Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (a.ok.a. the Xiaomi Sensible Band 8 in Europe) has an extremely lengthy checklist of options contemplating it prices beneath $50, which we at the moment suggest for price range buyers in our finest health tracker information. Yearly the following Mi Band arrives bringing additional refinements to the sequence, usually delivering options beforehand reserved for rather more costly gadgets. Though we nonetheless have loads of time earlier than a brand new mannequin, right here’s my wishlist for what I’d wish to see subsequent yr from the Xiaomi Mi Band 9.
A {hardware} again button
The Mi Band 8’s complete UI is navigated by way of contact, which is usually a bit difficult with such a small show. I’d wager that is largely about slicing prices, however it’s additionally seemingly at the least just a little bit about sticking with the Mi Band’s very barebones, minimalist philosophy. Nonetheless, a bodily again button would make navigating the UI considerably simpler, even when it’d add a tiny little bit of bulk over the present mannequin and would muddle up the design barely.
NFC shouldn’t be reserved only for China
The Chinese language model of the Mi Band 8 consists of NFC for cellular funds, which is a primary for the corporate’s price range tracker. The band at the moment works with AliPay and WeChat Pay. That’s nice, however what in regards to the worldwide model? Xiaomi has opted to not embody the function in any respect. It could be good to see the Mi Band 9 convey this function to all variations, particularly for the reason that Chinese language model’s fee providers are already out there in different international locations all through Europe and Asia.
GPS can be good too
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Xiaomi Mi Band 7
NFC is among the most sought-after options for the Mi Band, proper subsequent to GPS, I’d wager. Whereas the Mi Band 8 can use your cellphone’s GPS, built-in GPS continues to be one of many Mi Band’s largest lacking options. The Xiaomi Mi Band 9 ought to lastly rectify this and supply GPS baked-in.
Now I do know what you’re considering: wouldn’t that drive the worth tag above $50? Sure, and that might be a deal breaker for some, however one easy answer can be to supply a GPS variant and a less expensive base mannequin. This might sound pointless since there’s already a Mi Band Professional sequence, however these trackers are typically a bit nearer to an entry smartwatch than a health tracker. A few of us need one thing small and inexpensive just like the Mi Band 8 however are keen to pay a tad extra for helpful extras.
The Mi Health app may nonetheless use some UI enhancements and higher information integration
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Mi Health (previously Xiaomi Put on)
The Mi Band’s largest weak spot has all the time been software program and sadly, that’s nonetheless the case at this time.
Up to now, the corporate provided two official apps, each with totally different UIs and have units; this was greater than just a little complicated. The Mi Band 8 is simply appropriate with the Mi Health app and that’s it, because the Mi Band doesn’t work with third celebration apps both. The restricted help wouldn’t matter a lot if the official app had a UI that labored in addition to Fitbit and others, however that’s simply not the case.
The app lacks lots of customization choices. For instance, there’s no strategy to swap from metrics to US/Imperial. It’s additionally a bit buggy, because it’s fairly frequent to have connectivity issues between the app and the watch. Navigating the app isn’t so unhealthy, however there are lots of pointless steps for some options.
I understand we are able to solely anticipate a lot from a health band that’s throughout the impulse-buying value vary, however it’s the one factor holding this tracker again from being just about good. If Xiaomi may enhance the app expertise it might have a health band that’s arguably simply pretty much as good as trackers that value double and even triple the worth.
Third-party app help can be even higher
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
As I discussed above, the Mi Band 7 and earlier additionally labored with one other app, referred to as Zepp Life. This app was higher in some methods and had entry to some third-party information syncing choices that the Mi app doesn’t. So what does the Mi Health app help for information syncing? Strava and that’s it. This wouldn’t be so unhealthy if there have been third-party health app help, however you possibly can’t even use one thing like Google Match as an alternative both.
A revamped app would go a good distance, however I may stay with Mi Health if I may sync my information to and from different apps, or if I may use a third celebration app altogether as a substitute. Whereas I perceive Xiaomi desires to maintain the deal with its ecosystem, it additionally makes the band very irritating to make use of for these outdoors of China. I need to see this transformation with the Mi Band 9.
Mi Band 9 wishlist: What function would you wish to see probably the most?
801 votes
Will there be a Mi band 9?
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
The Mi Band is among the hottest price range trackers and has been an enormous success for the corporate. The Mi Band can also be certainly one of its few merchandise formally launched in america. It’s just about a foregone conclusion that there might be a Xiaomi Mi Band 9 in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.
Including much more weight to this, quite a lot of new studies have surfaced not too long ago suggesting the Mi Band 9 has been making its method by way of varied certification businesses. Moreover, early rumors recommend the Mi Band 9 can have the identical 1.62-inch AMOLED show as final yr, however with a brighter and better decision display this time round. Not a lot else is understood simply but.
As for when? Let’s take a fast take a look at the corporate’s launch historical past. Remember we’re specializing in international launch dates, not the preliminary China-only launches.
- Mi Band 8 — Oct 26, 2023
- Mi Band 7 — June 21, 2022
- Mi Band 6 — April 30, 2021
As you possibly can see, Xiaomi has launched a brand new model of its Band yearly, although the precise international launch month has different considerably. It’s just about a given we’ll see the Mi Band 9 in 2024, although it’s a lot more durable to say when it would arrive within the yr, particularly given the Mi Band 8 launched so late. The corporate would seemingly need to give at the least near a yr’s house in between fashions, so I’d say we’re more likely to see the Mi Band 9 in late summer time or someday within the fall.
Do you have to watch for the Mi band 9?
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
There’s no want to attend for the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 as a result of the present mannequin isn’t even three months previous but. There’s seemingly near 9 months or extra earlier than a successor might be launched. The excellent news is that the Mi Band 8 is already probably the greatest price range trackers, so should you’re trying to economize, there’s no cause to not choose it up at this time.
Xiaomi Mi Band 8
Correct well being and health monitoring • Reasonably priced value level • Distinctive kind issue
As soon as once more, Xiaomi delivers a well-rounded health tracker at an approachable value.
The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 options an all-new strap design and the identical vibrant touchscreen show discovered on the earlier era. On the wrist, as a necklace, and even hooked up to a working shoe, the system tracks key health stats and affords helpful well being monitoring instruments to customers desirous to regulate their wellness. It is a highly effective, entry-level tracker at a fantastic value.
If the Mi Band doesn’t impress you, the HUAWEI Band 7 ($41 at Amazon) is a worthwhile different, though it’s a bit tougher to search out within the US. For these searching for one thing with a bit extra oomph, and don’t thoughts paying additional for the privilege, we additionally suggest the Fitbit Cost 6 ($159.95 at Amazon).