The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 fitness bracelet became one of the most anticipated gadgets of 2023 — and for good reason. As the heir to the legendary Mi Band line, it brought a lot of innovations while maintaining an affordable price. But when exactly did the official release of the device take place? And how does it differ fundamentally from its predecessor, the Mi Band 7?
In this article, we will analyze the exact release date of the Mi Band 8 in China and the global market, analyze key improvements (including design, screen and new sensors), and answer the question: whether to overpay for the eighth version or save on the Mi Band 7.
If you’re planning to acquire or just following Xiaomi’s news, this information will be helpful, and for owners of previous models, we’ve prepared a comparison table and tips on data migration.
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 release date: chronology of events
The first rumors about the development of the Mi Band 8 appeared in early 2023, but the exact date of the announcement was kept secret, the official presentation took place on April 26, 2023, as part of the event Xiaomi Civi 3 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
Here are the key milestones of the release:
- 📅 April 26, 2023 – official announcement in China along with other new Xiaomi products.
- 🛒 May 14, 2023 – start of sales in China (first batch sold out in a few hours).
- 🌍 June-July 2023 – gradual entry into global markets (Europe, Asia, Latin America).
- 🇷🇺 August 2023 – official appearance in Russia through Xiaomi partners and major retailers.
Interestingly, the Mi Band 8 was the first bracelet in the line to receive certification to work with iOS 16+ without restrictions (previously iPhone owners faced problems synchronization), which expanded the audience of the device at the expense of Apple users.
⚠️ Note: In some markets (e.g. India) sales started later due to local certifications. Before buying, check for a global version (Global in the model name) to avoid firmware and language support issues.
How Mi Band 8 is different from Mi Band 7: a comparative analysis
At first glance, the Mi Band 8 is not much different from its predecessor – the same compact body, AMOLED-But there are some major improvements under the hood. Let's compare the key parameters:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi Band 7 | Xiaomi Mi Band 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen. | 1.62" AMOLED, 192×490 pixel | 1.62 AMOLED, 192×490 pixels, but with Always-On Display support |
| Processor | Dialog DA14706 | Dialog DA14707 (25 percent more energy efficient) |
| Sensors. | Pulse, SpO₂, accelerometer, gyroscope | + Skin temperature sensor and improved accelerometer for pedometer accuracy |
| Autonomy | Up to 15 days. | Up to 16 days (thanks to the new chip) |
| Functions | 120 training regimens | 150 regimens including yoga and Pilates |
One of the major innovations was the skin temperature sensor, which allows you to track changes throughout the day and night, which is useful for monitoring stress and overall health. In addition, the Mi Band 8 learned to recognize 6 new types of sleep (including naps and superficial sleep), while the Mi Band 7 was limited to 4 types.
Another important improvement is the support for Always-On Display, which now displays time and notifications on the screen constantly, without the need to raise your hand, which is convenient, but slightly reduces autonomy (with active use of AOD, the bracelet will last about 10 days instead of 16).
New Mi Band 8 features: What is really useful?
Xiaomi Mi Band 8 not only received an upgrade of hardware, but also got a number of software chips.
- 🔥 Smart sleep phase alarm: The bracelet analyzes what phase of sleep you are in and wakes you up at the optimal time (30 minutes before the set time.
- 📊 Advanced stress analytics – based on heart rate variability, heart rate and skin temperature, the bracelet assesses stress levels and makes recommendations (for example, do breathing exercises).
- 🏃 Automatic recognition of 8 types of activity – now you do not need to manually start the mode of running or walking: the bracelet itself determines the type of workout and begins recording.
- 🎵 Music control on your smartphone – you can switch tracks and adjust volume directly from the bracelet screen (works with Spotify, Apple Music and other applications).
The new strap design is also worth noting, and it's now attached to the body not on latches, but on magnets, making it easier to replace, and it comes with an antibacterial strap, which is important for those who wear the bracelet around the clock.
