The Xiaomi Smart Band series has consistently ranked among the leading smart wearables in the market, and with the launch of the Smart Band 9 Pro, it has introduced significant upgrades that aim to enhance user experience while maintaining its competitive edge. In this review, we dive into the features, design, and performance of the Smart Band 9 Pro to determine whether it lives up to the expectations set by its predecessors and rivals.
The Pro variant features an 18% larger battery compared to its predecessor, extending the anticipated standby time from two weeks to an impressive 21 days. The display remains the same size and resolution but shines twice as brightly as before. Additionally, a new linear vibration motor has been integrated for improved haptic feedback.
Retailing at €80, which is double the price of the standard model, the Smart Band 9 Pro comes with a proprietary two-pin magnetic charger and a silicone band.
For those seeking a more premium touch, Xiaomi offers a variety of official accessories, such as this €15 leather band.
While the leather band adds a touch of elegance to the Smart Band 9 Pro, this reviewer prefers the silicone band for fitness activities, as it provides a more secure fit during rigorous workouts.
Leather Band Overview
The leather band introduces lugs to the Smart Band 9 Pro, allowing compatibility with other official Xiaomi bands.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro largely mirrors that of its predecessor, showcasing a 1.74-inch 336x480px AMOLED display as its centerpiece. With no physical buttons, users rely entirely on the touch interface to navigate the device.
This model features a 2.5D curved design around the glass edges, enhancing usability and aesthetic appeal by allowing fingers to glide smoothly along the display. The upgraded peak brightness of 1,200 nits—double that of the previous version—ensures visibility even in direct sunlight.
While the elimination of the home button contributes to a sleek, minimalist design, it raises concerns regarding usability during workouts or in adverse weather conditions.
Smartbands thrive on customization, and the Smart Band 9 Pro shines in this respect, offering numerous watch faces. Users have access to nine preloaded options, each with an always-on variant, along with hundreds more available for download via the Mi Fitness app.
Display Features and AOD
The rear of the Smart Band 9 Pro houses an optical heart rate sensor and a pulse oximeter, which work together to provide continuous monitoring of heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Xiaomi asserts that the new algorithm enhancing these sensors has seen a 15% improvement over previous models.
Software, Health, and Fitness Features
The device runs on Xiaomi's proprietary operating system. Users can easily access quick toggles, apps, and notifications through intuitive swipe gestures from the main screen.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro excels in health and fitness tracking, offering continuous monitoring of heart rate and blood oxygen levels alongside stress level assessment based on these readings. Users can activate a Vitality score feature, which evaluates health data to provide a comprehensive health score and improvement suggestions. The device also supports women’s health management through cycle tracking and prediction, as well as guided breathing exercises.
While sleep tracking is automatic and provides insights into light, REM, and deep sleep stages, it lacks certain features offered by more sophisticated devices, such as movement analysis and skin temperature monitoring. Some discrepancies were noted in sleep cycle reporting compared to other devices, casting doubt on the reliability of deep sleep readings.
Sleep Tracking Analysis
The heart rate measurement, accelerometer accuracy, and GPS performance for outdoor activities were robust, with the band demonstrating quick GPS lock before running sessions.
Running Experience with the Smart Band 9 Pro
During comparison runs with other trackers, we noted the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro's GPS readings were relatively accurate, showing only a small deviation from the actual run distances recorded by other devices.
| Distance | Pace | Average Heart Rate | VO2 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic | 3.96 km | 5'50" km | 166 bpm | 40.7 |
| Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro | 4.12 km | 5'39" km | 156 bpm | 37 |
| Huawei Watch Fit 2 | 4.16 km | 5'36" km | 169 bpm | 45 |
| Distance | Pace | Average Heart Rate | VO2 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic | 4.06 km | 5'35" km | 167 bpm | 41.2 |
| Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro | 4.14 km | 5'31" km | 159 bpm | 38 |
| Huawei Watch Fit 2 | 4.23 km | 5'24" km | 145 bpm | 46 |
In summary, tracking health metrics relies more on data consistency than on complete accuracy, allowing users to gauge their health journey through long-term use of the device.
Battery Performance
The battery upgrade in the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro has proven effective. With basic usage—raise-to-wake enabled, AOD turned off, notifications active, and three workouts per week—the band performed impressively, lasting 14 days before needing a recharge. When using the Always-on display and daily sleep tracking, the battery life dropped to 7 days.
Recharging took approximately an hour and 26 minutes, providing a practical balance between usability and convenience.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro stands out as a capable smart wearable at an attractive price point, officially launched just in time for the festive shopping season. The enhanced battery life combined with a brighter, curvier display offers meaningful improvements over the previous model, making the Smart Band 9 Pro a worthy choice.
For those in search of a versatile fitness and health tracker offering notification capabilities and long-lasting battery life, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro rightly deserves consideration. It presents a competitive offering against similar devices like Huawei's Watch Fit series in terms of price and functionality.
Pros
- Stylishly designed with an elegant 2.5D curved display
- Responsive user interface and appealing watch face options
- Exceptional display brightness, ensuring readability in any environment
- Robust health and fitness tracking features
- Impressive battery longevity
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Lack of a home button may limit usability
- Potential for inflated deep sleep readings
- No notification response capability
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro can be purchased through Amazon Germany here.
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