We already know everything there is to know about the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, but that doesn't mean we can get the global version just yet.
Repeating the release cycle we often see with Chinese fitness trackers, Xiaomi's premium lineup launched in the company's home country last summer.
But we are still waiting for its launch in the UK, Europe and beyond.
Below we'll provide information on the latest release date and price rumors, as well as list all the major improvements we've noticed with the debut of the Smart Band 8 Pro.
When will the global version be released?
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As we said, Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro was announced in August 2023 for China, but we still have no official word from the company regarding its global release.
This long wait is in fact not in line with the previous generation, Smart Band Pro 7, which released its global version in October 2022 (only a few months after being released in China).
However, a recent leak suggests that the eighth generation Pro tracker model may already be available.
According to the certification files published on the Malaysian device certification database SIRIM-QAS shown above, the Smart Band 8 Pro has been approved for release on November 23.
Presentations like this are usually a strong sign that an official announcement is imminent.
We doubt we'll hear anything in the first quarter of 2024 (January 1 - March 31), although Xiaomi has a habit of releasing its devices globally in April, as we saw with the wide launch of the Mi Band 6.
How much does the global version cost?
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In China, the Smart Band 8 Pro costs 399 yuan, which works out to around $55 / £45 / €50.
However, on these Global Edition devices, we generally see little gain.
For example, the Smart Band 7 Pro is currently available in the UK for around £75. We already know that the entry-level Smart Band 8 Global Edition is available for £40.
Taking all this into account, we estimate the Smart Band 8 Pro Global Edition will cost around £75-80 or $95-100 / €90-95 if you go with Transfer.
Official specifications and new features
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The Band 8 Pro features the same hybrid fitness tracker and smartwatch design that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
At first glance it looks very similar to the Band 7 Pro, the series of sensors (GPS, heart rate, SpO2) also lags behind the previous generation and there is no music storage support.
This isn't surprising considering Xiaomi's consistent history of offering minimal updates between generations, but there are some new features that are important to keep in mind. Let's explore it.
Bigger and better shows
Xiaomi increased the screen size with the Band 8 Pro to 1.73 inches (from 1.63 inches for the Band 7 Pro).
While this is a positive change, it is not necessarily an improvement in appearance per se. The overall dimensions of the Band 8 Pro have also increased, to 46 x 33.35 x 9.99mm. For comparison, the Band 7 Pro measures 44.7 x 28.8 x 11mm.
So, thanks to the slightly larger body, we have a larger screen - and the device is also slightly thinner than the previous model.
According to Xiaomi's spec sheet, the resolution has also increased due to the larger screen size. The Band 8 Pro can output 336 x 448 pixels, a change from the 280 x 456 pixels we saw on the Band 7 Pro.
Improved operating system and widgets
Announcing the Band 8 Pro, Xiaomi teased an improved user interface and new hardware. Since we don't have the device, it's hard to know the extent of this improvement, but it should make the tracker a little easier to navigate.
With no physical buttons in the design, this is a welcome change.
According to Xiaomi, there should be a new set of faces to choose from, as well as tools for tracking daily activity, contactless payments (China only), and more.
Increase battery life
The Band 8 Pro has a larger battery than the previous generation, perhaps because the body is slightly larger. While the Band 7 Pro has a 235 mAh unit, Xiaomi installed a 285 mAh battery for the latest generation.
Of course, this means longer battery life. Xiaomi estimates the device will last 14 days under "normal use", compared to 12 days for the Band 7 Pro.
We found those ratings to be pretty accurate when we tested the Band 7 Pro, even though it involved disabling many features. In fact, we think most people will find this tracker to last between 4 and 7 days and we expect it to be a little better than the Band 8 Pro.
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