Xiaomi Smart Band 8: My honest opinion
Have you ever wanted a simple tracker that doesn’t feel like a brick on your wrist while you go about your business? I have. That’s exactly why I chose the Xiaomi Smart Band 8. It’s not just a high-tech product, it’s my daily companion.
First Impressions
When the Smart Band 8 arrived at my door, I was surprised at how small and smart it was. When I opened it up, the device was very lightweight and hardly felt at all. The metal frame gives it a premium look, and the graphite black color I chose looks understated. The included strap is easy to attach and quick to remove. The watch feels like a piece of jewelry rather than a gadget, and I wouldn’t mind wearing it all day. I was interested to see how it would behave in everyday life.
The display is really outstanding: the 1.62-inch AMOLED screen is bright, crisp and easy to read even in direct sunlight. We particularly liked the 60Hz refresh rate. Menu navigation is smooth, which is quite different from older models we’ve used. The OLED panel makes blacks look deeper and colors look brighter. The health monitoring also looks solid. The heart rate sensor, SpO2 and stress tracking work automatically. We compared the heart rate data with other watches and the results were pretty close. Getting the data took a little time, but for the price, I can’t complain. Step counting was accurate, but tracking distance while running without GPS was a little misleading. It recorded less than the actual distance. The few workout modes seemed a bit repetitive to me. Most of them were just variations of the same tracking system. Still, the Mi Fitness app is great - it syncs with Apple Health, the watch face is a big step up from previous models, and there are plenty of options to boot.
Real Impressions
I wore the Smart Band 8 while working out and found it very comfortable. It’s lightweight and doesn’t get in the way when you tighten the strap for a more accurate measurement. The calorie count was lower than other watches, which I think is more accurate. When running, the watch tracked my pace and step correctly, but it doesn’t have a built-in GPS. I had to take my phone with me to accurately determine distance, which seemed inconvenient; thanks to automatic syncing with the Apple Health and Mi Fitness apps, it was fine. The stress monitor is a nice touch, a gentle reminder to take a break when things are hectic around you. A soft vibration alarm clock - a welcome start to the day. The camera remote control is an unexpected but useful feature. It comes in handy on rainy days, and the water resistance is great.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The magnetic charging cable is a bit weak, and I bumped it a couple times. Battery life is good for a fitness tracker, but fell short of the claimed 16 days. I got about 4-6 days when all features were turned on, and the lack of built-in GPS is also a drawback, especially for running. Also, while the notification system is fine, you can’t reply to messages directly from the wristband; NFC functionality is also limited; and the wristband isn’t compatible with the Chinese payment system. It’s a shame that it can only be used with certain Chinese payment systems. The strap design is also different - if you have a previous generation strap, it won’t fit this model.
I’ve used several other fitness trackers and I think the Smart Band 8 is a great option for its price: it’s not as feature-rich as the Apple Watch, but it’s still fairly affordable. Compared to other budget trackers, the Smart Band 8 feels more refined and sophisticated. The screen is brighter, the interface is smoother, and the apps are easier to use. The design is also more stylish than many other trackers in this price range. It lacks some of the advanced features found in more expensive variants, such as built-in GPS, but it does the basics well and looks great. A nice upgrade over the previous generation, but not a huge leap forward in technology.
Final Verdict
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is a great option if you want a simple, stylish and reliable fitness tracker without spending a fortune. It’s easy to use, comfortable to wear and has a great bright screen. It tracks heart rate, steps and sleep well, but it’s not 100% accurate, especially if you need accurate GPS tracking. This bracelet is perfect for those who need a basic tracker for everyday use and workouts. If you’re an athlete and need ultra-detailed data, you’re better off spending the money on a more expensive device. For everyone else, this is a very good choice.
