The Xiaomi Smart Band series continues to set the standard in the realm of fitness wearables, and the ninth generation showcases noteworthy enhancements that keep it relevant in a competitive market. This review covers the Pro model of the Smart Band 9, which introduces a range of features tailored for fitness enthusiasts and general users alike.
The latest iteration sees an 18% boost in battery capacity compared to its predecessor, extending the expected standby time from two weeks to an impressive 21 days. While the screen maintains its size and resolution, it now shines with double the brightness of the earlier model. Furthermore, a new linear vibration motor enhances haptic feedback for a more satisfying user experience.
Available at €80, the Smart Band 9 Pro is priced at double that of the standard version. It comes equipped with a proprietary two-pin magnetic charger and includes a silicone strap. Xiaomi also offers various official accessories, such as a stylish €15 leather band.
The leather band is a notable upgrade in aesthetics, featuring a supple texture. However, this reviewer finds the silicone band to be the more practical option for those engaging in fitness activities, as it stays in place more securely during workouts.
Leather Band Upgrade
The leather variant adds lugs to the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro, allowing the attachment of additional official Xiaomi bands.
Design & Build Quality
As for design, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro remains largely similar to its predecessor. At its forefront is the 1.74-inch 336x480px AMOLED display, which serves as the device's main interface. With the absence of physical buttons, the touch display is key for navigation and controls.
This new model boasts a 2.5D curved glass design, enhancing tactile interaction and visual appeal. On top of that, the peak brightness has been elevated to 1,200 nits, ensuring that the display is easily readable even in direct sunlight.
The omission of a home button elicits mixed feelings; while it contributes to a sleeker aesthetic, it can be challenging to navigate during workouts or when using the device in wet conditions.
The selection of watch faces plays a significant role in wearables, and Xiaomi provides an excellent variety for the Smart Band 9 Pro. Users will find nine preloaded faces, each accompanied by a custom always-on variant, with hundreds more available for download via the Mi Fitness app.
Display & Always-On Feature
On the back, the Smart Band 9 Pro features an optical heart rate sensor and a pulse oximeter, which continuously monitor heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Xiaomi claims a 15% improvement in the algorithm that governs these sensors compared to the previous generation.
Software, Health & Fitness Monitoring
Operating on a proprietary OS, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers an intuitive user interface. The main screen features the watch face, while swipes to the right reveal quick toggles like Do Not Disturb, Alarms, and Power saver mode. Users can access the app grid with an upward swipe and view notifications with a downward swipe, while the leftward swipe navigates through various widgets like weather and fitness stats.
The health and fitness tracking features are robust on the Smart Band 9 Pro. It provides continuous tracking of heart rate and blood oxygen levels and even assesses stress levels based on these metrics.
Additionally, users can opt to enable a Vitality score, which aggregates data to suggest overall wellness insights. The band also caters to women’s health needs with cycle recording and predictions, alongside guided breathing exercises.
Sleep tracking functionality is adequate but has room for improvement. The band automatically activates sleep tracking at bedtime—eliminating the need for manual adjustments. It provides a breakdown of sleep stages (light, REM, and deep sleep), though it falls short of offering a detailed cycle count or movement data, features that are available in more advanced wearables. The Smart Band sometimes overgenerates deep sleep duration compared to alternative trackers.
Sleep Analysis
However, the heart rate and GPS tracking functions perform admirably. The device quickly locks onto GPS signals during outdoor activities.
Running with the Smart Band 9 Pro
Comparative runs with the Smart Band 9 Pro, Huawei Watch Fit 2, and Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic yielded some interesting results. I assessed my run with multiple GPS mapping platforms and recorded distances ranging from 4.27km to 4.36km, indicating that the Xiaomi's deviation from actual measurements (approximately 150m to 220m) is fairly acceptable. In contrast, the Samsung watch exhibited more significant deviations, while the Huawei model was notably more precise.
| 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 |
Ultimately, the value of health and fitness tracking lies in monitoring consistent data trends over time rather than absolute precision—using a single device allows users to gauge their health effectively.
Battery Performance
The enhanced battery life of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is genuinely impressive. During light use—incorporating raise-to-wake functionality, AOD turned off, notifications on, and averaging three workouts weekly without sleep tracking—the band lasted an incredible 14 days.
When always-on display and daily sleep tracking were activated, the usage duration reduced to approximately 7 days, requiring a recharge on the seventh day.
Charging the device back to full capacity took roughly one hour and 26 minutes.
Final Thoughts
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro stands out as an excellent and affordable smart wearable, arriving just in time for the holiday season. The combination of enhanced battery life and a brighter, curvature display markedly elevates it above the Smart Band 8 Pro. It is a formidable choice for those seeking a reliable fitness tracker capable of delivering notifications and lasting for extended periods.
In a market where competition is fierce, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro presents a solid alternative, only rivaled by similar offerings from Huawei's Watch Fit series.
Pros
- Sleek design with a well-crafted 2.5D curved screen
- Responsive user interface with attractive watch faces
- Bright display visibility in all lighting conditions
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking features
- Outstanding battery longevity
- Cost-effective pricing
Cons
- Absence of a home button can be inconvenient
- Overestimates deep sleep duration
- No option to respond to notifications
You can purchase the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro from Amazon Germany here.
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