The Mi Band 7 from Xiaomi – One other Winner

Notice: Large replace October 16, 2022 to this authentic June 16, 2022 article – see the tip.

I’ve written in right here a number of occasions about my love for the Xiaomi Mi Band vary – I’ve had all of them and yesterday (June 2022) the brand-spanking new Mi Band 7 arrived on my desk from Hekka. How thrilling!! (Sure, I’ve had the Samsungs and Garmins and so on, in the end I choose the bands however most should not very thrilling). The band got here from Hekka – and it appear anybody can get a $10 (€9.60, £8.23 and so on) low cost utilizing code techscargill10 – word that I don’t get something out of that.

By now I’ve Mi Band setup off to a high quality artwork, I be certain the band is reset (simply in case), guarantee Bluetooth is turned on within the cellphone (my Xiaomi Poco X4 Professional on this case) – pull up the sadly-named Zepp Life APP and hit + so as to add a tool at which level “looking out – maintain the band near your cellphone” – I do that (primarily utilizing the predecessor to Zepp Life, the sensibly named Mi Match) – there’s now additionally a Mi Health…. however let’s persist with Zepp Life.

However no, for the primary time EVER, band not discovered. I attempted a number of variations (the APP didn’t know in regards to the Mi Band 7 by mannequin but however I did a search) to no avail.

Having torn out my final hair, I went off to the Android Play Retailer to search for Zepp Life and positive sufficient, an improve was accessible and that uprade DOES assist the Mi Band 7. I grabbed it.

Notice to Mi Band designers – they seek advice from “the App” within the leaflet. Higher to call the precise APP and minimal model required?

The Zepp Life APP instructed me that my Mi Band 6 and can be disconnected and proceeded to pair the Mi Band 7. Seconds later I famous it was updating the firmware on the Band 7… I waited patiently. (The crimson+white band within the photograph above is my smaller Mi Band 6.

“Please look ahead to about 6 minutes” – properly, I suppose that’s higher than the standard, unrealistic “wait a sec…” that everybody else does…

“Downloading…” and so it did. Good job I’d charged every little thing as instructed. Like watching paint dry? Sure. And after the 6 minutes, the cellphone began transferring the replace to the Mi Band 7 – extra paint drying. Be ready to lose the very best a part of quarter-hour the primary time round. Throughout this second half of the set up, the APP was saying “connecting” as a substitute of “updating” which appears a bit odd nevertheless it bought there in the long run.

I’ve to say that further width is value it for these of us with lower than 100% eyesight. The built-in faces are excellent and there are a shedload of recent modes, however extra importantly (for me), the shop has some NEAT new watchfaces and I hoped the unbiased watch faces will nonetheless work – I word my small native assortment has disappeared from the APP.

The older unbiased Mi Band 6 Apps received’t work (but) however I see that somebody has been fast on the ball – Mi Band 7 Watch Faces is already within the Android Play Retailer although will probably be a number of days earlier than the band is broadly accessible. The picture on the left is one in all theirs – AND.. YES… I LOVE IT ALREADY – new band, new faces, new sports activities modes, improved coronary heart and oxygen checking, greater display screen – what extra might you need?

Now, don’t get me mistaken, the unbiased Mi 6 band APP doesn’t work with Mi Band 7 (but) and the Mi 7 Band APP has solely a small-ish unbiased choice however because the band has simply been launched this month that’s by no means stunning – clearly, in-house AND exterior face assist is there already – I’m glad I’ve the Mi Band 7 and I really feel assured it’ll succeed and the variety of faces will develop quickly.

The brand new band is beautiful – wants a brand new strap I reckon (I’m not that eager on the default black silicone strap however then I by no means was) and beware, these will likely be wider as properly so don’t count on bands for Mi5 and 6 to suit. After I’m achieved with this replace, I’ll go on the lookout for straps. About 30% wider by the way.

I’ve simply handed my Mi Band 6 onto an area – I’m that assured that heaps extra watch faces will quickly seem for the Mi Band 7. As for straps – there are a pair – and naturally, AliExpress declare they’ve some till you look rigorously on the advert. Nothing particular but – I’m betting by the beginning of July 2022 there will likely be LOADS of faces, straps and extra. I sort of fancy a gold strap myself.

Have in mind nevertheless, there’s an opportunity that wider show will necessitate extra frequent battery fees particularly if, like me, you retain the brightness up full.

Replace October 16, 2022

BIG replace – bear in mind above I famous a scarcity of watch faces? Nicely, that’s all modified. Disappointingly, after proudly owning each Mi Band 5 and 6 and getting access to a spread of respectable faces solely actually surpassed by the WAY costlier Samsung sensible watches, the Mi 7 was launched with a minimal set of faces accessible by way of the shop of their APP totally free – however then, it WAS early days again in June. Now, I bought up this morning and as I do, went to discover a new watchface. I famous that Xiaomi now have a significantly better vary of faces in Zepp Life – however have began charging for his or her greatest faces (opportunism or desperation?They all the time was once free!). They do have lots however I’m imply in relation to watchfaces and I wish to have LOTS.

There are a number of APPS on the Android Playstore – together with some equally named – I’m going to direct you to THIS one – see the APP icon on the appropriate.

Free with adverts (however not within the FREE watch faces) and this morning I added some BEAUTIES to my Mi Band 7. And right here’s the factor, they not have to erdirect you to the Mi App – faces might be downloaded straight to the band – I simply added three!