Xiaomi Band 6 or Xiaomi Band 7 | Which is the Better Option?
Trying to decide between the Xiaomi Band 6 and the newer Band 7? Both offer impressive features at budget-friendly prices, making them popular choices for fitness trackers.
But with some key differences, selecting the right one depends on your needs. This guide will break down the functionalities of each band, helping you choose the ideal companion for your active lifestyle.
We'll explore the key upgrades in the Band 7, including display size, health monitoring features, and workout tracking capabilities. We'll also consider the Band 6's strengths, like battery life and affordability.
Also Read: Xiaomi Band 7 Review | Is the Xiaomi Band 7 Worth It in 2024?
Should You Buy the Xiaomi Band 6 or Xiaomi Band 7?
Deciding between the Xiaomi Band 6 and 7 depends on your fitness goals and budget. The Band 6 offers a solid foundation for basic activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and heart-rate monitoring, all at a lower price point. It's ideal if you're new to fitness trackers or want a casual way to monitor your daily steps and sleep patterns. However, if you're a more serious exerciser, the Band 7 might be worth the upgrade. It boasts continuous blood oxygen monitoring, advanced training metrics like VO2 max, and additional sports modes. These features provide deeper insights into your workouts and can help you optimize your training. Ultimately, the Band 6 is a fantastic budget-friendly option for basic fitness tracking, while the Band 7 caters to those seeking a more data-driven approach to their workouts.
Highlights of the Xiaomi Band 7
- A Bright Large AMOLED Screen - The new Mi Band 7 features a 1.62-inch screen which is slightly larger and brighter at 500 nits than the previous version.
- Long Battery Life - The Mi Band 7 has a bigger battery that offers up to 14 days of battery life which is outstanding for a device so small.
- Tons of Sensors - The Mi Band 7 has all the sensors you will ever need and want in a fitness tracker along with notifications for health metrics.
- Smart features - The Mi Band 7 has tons of fitness modes with automatic activity detection that make it a good fitness tracker.
- Water Resistant - With a 5ATM rating, the Mi Band 7 can be submerged for up to 50 meters in water for up to 10 minutes.
Highlights of the Xiaomi Band 6
- A Large AMOLED Screen - The Mi Band 6 features a 1.56-inch screen which is 46% larger than the previous version.
- Long Battery Life - It offers 14 days of battery life which is outstanding for a device so small.
- Tons of Sensors - The Band 6 has all the sensors you will ever need and want in a fitness tracker.
- Smart features - There are tons of smart features that make it a good smartwatch alternative.
- Water Resistant - With a 5ATM rating, the Mi Band 6 can be submerged for up to 50 meters in water.
Is there any Difference in the Design of the Xiaomi Band 7 over the Xiaomi Band 6?
The Xiaomi Band 7’s design is almost identical to the Mi Band 6. The body has the same shape as the Mi band 6, however, the body is slightly larger and heavier this generation.
The display has also increased slightly so, from the front, the Xiaomi Band 7 looks different. The pill-shaped design stays with no physical buttons, crowns, or dials.
The underside has a magnetic charger for charging and houses sensors for tracking. The Xiaomi Band 7 is durable and feels great, thanks to the TPU body and strap.
Both the Xiaomi Band 7 and Band 6 are rated 5ATM for water resistance, which means they can be submerged underwater for up to 50 meters for 10 minutes.
The Mi Band 6 and Band 7 bands can be easily replaced. The mechanism is the same, simply pop out the device and replace the band. You can find bands in multiple vibrant colors, my favorites are neon, black, and khaki.
Does the Xiaomi Band 7 Have a Better Display than the Xiaomi Band 6?
The display is an area where the Xiaomi Band 7 improves over the Mi Band 6. The new model has a larger display which is also brighter, this is a good improvement but nothing groundbreaking.
The new version also has support for always on display which is an awesome addition.
The Xiaomi Band 7 features a 1.622" AMOLED display that is bright and vibrant. In contrast, the Mi Band 6 has a 1.56-inch display.
