Watch straps
–14%
37,90 EUR was 43,90 EUR
Xiaomi Braided bracelet with quick-release fastener
22 mm, Nylon
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro tested: the affordable alternative to a smartwatch
19/3/2024
Translation: machine translated
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro looks and behaves like a smartwatch. The test shows: The tracker, which costs less than 70 francs or euros, is actually an alternative to a watch.
Is it still a fitness tracker or already a smartwatch? The transitions between the wearable categories are fluid. This can be seen in the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, which looks like a smartwatch but doesn't have an app store.
The big difference to the Apple Watch or watches with the Android operating system Wear OS: there is no app store and I can't install any additional programmes. I have to make do with what Xiaomi has integrated right from the start. Software updates are possible, but there will hardly be any new functions.
Technology can be this cheap
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro costs just under 70 francs or euros. This puts the Smart Band in the mid-range of fitness trackers, but Android watches cost at least twice as much. If you want an Apple Watch, you'll spend at least three times as much.
The Smart Band is particularly good value, or cheap, or whatever you want to call it, given the value you get for it.
Source: Lorenz Keller
A tracker with a watch look
At first and second glance, the Smart Band is very reminiscent of the Apple Watch. From the rectangular shape of the screen to the integration of the wristband into the housing. There are of course differences in the details, with the screen being more
elongated than Apple's. more elongated than Apple's.
In spite of this, the Xiaomi model looks more like a smartwatch than a classic fitness wristband. The 1.74-inch AMOLED screen is nice and large and easy to read. The brightness of up to 600 nits is sufficient to make the display easy to read in sunlight.
The preset dials conceal the thick black borders around the screen very well. This is because they are also based on dark base colours that blend seamlessly into the edges. If you install a light-coloured watch face, the frame is clearly visible.
Source: Lorenz Keller
I was surprised that I was able to install hundreds of different watch faces via the app. Not everything suits my taste, many of them are quite colourful and wild. But I had no problem finding some appealing variants, which I can then also customise in the details.
Case: light, high-quality and saved in the right place
The watch, including the supplied strap, weighs just 38 grams. The Smart Band is therefore barely noticeable on the wrist and can also be worn comfortably overnight. The lightness is due to the fact that Xiaomi uses a metal frame, but the rest of the housing is made of plastic. This does not interfere with everyday use; the manufacturer has certainly saved in the right place.
Source: Lorenz Keller
I also like the wristband supplied. It's not made of silicone, by the way, but of TPU plastic, which is supposed to be even more durable. This material feels very similar on the skin. If you don't like the plastic, you can buy additional straps. They are interchangeable - not a matter of course in this price range.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The Xiaomi clasp is well made, but you can only use the manufacturer's straps. After all, Xiaomi has launched an entire collection on the market - in leather, textile and even a Milanese strap made of stainless steel. That brings back the Apple Watch vibes.
Watch straps
–14%
37,90 EUR was 43,90 EUR
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro leather strap with quick-release fastener
Calfskin, Stainless steel
Battery life is a grab bag
The battery life is very good, or not so good, depending on the settings. By switching functions on or off, I can control how often I need to connect the device to the mains
First of all, I simply activated everything: the always-on display, continuous heart rate monitoring, all-day blood oxygen tracking, stress monitoring, sleep tracking and all notifications. The result: the Smart Band's battery runs out after around four days. That's a bit disappointing.
So I try the other extreme: I still count my steps and use the sleep tracking and notifications. I only measure my pulse, blood oxygen and stress manually. In addition, the watch only activates the screen when I lift my wrist or tap the screen. This extends the battery life to a good 14 days.
Source: Lorenz Keller
With a little poking around, I find out that the always-on display in particular is a battery guzzler. If I switch on the permanent screen in the minimum configuration, then instead of 14 days of battery life, it only lasts just under six days.
This leaves me in an annoying dilemma. I really appreciate the always-on display because it makes it easy for me to read the time. In economy mode, I always have to lift my arm with a demonstrative, not entirely natural movement so that the display switches on reliably. It also feels like it takes a second too long. So I'm torn as to whether I should sacrifice convenience or battery life.
Data collector in all situations
Despite the low price, you hardly have to make any compromises when it comes to fitness and health: The sensor measures heart rate and blood oxygen, 150 different sports can be recorded with their own training modes. Only an ECG is not possible.
Xiaomi has also integrated a GPS chip, which is used for tracking running routes. It has access to the five satellite systems BeiDou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS. However, the precision tested was only mediocre when I was travelling without my smartphone. If I had it with me, the route recordings were much more accurate, as the smartphone's localisation was then also used.
For me, one thing is clear: if I want ultra-accurate tracking, then I buy a sports watch or even a chest strap with a sensor. For hobby use, however, the Sport Band is easily sufficient.
Source: Lorenz Keller
I really liked the sleep tracking, which provided precise data. The watch even automatically recognised and recorded the half-hour power nap in the afternoon. The vitality value that Xiaomi calculates based on WHO recommendations is also exciting. This increases step by step with exercise and sport and should reach at least 100 after a week. If not, this is motivation to step up your activities.
The app is okay, not quite as clear and sometimes graphically a little plain, but not overloaded either. By default, the data is stored in the cloud, but you can also deactivate this. The measurements can also be synchronised with other apps, for example Google Fit, Suunto or Strava.
Source: Lorenz Keller
In a nutshell
Surprisingly high quality for the money
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro is surprisingly similar to a smartwatch - and at a price of less than 70 francs or euros. Although you can't install any additional apps, Xiaomi has thought of all the important features. Fitness and health applications naturally take centre stage.
The large and attractive screen and the interchangeable wristbands are impressive. The workmanship and plastic casing are fine for this price category.
Overall, the combination of watch look and fitness tracker is ideal for anyone who doesn't want to spend a lot of money and is satisfied with the basic functions without the possibility of expansion. The price/performance ratio is excellent.
Pro
- Good workmanship
- Fair price
- High-quality screen
- Interchangeable wristband
- Many fitness and health functions
Contra
- Screen switches on with a delay
- Always-on display massively reduces battery life
- Integrated GPS not entirely precise
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
lorenz.keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.