All of the options I need to see

The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 (a.ok.a. the Xiaomi Good Band 8 in Europe) has an extremely lengthy checklist of options contemplating it prices below $50, which we at the moment advocate for finances customers in our greatest health tracker information. Yearly the subsequent Mi Band arrives bringing additional refinements to the sequence, usually delivering options beforehand reserved for way 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 via contact, which is usually a bit tough with such a small show. I’d wager that is largely about chopping prices, however it’s additionally seemingly no less than slightly 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 would add a tiny little bit of bulk over the present mannequin and would litter up the design barely.

NFC shouldn’t be reserved only for China

The Chinese language model of the Mi Band 8 contains NFC for cellular funds, which is a primary for the corporate’s finances tracker. The band at the moment works with AliPay and WeChat Pay. That’s nice, however what concerning the worldwide model? Xiaomi has opted to not embody the function in any respect. It will be good to see the Mi Band 9 carry this function to all variations, particularly because the Chinese language model’s fee providers are already obtainable in different international locations all through Europe and Asia.

NFC is without doubt one of the most sought-after options for the Mi Band, proper subsequent to GPS, I’d wager. Whereas the Mi Band 8 can use your telephone’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 provide GPS baked-in.

Now I do know what you’re pondering: 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 may appear pointless since there’s already a Mi Band Professional sequence, however these trackers are usually a bit nearer to an entry smartwatch than a health tracker. A few of us need one thing small and reasonably priced just like the Mi Band 8 however are prepared to pay a tad extra for helpful extras.

The Mi Band’s largest weak spot has at all times been software program and sadly, that’s nonetheless the case at present.

Up to now, the corporate supplied two official apps, each with completely different UIs and have units; this was greater than slightly complicated. The Mi Band 8 is simply suitable with the Mi Health app and that’s it, because the Mi Band doesn’t work with third get together 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 loads of customization choices. For instance, there’s no option to change from metrics to US/Imperial. It’s additionally a bit buggy, because it’s fairly widespread to have connectivity issues between the app and the watch. Navigating the app isn’t so dangerous, however there are loads 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 nearly good. If Xiaomi may enhance the app expertise it could have a health band that’s arguably simply pretty much as good as trackers that price double and even triple the worth.

As I discussed above, the Mi Band 7 and earlier additionally labored with one other app, known 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 dangerous if there have been third-party health app help, however you’ll be able to’t even use one thing like Google Match instead both.

A revamped app would go a great distance, however I may dwell with Mi Health if I may sync my information to and from different apps, or if I may use a third get together app altogether as a substitute. Whereas I perceive Xiaomi needs to maintain the deal with its ecosystem, it additionally makes the band very irritating to make use of for these exterior of China. I need to see this modification with the Mi Band 9.

The Mi Band is without doubt one of the hottest finances trackers and has been a giant success for the corporate. The Mi Band can be considered one of its few merchandise formally launched in the US. It’s just about a foregone conclusion that there will probably 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 reviews have surfaced just lately suggesting the Mi Band 9 has been making its means via varied certification companies. Moreover, early rumors recommend the Mi Band 9 may 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 thought simply but.

As for when? Let’s take a fast take a look at the corporate’s launch historical past. Bear in mind 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’ll be able to see, Xiaomi has launched a brand new model of its Band yearly, although the precise international launch month has various considerably. It’s just about a given we’ll see the Mi Band 9 in 2024, although it’s a lot harder to say when it’s going to arrive within the yr, particularly given the Mi Band 8 launched so late. The corporate would seemingly need to give no less than near a yr’s house in between fashions, so I’d say we’re prone to see the Mi Band 9 in late summer time or someday within the fall.

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 will probably be launched. The excellent news is that the Mi Band 8 is already among the finest finances trackers, so should you’re wanting to economize, there’s no motive to not choose it up at present.

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 further for the privilege, we additionally advocate the Fitbit Cost 6 ($159.95 at Amazon).