Xiaomi has won its bet with its fitness bracelets, also called activity bracelets, ultra affordable, but packed with functions and tools. Now, as the annual update date approaches, we’re eagerly awaiting what the Chinese giant might have in store for us in its next fitness tracker.
The company hasn’t confirmed the existence of the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 at this time, but we’ve rounded up the rumors and some of our own wishlist items for the new device.
When will the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 be released?
Traditionally, Xiaomi tends to launch its fitness bracelets in the summer. Most of the latest releases arrived in China during June and then hit global markets in July.
The one notable exception was the Mi Band 6, which went on sale in early April in China and launched worldwide a few weeks later. Then the Mi Smart Band 6 NFC version became available worldwide in September 2021.
It is not yet clear whether Xiaomi is returning to its summer schedule or sticking to the new spring releases. An interesting rumor that has surfaced recently is from NoteBookCheck, which reported that Xiaomi is planning to unveil its 12 series of smartphones on March 15, 2022 via an online event.
It is then possible that the new Mi Smart Band 7 will be part of this announcement. If so, you should be able to get your hands on it in late March or early April.
How much will the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 cost?
Prices have always been very competitive in the Mi Smart Band range, as Xiaomi has been able to keep prices very affordable.
The Mi Smart Band 6 is priced at $44.99, slightly higher than previous models. The prices were as follows
We don’t expect Xiaomi to stray too far from this model with the Mi Smart Band 7, so expect it to cost under $50.
What new features should we expect with the Xiaomi Mi Band 7?
So far, Xiaomi has done a good job of downplaying rumors and leaks about the upcoming Mi Band 7. However, there are a few things that have come to light, so here’s what we’ve gleaned about the new model.
new design
The current 1.56-inch AMOLED display on the Mi Smart Band 6 is as big as it gets for a fitness band, as the larger it would be too big for most people’s wrists.
So if the much-talked-about larger screen becomes a reality, it will have to be wider rather than taller. We’ve seen an example of this before in the Redmi Smart Band Pro, which has a smaller but bigger 1.47-inch panel.
GadgetsandWearables has reported a Xiaomi patent application for a larger display, so it looks like this could be a real possibility for the Mi Smart Band 7.
Of course, it could also be a different model, maybe a Mi Smart Band 7 Pro? This would allow Xiaomi to retain its diamond aesthetic that has proven so popular, while offering a smartwatch-style wearable for those who prefer that approach.
Includes NFC
Since the Mi Band 6 is available in versions with NFC and without NFC (with a price difference of around 10 dollars), it would make sense to include NFC in all Mi Band 7 to simplify the range.
NFC is now an essential part of a wearable device, allowing you to pay for items with Google Pay without needing a smartphone or reaching for your wallet. Do you need a bottle of water after running? Tap the putative Mi Band 7 at the contactless payment point and you will be hydrated again.
We’d be surprised if Xiaomi continued to offer two models, as it makes more sense from a production perspective to have a single device that includes NFC as standard.
GPS
This is an outside bet, as adding GPS capabilities to a device like the Mi Band 7 would likely drive the price too high. But, if the aforementioned Pro version with a bigger screen does come to fruition, then perhaps another differentiator could be that it includes GPS. It’s very speculative of course, but it would be interesting to see a Standard and Pro range for the Mi Smart Band 7 range.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait long for Xiaomi to reveal the Mi Band 7, so be sure to check back regularly as we continue to update this article with the latest news and rumours. In the meantime, you can find our recommendations of the best fitness trackers to keep up with the competition.
Or check out the best smartwatches to buy right now.
Original article published in English on our sister site TechAdvisor UK.
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