Xiaomi has released a new generation of its mega-popular Mi Band fitness tracker. The wrist gadget received the number 7 in the title, an enlarged battery and a display. The revolution did not happen, but Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is definitely better than the previous generation, and its price tag is only a couple of three dollars higher. In the review below, you will find out whether it is worth buying an updated tracker, switching to it from a fitness watch or a model from another manufacturer.
Specifications Xiaomi Mi Band 7
- Display: 1.62″ AMOLED, 490×192 pixels (326 ppi), 500 nits maximum brightness
- Sensors: optical heart rate monitor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, proximity sensor
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
- NFC: No
- GPS: No
- Additional features: health tracking pedometer, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), sleep monitoring, breathing exercises, stress monitoring, women’s calendar, 120 sports modes, VO2 calculation, workout notification, recovery time
- Water resistance: Yes, 5 ATM
- Weight: 13.5 grams
- Battery: 180 mAh
- Autonomy: up to 15 days
- Price: from 1687 UAH
Design and materials
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 comes in a small rectangular black box. Inside: the fitness tracker itself, a strap, a magnetic charging cable and thick instructions. The cable for the new model is suitable for Mi Band 6 and vice versa.
Mi Band 7 was made thicker and slightly shorter than the previous generation (dimensions 46.5 × 20.7 × 12.25 mm). The frames around the display have become smaller, but we still have the same recognizable oval plastic capsule with a number of sensors on the rear panel.
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There are no physical buttons on the case. True, now Xiaomi is seen instead of the Mi inscription. The fitness tracker is water resistant and can dive up to 50 meters (5 ATM). The display of the capsule is covered with tempered glass.
The button strap is made of antibacterial plastic. It is not much different from the previous version, except that now there is an additional hole for the exit of water and sweat. The accessory fits snugly on the capsule and can only be removed with a strong enough pressure, so there is no need to worry about losing the tracker, as was sometimes the case in previous generations.
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 display
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is equipped with a 1.62-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 490 × 192 pixels (326 ppi). For comparison, the previous model had 486 × 192 pixels and a diagonal of 1.56 inches. But the number of ppi remained the same, but the maximum brightness increased – now it is 500 nits against 450 for the Mi Band 6.
The “bellied” capsule with a larger screen holds more information and is a little more convenient to tick with your fingers, swipe menu items or application lists. That is, the usable screen area has grown. But due to the small dimensions, it is still not very convenient to manage the tracker. Especially when compared to a fitness watch with all the same features, a similar price tag, but with the size of a regular watch.
The screen of Mi Band 7 is bright with rich colors. Pixels are almost invisible. They are noticeable only on some built-in dials.
In the settings there is auto brightness or manual adjustment. The display is perfectly visible on a bright day, so direct sunlight does not interfere with the use of the tracker.
Screen Xiaomi Mi Band 7 was equipped with an always-on display (Always-On-Display). This was not in any of the previous generations, but now it has finally appeared. To display the hours, date and day of the week, several special dials are provided. Depending on their style, the time display in AOD mode also changes. You can turn it off in the settings if you want. If you want to leave the function enabled, then you should be prepared to charge the fitness tracker much more often than usual, because Always-On-Display drains the battery very much. It is possible to optimize this case by setting the startup time of the always-on screen in the settings. For example, it can be turned off at night.
The in-app store has many different watch faces. But as always, there is almost nothing to choose from, so get ready to find a couple of three adequate designs with difficulty, so that you can use them in a circle until you get bored.
Functionality and interface
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 was equipped with an optical sensor for measuring heart rate and blood oxygen levels, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor and a barometer. But there is no NFC module in the global version. As is the GPS. NFC is only available in a modification for China and it works exclusively within the country. Compared to the previous generation, there are no changes in the number and quality of sensors.
The details of the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 filling are not disclosed, only the fresh Dialog chip is known. Therefore, the speed of work can only be judged when used. In general, the fitness tracker behaves as quickly and adequately as the Mi Band 6. There were no tangible improvements or, conversely, no deterioration. We can only say about the slightly smoother overall operation of the bracelet.
The clock and other basic information are displayed on the main screen of the novelty. Swipe down from the top opens notifications, and from the bottom up launches the menu. Swipe left or right to scroll through the built-in widgets (sleep, smartphone player control, weather, physical activity, and so on).
Mi Band 7 does not have a speaker and microphone, so it cannot receive calls. The tracker displays them on its screen, and in this case the call can only be rejected. But added replies to messages. True, only formulaic phrases.
The interface and its details are made conveniently and neatly. The app icons are stylish and large, the label text is mostly adequate to read, and the smallest font is in the settings menu. The section titles are too long, so they are not only written in small letters, but also constantly moving, making it impossible to read the description to the end. Sometimes this is annoying, because you have to wait a couple of seconds for the item name to return to its original position and be readable.
Smartphone connection
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 received an updated Bluetooth 5.2 module with which it connects to Android and iOS devices. Users can even choose from two available apps – the outdated MiFit has been replaced by Zepp Life ( Android and iOS ) and Mi Fitness ( Android and iOS ). They have slightly different interfaces, but the essence is clear and familiar to every user of wrist gadgets.
Both apps offer a wide range of devices to connect to and come with all the features you need. There is general information about the fitness tracker and its charge, various settings are available (notifications, alarm clock, messages, call display, detailed health information). There is also a built-in dial store and editor. You can download the screen you like to your device or create it yourself.
Health and sports features
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is able to measure the number of steps taken and distance, heart rate, PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The fitness tracker monitors sleep, measures its phases, can recognize breathing during sleep and stress levels.
From the new – it became possible to track cardio endurance (VO2 max). This is a measure of the body’s ability to process the maximum amount of oxygen during exercise. Based on these parameters, the tracker can give recommendations on the intensity of the load of sports. The device also gives advice on post-workout recovery.
Athletes will enjoy a significant increase in sports modes – now the bracelet supports 120 of them (running, walking, Pilates, swimming, riding, and so on). This is four times more than it was in the last generation. There is even chess and checkers. True, it is not clear how exactly the fitness tracker determines activity in these two cases.
Mi Band 7 measures heart rate and sleep well. But with the count of steps and the determination of SpO2, he has a slight inaccuracy. The measurements were compared with those of the simpler Amazfit Neo fitness watch and the flagship Amazfit GTS 2 model, as well as a conventional pulse oximeter. To take more accurate readings, it is recommended to tighten the bracelet strap as tightly as possible so that moisture does not get between the skin and the sensor and there is as little distance as possible.
Autonomy Xiaomi Mi Band 7
Xiaomi Mi Band 7 received an increased battery capacity of 180 mAh. The last generation had 125 mAh. The Chinese officially report 15 days of work with minimal use and give up to 9 days with heavy use. In fact, the numbers are slightly less. The fitness tracker can indeed be charged every two weeks, but then almost all functions must be turned off. In this case, the question arises of the expediency of the purchase, because the clock, steps and pulse can be viewed even on the second or third generation of the bracelet.
If you use all the features, including Always-On-Display, the charge will last for 3-4 days. In my case, with active heart rate measurement and sleep quality detection enabled, with health monitoring, notifications and active AOD, the bracelet “ate” 25-28% of the charge per day. If you remove the always-on screen, then the consumption drops to 20% per day, which means that the battery will sit down in five days. The Mi Band 7 is charged using the supplied magnetic charger for about an hour and a half.