However, not all features are available out of the box, such as the voice assistant (only Chinese firmware for now) and some training regimes require software updates, which will be discussed in the next section.
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To activate Always-On Display, go to Settings → Display → Always-On and select the dial style. Note that this will reduce autonomy by 20-30%.
How to Upgrade Mi Band 8 to the Latest Firmware: Step-by-step Instructions
The Mi Band 8 firmware is regularly updated, adding new features and fixing bugs. To check the version's relevance and install the update, follow this instruction:
- Make sure the bracelet is connected to your smartphone via the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for the global version).
- Open the app and go to Profile → Mi Band 8 → Firmware Update.
- If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (the bracelet will reboot automatically).
- After the update, sync the data to apply the changes.
Important nuances:
- 🔋 The charge of the bracelet must be at least 50%, otherwise the update will not begin.
- 📶 Connect your smartphone to Wi-Fi – downloading firmware via mobile internet can take a long time.
- ⏳ If the bracelet is "hanging" in the upgrade phase, wait. 10-15 If the problem persists, reset through Settings. → System system → Reset.
Charge the bracelet to 50% |
Connect your smartphone to Wi-Fi|
Close the background apps on the phone |
Do not remove the bracelet until the update is completed
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Among the latest updates (version 1.16.0.14 for March 2026) there is support for gestures for music control (shake your hand to switch the track) and an improved measurement algorithm. SpO₂ (oxygenation).
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet starts to run out quickly after the upgrade, try disabling Always-On Display and restarting the device. In rare cases, resetting to factory settings helps (but this will delete all data from the bracelet!).
Where to buy Xiaomi Mi Band 8 at the best price in 2026?
At the time of writing (April 2026), the Mi Band 8 is available in official and unofficial stores for between 2,500 and 4,000 rubles, depending on the configuration and region.
- 🛒 Xiaomi official website (global.mi.com) – the original warranty, but the price is above average and delivery delays are possible.
- 🏬 Major retailers: Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink - there are often shares and installments.
- 🌐 AliExpress is cheaper on the 20-30%, But you're at risk of getting faked. 98%+ and reviews in Russian.
- 📦 Yandex Market / Ozon – it is convenient to compare prices and choose the option with fast delivery.
When buying, pay attention to:
- The firmware version is global (Global) or Chinese (CN), the latter may not support Russian.
- Set: in the basic version there is only a bracelet + strap, in the Pro-set there can be an additional strap or charger.
- Warranty: Official dealers give 12 months, on AliExpress - usually 1-3 months.
Should you overpay for the Mi Band 8 if you have a cheaper Mi Band 7?
When should I use the Mi Band 7 instead of the Mi Band 8?
Frequent Mi Band 8 problems and how to fix them
Despite the improvements, the Mi Band 8 is not without bugs, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is not synchronized with the smartphone | Outdated version of Mi Fitness or Conflict with Bluetooth | Update the app, reboot the phone and bracelet, then reconnect the device. |
| The battery goes down fast. | Active Always-On Display or background updates | Turn off the AOD, reduce the frequency of pulse measurement (in the bracelet settings). |
| Incorrect pulse measurement/SpO₂ | Poor contact of the sensor with the skin or movement of the hand | Tighten the strap tighter and remain still during the measurement. |
| No notifications coming. | Lack of permissions for the Mi Fitness app | Check the notification settings in the phone and in the app itself. |
If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch or "hang", try a forced reboot:
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Press and hold the button (the touch area below the screen) for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the button and wait for the reboot.
⚠️ Note: If after updating the firmware bracelet began to "glue" (for example, spontaneously reboot), try to roll back the version of the software through the application Mi Fitness. → The bracelet. → Firmware version → If the option is not available, contact Xiaomi support.
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Always update your bracelet firmware and Mi Fitness app to the latest version – this fixes most bugs and adds new features.