The increase in size allows users to check text messages, calls, notifications, and more, better than ever. The display also has a brightness of 500 nits which is brighter than the Mi Band 6 at 450 nits and good enough for most situations.
The Xiaomi Band 7 has a resolution of 192 x 490 pixels. At 326 PPI (pixels per inch), the Xiaomi Band 7 display is sharp too, allowing users to read texts better. Images and watch faces on the Xiaomi Band 7 are clear and sharp. Speaking of watch faces, the Xiaomi Band 7 comes with 100+ built-in fun watch faces.
Overall, the display of the Mi Band 7 is simply amazing and is unrivaled in price point. It's large, bright and AMOLED, there's nothing more you can ask for. I love it!
Which Offers Better Performance: Xiaomi Band 6 or Xiaomi Band 7?
One disappointing aspect is that the Xiaomi Band 7 has no upgrades in the performance department. While the performance is good, an upgrade would help make things smoother and snappier and get rid of the occasional stutter.
The Xiaomi Band 7 still is smooth and responsive. Scrolling through texts and menus is smooth, unlike most other smart bands. You can switch between watch faces in an instant too.
The Mi Band 7 is definitely better than Mi Band 6 but it's not perfect. Xiaomi has even improved the SpO2 sensor yet it's not medically accurate.
Given the size, I'm surprised at how good the tracking is on the Xiaomi Band 7. The band is fairly accurate for step counting and heart rate monitoring but struggles a bit when it comes to sleep monitoring.
The SpO2 and heart sensor help, but it's not as accurate as smartwatches.
The Xiaomi Band 7 has a host of sports and activity tracking capabilities too. With 30+ fitness modes and automatic recognition for 6 fitness modes, I rarely had trouble tracking my fitness activities. The automatic recognition worked well and got the activity right every single time.
Overall, I'm happy with the performance offered even though it's not significantly better compared to the previous generation.
Which has Better Features: Xiaomi Band 6 or Xiaomi Band 7?
The Xiaomi Band 7 is not just a fitness tracker, it's a smart band too. This means the band comes with a host of smart features that will allow it to replace smartwatches.
To take advantage of all the features of the Xiaomi Band 7, you need to pair it with a smartphone running Android 6.0 or later or an iPhone with iOS 10.0 or later.
Both devices come with features like music control, find my phone, call and text notifications, weather alerts, and more. All of these features work really well too.
Apart from this, the host of health fitness tracking features is just impressive. You get stress monitoring, female health tracking, breathing suggestions, and more. Both bands may be tiny, but they sure are loaded to the brim with features.
Where most smartwatches fail, these two shine. They don't just offer features but the features work well. For most smartwatches, the features are just gimmicks while Xiaomi has put in work and made it work.
Which Has a Better Battery: Xiaomi Band 6 or Xiaomi Band 7?
The Xiaomi Band 7 shines in the battery department too. The 180 mAh Li-Poly battery found in the Band 7 trumps the 125mAh Li-Po on the Band 6 and because of this it can last for up to 14 days.
The larger battery also allows the Xiaomi Band 7 to support features like an Always-on display and Oxygen level tracking.
Depending on the features you use, battery life could reduce which is standard. The Xiaomi Band 7 uses magnetic charging which is convenient. It takes under 2 hours for the battery to get charged from 0 to 100, same goes for the Band 6.
Is the Xiaomi Band 7 worth the upgrade?
The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 offers a slightly bigger, brighter screen, along with better internals and a larger battery. so it is worth the upgrade. However, that's only the case if you are currently using an older version of the Xiaomi Band. Since the Band 7 offers only a better display and a slight improvement in the battery over the Band 6, it's not worth upgrading to the Xiaomi Band 7 just yet, if you have the Band 6.
Xiaomi Band 6 or Xiaomi Band 7: Takeaway
Both the Xiaomi Band 6 and Xiaomi Band 7 offer impressive features and value for money. The Xiaomi Band 7 has a larger display, longer battery life, and advanced health and fitness tracking features, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize fitness tracking with a larger and more legible display.
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