This is my latest watch, replacing the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Pro. I'll be comparing these directly. To be honest, this isn't something I planned on doing anytime soon (switching to another watch) but late one night there was an online shopping urge (and a very nice discount) and well, what can one say.
Samsung Fit3 vs. Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Pro
Why switch? Also, why not continue with the Mi Band and/or Mi Band Pro series?
First off, I've been a long-time user of the Mi Band, starting with Mi Band 2, I've had:
- Mi Band 2
- Mi Band 3
- Mi Band 5
- Mi Band 6
- Mi Band 7
- Mi Band 8 Pro
Honestly I wanted the Mi Band 7 pro quite a bit, the form factor is smaller than the 8 Pro which is a bit largish to my taste (though by no means big and chunky as some watches can be). However, the software on the Mi Band 7 pro was a complete shit show. Which brings me to the main reason for not continuing with the Xiaomi Mi Band / Mi Band Pro series... the software.
Of course, I've done hand-me-downs with various family members, and as the designated technical support guy, I won't be seeing the end of the Mi Bands anytime soon. Currently my sons have the Mi Band 8 Pro and Mi Band 7, and my wife has a Redmi Watch 5.
Xiaomi software is the worst
Clearly the software problems are due to a large degree with the history of separating the Mi Band line from the original OEM Huami. This was the crux of the Mi Band 7 Pro disaster. However, these folks haven't gotten much better at connectivity and compatibility. A China-sourced Mi Band 8 Pro (I bought it there because it was cheaper and available several months earlier than the international version) requires using the Chinese servers and these days, even downloading the Chinese version of the app directly from Xiaomi servers rather than through the Google Play store.
And the ads...
For some reason, Xiaomi believes that shoving ads in a health and fitness app is going to make people want to buy their hardware. Who would do that? This is not to mention how godawful slow the app is, especially doing things like looking up different watchfaces to use. How come a majority of the watchfaces require an ongoing monthly subscription? And why do I have to add some kind of health consultation subscription? And of course the constant advertising of a new smart watch. Oh my goodness, the pain never ends. The only thing they haven't done yet is push ads to the actual watch/band.
Integration of Samsung Health with digital scale
This integration basically doesn't work, and/or requires a third-party app to then communicate with Samsung Health. This is no different than the Mi Fitness app being unable to access a variety of scales. I'll stick with manually entering weight measurements, sigh. Come on Samsung, release a freakin' digital scale that integrates with Samsung Health. It only makes sense.
Samsung Wearable + Samsung Health
Samsung has two apps that are distinct unlike the single app for Xiaomi. This means that the health data is over in the Health app and the watch/band configuration is over in the watch app. Sure, ok. Since the watch app (Wearable) is largely configuration stuff, it doesn't need to be used very often, maybe only on specific settings or a watchface refresh.
Dimensions and specifications of Fit3 vs. 8pro
| Fit3 | 8pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42.9 x 28.8 x 9.9mm | 46 x 33.5 x 9.9mm |
| Weight | 18.5g | 22.5g |
| Display | 16.1" AMOLED | 1.74" AMOLED |
| GPS | No | Yes |
| Battery | 208mAh | 289mAh |
| OS | FreeRTOS | Proprietary |
- Overall the Mi Band 8 Pro is 20% larger in volume and 22% heavier, with a slightly larger screen.
- For battery, the Fit3 is rated for 13 days, and the 8 pro is 14 days. Realistically, when using the sleep monitoring and ongoing heartrate monitoring, these things need to be recharged after a few days.
- Note on FreeRTOS, Amazon has taken stewardship, but not forked it or limited it in other ways.
- Both of these are supposedly 5 ATM water resistant but I've had enough destroyed devices in the pool, and simply avoid submerging these (take off for showering, swimming, and the annual Songkran water battles).
- The 8pro has a microphone, but I've never used it.
Wither GPS
So, will I ever miss the GPS? Not these days. The ability of the GPS in the 8pro, which was better in the past, has really degraded. It always gives an error when starting a workout, and another GPS error about 3 minutes in. Then it is unhelpfully inconsistent in measuring distance. I realize, I already know distances (I generally run or bike the same routes, and if not I can get distances from a map). What I need focus on is heartrate and steps. That is all. And so, yeah, I don't really need a GPS. And so, I no longer have one (which is better than having one that doesn't really work).
Configurability of Fit3 and 8pro
- Overall they both support widgets (tiles), app shortcuts (though Fit3 cannot hide any), basic controls (including flashlight and airplane mode), always-on, etc.
- The watchface choices are limited for both smart bands, but the experience is so much better on the Wearables app than the Mi Fitness app.
Conclusions
- Moving over to the Samsung ecosystem for my smart band (I've been off of Xiaomi phones and on Samsung phones for years now) is so much of a relief.
- I paid less for the Fit3 (1,100 THB) than the Pro8 (1,400 THB). Both have higher list prices.