If you’re in the market for a new smart bracelet but don’t want to break the bank, you may have come across the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active and the Huawei Band 8.
Both are budget-friendly options that offer a range of features, but which one is the better choice for you?
In this article, we’ll compare the two devices across various aspects to help you make an informed decision.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Huawei Band 8: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active | Huawei Band 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Classic central capsule with silicone strap | Traditional smartwatch aesthetic with interchangeable straps and side button |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Color Options | Black body with black or pink straps | Black body with black strap, green body with green strap, rose gold body with pink strap |
| Display | 1.47-inch TFT, 450 nits, 172×320 pixels | 1.47-inch AMOLED, 194×368 pixels |
| Battery Life | Up to 14 days | Up to 14 days (longer with Always On display turned off) |
| Charging Time | About 1 hour | About 1 hour (slightly longer than Xiaomi) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation | Accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, heart rate and blood oxygen |
| GPS | Connected | Connected |
| Compatibility | Android and iOS (limited features with iOS) | Android and iOS (quick replies available only on Android) |
| Sports Modes | 50 sports modes | 100 sports modes |
| App | Mi Fit | Huawei Health |
| Price | $29.99 (often found cheaper) | $59 (often discounted to around $45-$49 on Amazon) |
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Huawei Band 8: Look & Feel
Design and Build Quality
Both the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active and the Huawei Band 8 boast designs that cater to the modern consumer’s needs, with minor but notable differences.
The Band 8 Active features a classic capsule design encased in a silicone strap, maintaining a look familiar to many fitness enthusiasts.
On the other hand, the Huawei Band 8 leans towards a more traditional smartwatch aesthetic, offering interchangeable straps with a simple button mechanism, adding a touch of versatility and personalization to its design.
A significant distinction comes in the form of a side button on the Huawei Band, which simplifies navigation by allowing users to return to the main menu with a single tap, a convenience not present in the Xiaomi model where multiple gestures are needed for the same action.
Both bands are water-resistant up to five atmospheres, ensuring durability for daily use, including showering.
Customization and Color Options
When it comes to personalizing your smart band, both brands offer different levels of customization. The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active comes with straps available in black or pink, though the body remains black across all variants.
Huawei, however, provides a broader palette with options including a black body with a green strap, and a rose gold body with a pink strap, catering to a wider range of personal preferences.
Display Quality
The display is where the two bands diverge significantly. Xiaomi’s model features a 1.47-inch TFT panel with 450 nits of brightness, whereas Huawei boasts a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen, offering better viewing angles and brightness levels.
The AMOLED panel of the Huawei Band 8, coupled with its Always On display mode, edges out Xiaomi’s offering, providing a clearer and more vibrant viewing experience.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Huawei Band 8: Battery Life and Charging
Both bands claim up to 14 days of battery life, a figure that holds up under typical usage scenarios.
However, Huawei’s Band 8 might have a slight edge in battery longevity, especially when its Always On display feature is turned off.
Charging mechanisms for both are similar, utilizing a USB-A connector with magnetic charging pins, with both devices taking around an hour to fully charge.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Huawei Band 8: Sensors and Health Tracking
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active and the Huawei Band 8 are closely matched in terms of sensors, including heart rate monitoring and blood oxygen saturation.
However, Huawei’s integration of a six-axis sensor and its proprietary Tring 5.0 system offers slightly more accurate step counting and sports calorie tracking.
Both bands lack GPS, relying on the user’s phone for location tracking but provide comprehensive health monitoring features, including sleep and menstrual cycle tracking.
Both smart bands support Android and iOS, but Huawei’s model has a limitation with iOS regarding quick replies for notifications. Xiaomi boasts 50 sports modes, while Huawei offers up to 100, providing a wider selection for fitness enthusiasts.
However, Huawei’s interface is more complete, offering additional settings like heart rate data transmission for connecting chest bands, making it the more versatile choice.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Huawei Band 8: App Experience and Ecosystem
The Mi Fit app for Xiaomi and the Huawei Health app for Huawei are both user-friendly and offer detailed tracking and customization options.
While both apps perform well, Xiaomi’s app is slightly more aesthetically pleasing and provides more information and customization options, including a broader selection of free watch faces.
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Huawei Band 8: Price and Value
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active is priced at around $30-$40, while the Huawei Band 8 is listed at approximately $50-$89.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active is priced more affordably than the Huawei Band 8, but the latter justifies its higher price with a better display, longer battery life, and more accurate sensors.
Where to Buy?
| Model | Best Deal |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active | View on AliExpress |
| Huawei Band 8 | View on AliExpress |
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Huawei Band 8: Who is the Winner?
After considering all aspects, the Huawei Band 8 stands out as the clear winner in this comparison. It offers a better display, a more user-friendly interface, and additional health and fitness tracking features that justify its slightly higher price point.
However, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active remains a strong contender for those on a tighter budget or with specific brand preferences. Whichever you choose, both smart bands offer great features and value for money, making them excellent companions for your fitness journey.
In the end, the choice between the Huawei Band 8 vs Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active comes down to personal preferences and priorities.
Related:
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- Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active vs Smart Band 8
- Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 Pro vs Amazfit Active
- Huawei Band 8 vs Redmi Smart Band 2
- Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro vs Huawei Band 8
- Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs Huawei Band 8
