Xiaomi MiBand 7: A cute and compact companion 

I have never thought of myself as a smart band user, and therefore had no desire to own one but after using the Xiaomi Smart band 7 (also known as the MiBand 7), I have been converted. 

Often referred to as a smartwatch, the Xiaomi MiBand 7 is the latest device in Xiaomi’s line of affordable fitness trackers. Emphasis on affordable.  

According to the manufacturer, the latest MiBand builds on the improvements of its predecessor while keeping the improved device within the realm of affordability fans of the brand have come to know it for.  

Following a recent introduction to the brand, my reference point for this fitness tracker was the MiBand 5 as well as another tracker gifted to me.

What I liked

The first thing you notice on the MiBand 7 is the updated design of the clock and home screen, which differ significantly from its predecessor. The menu on this model is also updated to make it easier to navigate on a larger screen than its predecessor. 

I absolutely loved the feature that notifies you of incoming calls and text messages as I often put my phone down, forget about it and miss important calls.

Additionally, I am able to skim over texts at a glance and prioritise responses based on the level of urgency of the texts. 

While I’m not the most avid fitness bunny, I do what I can to stay fit and the Mi Band 7 comes with various tracking modes to accommodate a range of preferred exercise modes. This also includes exercise in shallow water as ​​the device comes with a water resistance rating of 5ATM (50 metres in depth). 

“It can be worn in the swimming pool, while swimming near the shore, or during other shallow-water activities.”

The smart band also allows users to set a reminder to walk around, which is a welcome feature for those with office-bound jobs, like myself. 

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Lastly, the device comes with a feature to track menstrual cycles, which helps when you’re away from your mobile device and unable to input the necessary tracking data to your preferred tracker. 

While I used it with the basic black strap that it comes with, the device can be customised with bands in colours that are more to your liking at a very minimal additional cost.

What I did not like

If you’re not the type of person who is accustomed to wearing watches and fitness trackers, wearing the band can take some getting used to. This also made it quite hard for me to get into the habit of using the device’s sleep-tracking function because I ended up taking it off on multiple occasions whenever it was time for bed. 

I was also not too fond of the inaccuracy in steps counted by the device, both in everyday mode and in the mode that counts how many steps are taken in a short period after you have been reminded to get up and move around.

While I did not personally experience this downside, as I am not a runner, many who have reviewed the device have expressed disappointment at the fact that the data from your running or jogging sessions may not be recorded if you do not take your mobile device along on the run. 

Xiaomi MiBand 7 specs

The device comes with a 1.62 Amoled Display, High Res 192×490 and up to 500 nits brightness. 

The MiBand 7 comes with 120 fitness modes, a step up from the 30 fitness modes on MiBand 6. 

The manufacturer also promises that the battery capacity on the MiBand 7 has been incresed from 125mAh on MiBand 6 to 180 mAh. 

The device requires about 2 hours of charging time for 15 days of battery life. 

Charging is also easy thanks to the magnetic snap-on charger that the device comes with. 

The brand also boasts a new blood oxygen sensor on this device along with 24-hour heart rate monitoring as well as improved sensor technology and Bluetooth 5.2. Features that people who would like to track their cardiovascular fitness might like. 

Additional notable features: stopwatch, alarm clock (that vibrates on your arm to wake you up), timer, find my phone, phone unlock, event reminder, do not disturb mode, lock screen, on-band music control and camera remote control to name a few.

It retails at stores like Incredible Connection, Takealot and the new Xiaomi stores in Sandton and Cape Town for about R899. 

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