Xiaomi has released a Pro version of its famous connected bracelet with the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro. But what does it really bring more compared to the basic model? We tell you everything in this complete test.
Design and screen
The screen goes to 1.64 inches and comes, compared to previous models, in a wider and rectangular format. The design is reminiscent of a connected watch rather than a fitness tracker and seems of good quality despite the ubiquity of plastic.
| Pros | Cons |
| Large AMOLED screen | The screen could be a bit brighter |
| Neat design | Brightness is not manually adjustable |
| Adaptive screen brightness | No built-in speaker |
The transition from an elongated format to a rectangular format pleases me a lot. Firstly because it’s more beautiful and more elegant, but also because the screen is more readable than on the thinner previous models. Compared to the Smart Band 7, the screen diagonal has only increased from 1.62 to 1.64 inches. But what is displayed is simply better distributed. The display is more logical and clearer, everything is easier to read.
The dimensions of the Pro: are 44.7 x 28.8 x 11 mm and a weight of 20.5 grams. By comparison, the Smart Band 7 measures 46.5 x 20.7 x 12.25mm and weighs 13.5 grams. This means that the tracker has not only shrunk a bit in length but also in thickness. Despite this extra weight, the device is almost as comfortable to wear and barely noticeable on the arm.
The closure system has been reviewed and the solution chosen here, with the thorn, closes better in my opinion and also holds better. The bracelet is also again made of plastic (TPU), the replacement should be offered in several colors. Speaking of colors. You have the choice between black and white. We received the dark version to test it. Both variants are made of plastic, but the frame, with its painting, wants to give the impression of being made of metal.
Once again, there is nothing to quibble about on the finish. Despite the plastic, the bracelet looks more costly than it actually is. The AMOLED screen is also very nice. The pixel density remains at 326 PPI for a resolution of 280 x 456 pixels. The 500 nits actually ensure sufficient brightness, but I had some hope that Xiaomi would add a layer of it for the Pro version. But I admit that I nitpick a little on this point. Even outdoors, the screen is generally easy to read.
Unfortunately, Xiaomi is taking a step back when it comes to brightness. While the Smart Band 7 ushered in a manual brightness adjustment, again I can only choose one level out of five. It’s a bit weird. On the other hand, the long-awaited ambient light sensor is finally here and automatically adapts the brightness if you select this mode in the settings.
Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro
After the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 (test), Xiaomi also presented the Pro model and launched it in Europe. This Pro version takes over all the functions of the basic model and adds GPS and a slightly larger AMOLED screen. It is therefore a wearable that somewhat blurs the boundaries between the bracelet and the connected watch – at least in appearance.
On the technical side, there is not much change compared to the standard model. This is why the designation “Pro” seems a bit exaggerated to me.
Interface and uses
Using the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro is simple and is done via the screen. So there is no physical control element like a crown or a button.
| Pros | Cons |
| Optimized interface | Still app chaos |
| Intuitive use | Too many steps to reach desired sport mode |
| . | Seriously annoying vibration motor |
The big highlight of this model is, in my opinion, the clear structure of the interface The various screens exploit the width of the panel perfectly so that even the mole captain typing these lines can pick up all the info at a glance frantic eye along the way. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for the entire software experience. Thus, for the music widget, I could easily be shown the title of the song rather than the first letters.
The same goes for notifications. While you receive every WhatsApp message, weather, and incoming call information via return mail on your wrist, you can only read the first few letters. I also noticed that the emojis are still not all displayed on WhatsApp.
And Xiaomi just can’t seem to bring order to its app chaos. When setting up, I first tried Zepp Life (previously Mi Fit), but the QR code cannot be scanned. You cannot use this app, which Smart Band 7 supports without issue, with the Pro variant.
So let’s try the Mi Fit app. Again, it took me several attempts before the code could be scanned. But you can also find the model in the app, and the pairing itself then works without problems. The app chaos is also annoying because the two apps don’t offer the same functionality. Google Fit is supported by Zepp Life, but not by Mi Fitness. For the Smart Band 8, I finally want a reasonable catalog from Xiaomi!
