Wearables are most commonly associated with devices that strap onto your wrist, but that’s by no means your only option.
Xiaomi is exploring alternatives on its new Mi Band 8 fitness tracker, following in the footsteps of Fitbit and others by promoting the tracker as a potential necklace or even shoe accessory.
A design change makes this possible, with Xiaomi replacing the common unibody strap (where the tracker snaps in the middle) of older Smart Bands with a new two-piece design. Each half of the strap now snaps on either side, like what you’ll find on the Apple Watch.
But it also makes the Mi Band 8 more versatile, allowing the device to be worn elsewhere on the body. A simple ring allows it to transform into a necklace, while a running clip allows it to be attached to your shoe.
Of course, this redesign means that all previous Mi Band accessories are not compatible with the new model. It’s a shame, considering how similar it is to the Mi Band 7 in many other ways.
Xiaomi
It retains the sleek pill-shaped design, with slim bezels surrounding a 1.62-inch OLED touchscreen. You can still choose from over 150 different exercise modes, with 5ATM water resistance making it well suited for swimming.
Fitness and sleep data are generated through monitors for your heart rate, blood oxygen and VO2 max, although these are all more accurate when the device is on your wrist. It can also track stress levels, count your steps, and track calories burned. NFC support means you can use it for mobile payments, but this is only available on certain models in China.
Other key features include support for phone notifications, an always-on display and a range of simple games, including a boxing title that relies on the accelerometer for air punches. The elusive built-in GPS is still not available, but that’s no surprise at this price.
Launching alongside the Xiaomi 13 Ultra flagship phone and Pad 6 tablets, the Mi Band 8 starts at ¥249 in China (around £29/$33), but upgrading to the NFC version costs ¥279 (around £32/$37). ). You’ll likely end up paying closer to the £54.99 / $59.99 for the Mi Band 7 when it launches internationally, but European pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed.
It again seems like a contender for the best fitness tracker.
