Xiaomi Smart Band 7 in a comparison test: Which Mi Band is worth it?
A TEST REPORT from Nils Ahrensmeier 
on July 23, 2022, 10:00 | Write a comment
With the Smart Band 7, Xiaomi has launched the annual offshoot of the Mi Band series presented. We tested it against the Mi Band 5 and 6. Is it worth upgrading?
The Smart Band 7 has been given some new features, but also a new price accordingly. Xiaomi would like €60 for it, but the price is already €47. But what makes it better than its predecessors, which we already detail have tested?
Jump to section
Display:
The highlight of the Xiaomi Band is once again the large display. This year there's a larger, 1,62-inch (approx. 4 cm), AMOLED panel again. With 192 × 490 pixels and thus a resolution of 326 PPI, it is very sharp and can also do very well with a maximum of 500 nits. This year, for the first time, it is also possible to use it with an always-on display. This is super convenient and a very welcome innovation. Because depending on the watch face, the time, date or day are always displayed. Here I clearly prefer the Band 7, for me a wearable without an always-on display would no longer be an option, but that's (as I said) personal preference.
The Band 7 has an always-on display (Image: TechnikNews)
Sports:
The Mi Band series has always been known for its compactness yet accurate sports detection. Volume 7 continues that, but doesn't necessarily take it to a new level. The statistics such as steps or pulse are still quite accurate, especially in comparison to other watches such as the Galaxy Watch (4) or Huawei Watch (GT 3 Pro). The rule of thumb is that such values are only for orientation. The Band 7 was mostly an average of 300 steps next to the smartwatches. But what all tapes are: Waterproof. I never Probleme to take the fitness tracker to the swimming pool.
The Smart Band 7 has the same sensors as the 6 (Image: TechnikNews)
Battery of the Xiaomi Smart Band 7:
My biggest criticism of the Mi Band 6 at the time was the battery, which was gone in about 3-4 days. Before it was 7-8 for the Band 5 and a smooth 14 for the Mi Band 4. If you crank the Band 7 up to the max, i.e. continuous heart rate measurement, full brightness and notifications etc., then you will get it empty in 3-4 days. Otherwise, I mostly ended up with 7-8 days in the four weeks of testing, which then averages out to a week of battery life. Significantly better than the 6, but it can no longer match the old Mi Band 4 days. The charger is now a magnet, the charging of the 7 series is at least faster than that of the 6 series.
Other:
The Smart Band 7 continues to run on its own software, which is connected to an app. In my everyday life, it led to the fact that I didn't really like using it. The software is still jerky in places, but the app is very clear. I had that with the notifications Proproblem that with a WhatsApp backup, for example, each new Procent was recognized as a new notification. That's why I had to disable exactly these notifications. Unfortunately, there is still no NFC. This has to do with the banking situation in Europe, according to Xiaomi. So if you want to pay with the Mi Band, you can't.
The weather can still be called up with the Smart Band 7 (Image: TechnikNews)
Conclusion on the Xiaomi Smart Band 7:
The Smart Band 7 is once again the best Mi Band on the market. Do you have to upgrade from a 6er? No, unless you really want the always-on display. But if you have a 5 or older, or none at all, you can confidently reach for the Xiaomi Smart Band 7. At under €50, it's also in a price range that's worth every penny.
