Does the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 have NFC?

Xiaomi continues to impress, packing big specs into a comfortably small device (with a small price tag). But does the Mi Band 7 have all the features users expect from their fitness tracker? The new device offers a larger screen, a fresh UI, and plenty of new features, but what about NFC? Read on to find out.

See also: Everything you need to know about NFC

Does the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 have NFC?

To start, let’s nail down what NFC is exactly and why you might want it. Many popular wearables (as well as smartphones, tablets, and more) offer Near Field Communication technology, better known as NFC. This wireless communication is limited to extremely short distances. Most commonly, individuals rely on NFC  to facilitate contactless payments through apps like Google Pay or Apple Pay.

The last generation, Mi Band 6, launched in China with two available models. The NFC version allows for contactless payments, while the standard model — which is, unfortunately, the version that’s sold globally — misses out.

Similarly, the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 launched in two versions, a standard model priced at 249 Chinese yuan (~$37), and an NFC version priced at 299 yuan (~$44). As usual, it will likely be a few weeks before we see the device roll out globally. It is not yet clear which model will be available to countries outside of China.

What about NFC on Xiaomi’s competition?

NFC isn’t a staple on every device. One of the Mi Band 7’s closest competitors, the Fitbit Inspire 2 doesn’t offer NFC. Shoppers would need to spring for the much pricier Fitbit Charge 5 to use Fitbit Pay. On the other hand, the latest Huawei Band 7 does offer NFC. Learn more about Xiaomi’s competition at the link below.

See also: The best Xiaomi Mi Band 7 alternatives