providing both durability and a premium feel. The TPU rubber strap, though standard, is comfortable for everyday wear. Xiaomi also offers accessory bands like a blend of leather and canvas, adding a touch of style.

One intriguing feature is the ability to clip the tracker onto your shoe for additional running, walking, and cycling metrics. However, it's worth noting that this method raises questions about the accuracy of metrics like calories burned, given that the tracker doesn't have direct contact with the skin to measure heart rate.

Moving on to the display, it boasts a 1.62-inch AMOLED panel that stretches edge to edge. This panel operates at a smooth 60Hz refresh rate, ensuring seamless UI transitions. The presence of an ambient light sensor allows for auto-brightness adjustment, a notable feature often absent in budget trackers. Additionally, the Mi Band 8 offers an always-on display (AOD) option, although it may impact battery life.

Speaking of battery life, Xiaomi claims an impressive 16 days. In real-world usage, with typical features including AOD, a more realistic estimate would be around 5 to 7 days. This is still commendable given the extensive functionality of the tracker. Furthermore, the charging time is under 1 hour, making it convenient for quick top-ups.

The Mi Band 8 comes equipped with a range of sensors, including SpO2, heart rate, and stress monitors. It also provides a step counter, alongside common features like timers, weather widgets, and more. However, what sets it apart are the 150 goal-based sport modes, offering diverse exercise objectives. The absence of built-in GPS means it requires a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone for accurate distance tracking.

For water enthusiasts, the tracker's 5 ATM water resistance enables usage in the shower or pool. It automatically recognizes strokes during swimming sessions. The smart companion feature acts as a virtual competitor, allowing users to set and compare their pace in real time.

What sets this tracker apart is its clip-on functionality. Now, you can wear it not only on your wrist or around your neck but also securely fastened to your shoelaces. This opens up a realm of additional statistics about your running, walking, and cycling habits. You'll have access to details like stride frequency, stride length, impact force, flight ratio, ground contact time, and much more. An important addition to the Xiaomi Smart Band 8, also known as the Mi Band 8 by some, is the Vitality Index. Essentially, it's a renamed version of the Personal Activity Index (PI).

The aim is to accumulate a score exceeding 100. This Vitality Index compiles your weekly data on activities and their respective intensities, condensing it into a numerical value. A key tip here is that you'll need to engage in higher-intensity activities to amass more points. If you find yourself below 100 points in a week, it's an indicator that you might need to up the ante and strive for a healthier, more active lifestyle. After all, this fitness tracker is designed to monitor your health stats and encourage you towards better well-being. In a nutshell, this is the all-new Mi Band 8.

Summing it up, we're looking at an impressive 1.62-inch AMOLED display with a remarkable 326 pixels per inch, quite a feat for a budget-friendly smart tracker. The quick-release and customizable straps add to its versatility. Out of the box, you get TPU rubber straps, but you also have the option to order others, including leather or braided styles. You can even wear this tracker around your neck or securely clip it to your foot for additional statistics, particularly useful for runners. With a whopping 150 sport modes, this is a standout feature, often not found in even some high-end smart and sport watches. The array of sensors, from heart rate to spo2 to stress levels, ensures comprehensive health monitoring. It tracks your sleep across all three stages: deep, light, and REM. The inclusion of auto-brightness and always-on display is a thoughtful touch. Topping it off, the battery life is commendable, offering 5 to 7 days in typical usage. Without using the always-on display, you might even stretch it to an impressive week and a half, roughly around 10 days.