Comprehensive Review of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active: The Budget Fitness Tracker

The Smart Band series by Xiaomi, previously known as Mi Band, has reached its ninth iteration with the introduction of the Smart Band 9 Active. Priced at a mere €25/£20, it stands out as the most budget-friendly option in the lineup. Offering an impressive array of features for its cost, this device is emerging as one of the top choices for consumers seeking a reliable fitness tracker without breaking the bank.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active Specifications

• Display: 1.47” TFT LCD touchscreen, 172 x 320 px resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 450 nits peak brightness
• Straps: Detachable proprietary straps, adjustable length of 135-215mm
• Features: 5ATM water resistance, real-time heart rate monitoring, 24/7 blood oxygen level tracking, sleep monitoring, stress monitoring, sports tracking, step counter, meditation options, notifications, idle alerts, phone finder, weather forecasts, music and camera control, alarms, stopwatch, compass, barometer, flashlight.
• Sports Modes: Includes outdoor run, indoor run, outdoor walk, cycling, hiking, trekking, jump rope, freestyle, with over 50 modes available in the Mi Fitness app
• Sensors: PPG optical heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, barometer, rotary vibration motor
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, compatible with Android 8.0 and iOS 12+
• Battery: 300 mAh
• Colors: Black, Beige White, Pink
• Dimensions: 46 x 27 x 9.99mm
• Weight: 16.5 grams without strap

While the low price is attractive, there are certain drawbacks that come with it, such as the use of a TFT LCD screen, a plastic build, and a simplistic design. Yet, it still encompasses the essential health and activity tracking features we have come to expect from Xiaomi's wearable technology. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the Smart Band 9 Active based on two weeks of continuous usage.

Design

Crafted entirely from plastic, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active has a compact, nugget-like form with a comfortable TPU strap. Its design has only seen minor revisions from the Band 8 Active, showcasing a slightly raised lip surrounding the display for enhanced protection against minor impacts.

The 1.47-inch TFT LCD screen features a resolution of 172 x 320 px and a refresh rate of 60Hz. Although rated at 450 nits of brightness, it performs adequately in sunlight, though an OLED panel would have offered a better viewing experience.

The device lacks physical buttons, a common characteristic in the Smart Band series. Xiaomi provides proprietary straps, which are available for purchase, and there are already third-party options emerging. The retail package contains the Smart Band 9 Active, a black TPU strap, a magnetic charging cable, a quick start guide, and a warranty card.

Accompanied by Xiaomi's official luminous strap, the device is designed to enhance visibility during nighttime runs.

With a water resistance rating of 5ATM, the Smart Band 9 Active can survive submersion in fresh water up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and showering.

Features

The Smart Band 9 Active utilizes an optimized algorithm for health and fitness monitoring. It consistently tracks heart rate and blood oxygen saturation while offering sleep and stress tracking features. With over 50 sports modes available—including all major activities—users can find the right settings for their workouts.

However, to achieve its low price, Xiaomi has omitted GNSS satellite positioning. As a result, runners will need to rely on their smartphones for tracking outdoor activities.

Access to numerous watch faces is available via the Mi Fitness app, but the device lacks automatic brightness control and does not support Always On Display (AOD) due to its TFT nature.

Once paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth 5.3, you'll receive notifications directly to your wrist. Unfortunately, the screen's limited horizontal space makes it difficult to read messages, and there's no option to reply directly. Similarly, the lack of built-in speakers and microphones means you cannot make Bluetooth calls. However, the device does allow control for music playback and can serve as a remote for your phone's camera.

Software and Performance

Operating on a familiar RTOS interface, the Band 9 Active employs swipes for navigation within a card-based widget system. Users might find the app layout limiting, as it includes only 16 built-in apps without the option for third-party applications. The navigation is smooth and efficient, attributed to its 60Hz refresh rate. However, the screen is still narrower compared to devices in higher price brackets.

The Mi Fitness app keeps track of a month's worth of health and workout data and can sync with platforms like Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava, and Suunto for broader tracking.

Pairing the device with an iPhone 15 Pro went smoothly, maintaining connectivity without issues.

Health and Activity Tracking

Heart rate tracking can be configured for 1, 10, or 30-minute intervals and is functional 24/7 for detailed monitoring. Comparatively, its readings align closely with previous Xiaomi models as well as competitors like the Huawei Watch Fit 3.

The SpO2 measurements also performed consistently, with minor readout deviations noted with other smart bands in its price range. Sleep tracking provides a breakdown of light, REM, and deep sleep stages. Although the data is collected, the Smart Band 9 Active fell short on certain metrics like accuracy in wake-up and sleep initiation times when compared to competitors like Huawei.

For workout tracking, the Smart Band 9 Active showed discrepancies in step counts and running distance during gym sessions, although the heart rate readings remained comparable across devices. Lacking a built-in GNSS tracker means users are required to carry their smartphones for accurate outdoor activity tracking.

Battery Life

With a 300 mAh battery, the Smart Band 9 Active claims to last up to 18 days with moderate usage, or around 9 days with more intensive activity. Testing revealed a lifespan of 8 days with various features activated and workout sessions every other day, marking a decent endurance rate.

While battery life impressed, charging time can be cumbersome, taking over 90 minutes to reach full capacity.

Verdict

Xiaomi's Smart Band 9 Active offers a sufficient package for budget-conscious buyers, combining solid construction, waterproofing, and satisfactory battery life. It delivers the essential health tracking features and a user-friendly companion app, summarizing users' health metrics.

However, the TFT LCD is not the brightest option, falling short of OLED displays available in competing models. Issues with sleep tracking, alongside an overall cheaper build quality compared to premium models like the Smart Band 9 and Smart Band 9 Pro, should be considered. The absence of a GNSS tracker for outdoor activities also lingers as a missed opportunity, which could elevate the Active version's appeal.