Xiaomi Mi Band 8 global edition: Release date approaches

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 was released back in April 2023, but we're still waiting for a global release. But now it seems that could be close.

We've seen the Global Version arriving at some online retailers – although we're still waiting for official confirmation. The Mi Band 7 is still listed on the official Mi Store for now.

The Mi Band 8 brings minimal physical upgrades over its predecessor, but some significant improvements under the hood.

The budget fitness tracker range has been a colossal hit since 2014, with strong features and a low price, in comparison to the likes of the Fitbit Charge 5 and Inspire 3.

Here's everything you need to know.

Global release date and price

There's no current official release date around the Mi Band 8 or Mi Band 8 Pro. The official Mi Store still shows the Mi Band 7, but we're likely to see a release date of the end of September or October.

 However, the Mi Band 8 Global Version is already available on Chinese reseller AliExpress, which ships around the world.

It has a list price on AliExpress of £49.78 – but the company has already slashed the price to £29 and offers free shipping.

Xiaomi band 8 will retail for CNY 249 (which is around $35). There is set to be a NFC version for CNY 299 ($43) – but there's no confirmed international prices or release date. All indications are that it will retain the same £40/$50 price point when a global version emerges.

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 key specs

The Mi Band 8 still offers a 1.62-inch, 192 x 490-pixel AMOLED always-on display, which was introduced on the previous generation.

While the screen resolution or size hasn’t changed, it is brighter and has been treated to a larger 60Hz refresh rate.

> Our guide to the best fitness trackers.

Read our full Xiaomi Mi Band 8 vs Mi Band 8 comparison guide.

New style and better battery life

Battery life has also been beefed up, and the Mi Band 8 is quoted as lasting 16 days between charges, and 6 days if you use the always-on display. That’s up from 14 days on the Mi Band 7.

Xiaomi

As we reported from early rumors, Xiaomi has changed the straps, which now clip into the module directly – which looks far more modern and attractive.

And Xiaomi has focused on increasing the number of strap choices. By and large, Mi Bands have been left with charmless, rubber bands that hold the module in place. The new straps certainly elevate the design, and give the impression of a design change.

Xiaomi has also doubled down on the Mi Band’s ability to clip onto clothing and still track movement, and it also showcased its ability to track metrics from running shoes – however, the extent of this data and insights is unclear.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi is getting deeper into the insights game, however, and the Mi Band 8 will use its improved accelerometer sensor to plug into fitness courses in the Mi Fitness app, which are based on movement.

We hope this rolls out to an international audience, and we’re excited to see what kind of insights it could provide.