The first rumors about Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro (officially there is no longer the prefix “Mi”, but journalists and users continue to use it for convenience) came as a real shock, as Xiaomi never had a Pro version of the bracelet. The information turned out to be true – Mi Band 7 Pro has been officially unveiled. In this article, let’s examine how the new product differs from the basic Mi Band 7 and whether it’s worth overpaying for it.
The main difference is the larger display
Of course, the increased screen was the main change. The Mi Band 7 Pro has a 1.64-inch matrix with a pixel density of 326 dots per inch, and it takes up 70% of the body’s area. The company doesn’t disclose the resolution, but the pixels won’t be visible – the base Mi Band 7 has the same pixel density.
That said, the Mi Band 7’s key feature in the form of a watch widget on the locked screen hasn’t gone anywhere – you can watch the time even without raising your hand.
GPS module appeared – an important feature for athletes
Mi Band 7 Pro became the first Xiaomi fitness bracelet that allows tracking workouts without pairing with a smartphone. This was achieved thanks to the GPS chip (GLONASS is also supported), which determines the user’s location. With the help of this innovation, the bracelet can independently record the distance covered and calculate related indicators (like the number of calories burned).
The Mi Band 7 Pro supports 117 different workout modes and has received 5 ATM water protection – in this respect, it hasn’t faltered.
The battery life is slightly lower, but there is one BUT
According to official data, the Mi Band 7 will last up to 14 days without recharging, while the Mi Band 7 Pro will last up to 12 days. This difference is minor, but even here there’s a catch: the Pro model comes exclusively with an NFC chip, while the base Mi Band 7 is sold in modifications with and without it.
The 14 days of battery life information refers to the regular Band 7 without NFC – its improved model probably lasts around 12 days too (the manufacturer didn’t disclose this), so the battery life can be considered the same without recharging.
Now the important question, is it worth overpaying for the Pro model?
The basic Xiaomi Smart Band 7 is priced in China at $37 for the regular version and $45 for the NFC variant. Mi Band 7 Pro is significantly more expensive – $57.
The choice between Mi Band 7 and Mi Band 7 Pro is quite simple. If you are an athlete who runs at the stadium, rides a bike or the like, the GPS chip in the Pro model will be very useful, because putting a smartphone in your pocket is not always convenient. Also, Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro is needed for those who plan to regularly read notifications and other information from the bracelet – a larger screen to do it is definitely more convenient, and the overpayment is worth it.
In other cases, however, the Pro version makes little sense – if you plan to use the bracelet as an alarm clock or just glance at the notification icons and immediately reach for your smartphone to read them, then the Mi Band 7 will be fine. Plus, it’ll also work out if you’re exercising near your smartphone.
