Huawei Band 8 Review: Mini Me to My Huawei Watch 3 Pro

Ever since I started wearing the Huawei Watch 3 Pro in 2021, it has become an integral part of my life. With Huawei’s exceptional fitness tracking system, Huawei Health, it has tremendously aided me in managing my struggles with depression and high blood pressure. However, as much as I adore my Huawei Watch 3 Pro, I’ve come to realize that it may not be suitable for all occasions, particularly during sleep. Now, before you dismiss my claim, let me explain. Huawei Health does offer an excellent sleep tracking system, but wearing a full-fledged smartwatch during sleep can be somewhat uncomfortable.

This is where the Huawei Band 8 steps in—a compact fitness tracking band that encapsulates most of the functions you need, all within a slim profile. Measuring less than 9mm in thickness and weighing only 14g, it boasts a remarkable 1.47-inch AMOLED display with an impressive pixel density, rivaling some smartwatches in the market.

In this article, we will delve into our experience with the Huawei Band 8, thoroughly testing it during various activities, including exercise sessions and, most importantly, while sleeping.

Looks & built

The Huawei Band 8 features a large 1.47-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 368 x 194 pixels, providing vivid and bright colors. Additionally, it supports an Always On Display feature, allowing vital information such as time and message notifications to be constantly visible. However, it’s worth noting that the display is encased under a 2.5D curved glass, and while there is no specific information regarding the glass material, it appears to be a common glass rather than a hardened tempered glass. Personally, I find this a bit concerning, especially since I intend to wear this band during active activities. The Huawei Band 8 is rated IP68.

Thanks to its AMOLED technology, the Band 8 offers exceptional color reproduction and a high pixel density, resulting in one of the most stunning displays I’ve ever seen in a smart band. Huawei has included a wide selection of watch faces to choose from, specifically designed to suit various usage scenarios, whether it’s for fitness tracking, quick access functions, or simply to showcase the vibrant display.

The Huawei Band 8 is available in three body colors: Emerald Green, Sakura Pink, and Midnight Black. It comes with four band strap designs, including two silicone straps that match the Emerald Green and Sakura Pink versions. The Midnight Black variant comes with a TPU strap and a unique Vibrant Orange Nylon strap. In our case, we have the Midnight Black version with the TPU strap, and one notable feature that caught my attention is the strap loop, which includes a stopper inside to securely hold the loop in place when worn.

Sleep tracking with Huawei Band 8

As someone who has been recovering from severe mental health issues, including chronic insomnia, tracking my sleep habits has been crucial for me. Elements such as sleep time, awakenings, and sleep duration play a significant role in managing my condition. Traditionally, I relied on a sleep journal to record this information, but ever since I acquired the Huawei Watch 3 Pro, my sleep tracking has improved significantly. Now, with the Huawei Band 8, it has become even more convenient and comfortable.

Equipped with advanced sensors, the Band 8 utilizes Huawei TruSleep 3.0 technology to monitor various physiological data, including body movement, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV), to generate a comprehensive sleep summary. This summary provides valuable insights into sleep stages, duration, percentage breakdowns between stages, and other relevant information such as wakefulness, REM sleep, light sleep, and deep sleep.

The sleep data showcased on the Band 8 is accompanied by a personalized report, which offers useful information and references for further understanding. This feature effectively helps users establish a foundational understanding of their sleep patterns and provides guidance on how to improve them.

While I previously relied on the sleep tracking function of my Huawei Watch 3 Pro, I eventually stopped using it due to the inconvenience of wearing a full-sized watch while sleeping. However, the Band 8’s longer and slimmer profile has made it much easier for me to wear during sleep. I have found that the Band 8 is remarkably comfortable, allowing me to resume my sleep tracking effortlessly.

Fitness tracking with Huawei Band 8

When discussing a health band, it’s essential to highlight its fitness tracking capabilities, and the Huawei Band 8 certainly delivers in this regard. With Huawei TruSeen 5.0, it collects comprehensive fitness data and displays it, empowering users to plan their exercise routines effectively throughout the day. The device provides information such as the number of steps taken, calories burned, and now, with the recent Huawei TruSeen 5.0 update, it also includes heart rate (bpm) and blood oxygen level measurements.

Utilizing the collected data, the Band 8 computes the user’s stress level using the TruRelax all-day stress tracking algorithm. This feature not only indicates the user’s stress level but also prompts them to engage in stress-relieving activities such as breath exercises or simple stretching, providing a proactive approach to stress management.

For female users, the Band 8 goes a step further by including menstrual cycle tracking. The system assists in keeping track of menstrual cycles and estimating ovulation dates. With timely reminders before special days, it supports female users in maintaining a calm and elegant demeanor at all times.

Overall, the Huawei Band 8 is not only a reliable fitness tracker but also offers valuable features to enhance overall well-being. Its fitness tracking functions, stress management capabilities, and support for menstrual cycle tracking make it a comprehensive health band that caters to various needs and empowers users to lead healthier and more balanced lives.

Sport tracking

One of the standout features of the Huawei Band 8 is the TruSport system, which provides an extensive range of sport-specific tracking functions. This feature alone makes it worth wearing a full-sized watch during exercise. During workouts, the Band 8 diligently tracks pacing, heart rate, and distance covered. Moreover, for specific sports, it offers additional evaluations such as the Running Power index, aerobic/anaerobic training pressure, and recovery time.

With up to 100 workout modes available, the Band 8 caters to a wide range of activities. It covers common outdoor exercises like running, walking, swimming, indoor running, and powerlifting, while also accommodating unexpected sports such as Taekwondo, Belly dancing, Tai Chi, and many others. This versatility allows users to track their performance and progress across various activities, ensuring a comprehensive fitness monitoring experience.

However, during my usual outdoor walks, I noticed that the Band 8 lacks a built-in GPS feature. To obtain accurate location data, it relies on a companion phone to provide the necessary information. Therefore, for users who prefer to keep their outdoor exercise routines as lightweight as possible, it’s important to note that the Band 8 still requires the presence of a companion phone.

Overall, the Huawei Band 8’s TruSport system offers an impressive array of sport-specific tracking functions, providing users with detailed insights into their workouts. While the absence of built-in GPS may be a slight inconvenience for some, the Band 8 remains a reliable and feature-rich fitness companion, ensuring comprehensive exercise monitoring across a wide range of activities.

Huawei Band 8 Conclusion

At just RM189, the Huawei Band 8 offers an incredible value for the functions it provides. Its slim profile and comfortable design make it a pleasure to wear throughout the day. The advanced sleep tracking, fitness tracking, and sport tracking functionalities have even led me to replace my Huawei Watch 3 Pro with the Band 8 as my go-to sleep tracking and fitness band.

This device serves as an excellent entry point into Huawei’s wellness ecosystem, offering functionalities that are often found only in flagship models. Whether you’re looking to monitor your sleep patterns, track your fitness progress, or delve into specific sports activities, the Band 8 delivers with impressive accuracy and reliability.

Considering its affordability and the wealth of features it offers, we wholeheartedly recommend the Huawei Band 8. Its exceptional performance and value have earned it our prestigious Gold recommendation award. Don’t miss out on this remarkable health band that brings high-end functionality to your wrist at an affordable price.

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• Huawei Band 8 (Lazada): https://s.lazada.com.my/s.gtbw2?cc