Otherwise, I am not overlooking any hardware buttons or other physical items for use. If we swipe down, we see the notifications. A swipe up takes you to the app drawer. A swipe to the right presents you with quick settings and a swipe to the left takes you through the various widgets.
I find it a little annoying to choose an activity that goes beyond walking, running, or biking. Sometimes you have to go through a lot of steps before you get to the desired sport mode. Just swipe up, tap “Workout” and select the type of sport.
You’ll only find a handful of disciplines there – and you’ll have to tap down again to see more. There are then different selection possibilities such as “Dance” or “Ball sports”, which combine several sports. Just tap on it and search for the appropriate discipline. Or you stay on the previous screen and choose another menu at the very bottom where you can even select something like groceries.
It’s great that there are so many sports modes supported, it’s pretty average or not at all great that you have to work your way through the menu. Otherwise, the Mi-Fitness app at least gives you the possibility to organize the apps and widgets according to your wishes. It is also in this application that you will find something to change the dial. Five are pre-installed, you can download more online.
Features and Tracking
Pulse, SpO2, sleep tracking, cycle tracks, and more. The Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro can do just about everything the Smart Band 7 can do – GPS and more!
| Pros | Cons |
| GNSS/GPS | Fewer sports modes than the Smart Band 7 |
| Alexa support | No NFC |
| Competition mode | Not many additional functions compared to the basic model |
| Lots of sports modes | . |
Heart rate monitoring and SpO2 tracking can take place continuously from the Smart Band 7, other functions also remain almost identical. The only new feature is a competition mode that allows you to compete against your friends.
The most important update is undoubtedly the support for GNSS. Under this term is the long-awaited GPS, which is finally in the game. Those who wish can therefore now leave their smartphone at home and follow their routes only using the connected bracelet.
I didn’t highlight the above follow-up either positively or negatively. This is because I had some difficulty doing it during the test. In principle, Xiaomi smart bands are very reliable and accurate.
But my test of the Smart Band 7 Pro turned out to be very strange because, after very reliable measurements in the first days with the smartphone, the tracking stopped during my second identical round with the Smart Band only. I still wonder what caused the tracking to stop multiple times on this trail. Before coming to a conclusion, I would still like to spend a few more days with the device and will then update this review accordingly.
Autonomy
More capacity, but also more screen: in practice, this means that the battery increases, but the battery life decreases. Too bad there’s still no wireless charging.
| Pros | Cons |
| Full charge in 1 hour | Charging cable too short |
| Solid autonomy | No wireless charging |
The battery has increased from 180 to 235 mAh between the Xiaomi Smart Band 7 and the Pro version. On the other hand, the autonomy announced by Xiaomi goes from 14 to 12 days. In actual use, the connected bracelet lasted about 6 days with my fairly intensive use. But if you really push all the tracking functions, GPS, and training modes, you can easily drop to 3 or even 2 days.
It’s scary, I know. Still, I think you won’t need to go to the power outlet every 48 hours. During my test, I turned on everything the machine could offer. Always-on-Display was on all the time, I really had all notifications sent to the device, etc.
Without AoD and without testing every feature, I’m sure I could last at least twice as long under heavy daily use. Twelve days seem like an illusion to me, but with normal use, you should be able to last six to seven days very easily.
Finally, I groan as usual about the too-short charging cable. Why can’t we make this thing 20 to 30 centimeters longer? Wireless charging is still not supported. On the other hand, the bracelet recharges quickly. It takes an hour for a full charge.
Conclusion
I have read reviews of the Smart Band 7 Pro on other sites and some of them consider it the best-connected bracelet on the market. I don’t quite share that enthusiasm. I love the bigger screen and the GPS function. But is that enough to make a Smart Band 7 Pro?
Honestly, I just don’t see that there is any Pro in this connected bracelet. It does not provide enough additional features compared to the basic model.
There is even a downgrade for sports modes or screen brightness adjustment! Xiaomi has simply evolved too little over the past two or three years. They probably instead spent their time making sure that we users are completely lost in the app chaos.
Since for me, the price/performance ratio is not as good as with the Smart Band 7, I only want to give four out of five stars. And I also find that ₹ 8,259 are too costly to pay. I would consider this bracelet a good choice at ₹ 6,955.
