Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 vs 8: Only slight improvements
The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 has finally arrived, a bit later than usual. The company typically unveils a new generation in May or early June, but this year we had to wait until the second half of July. As they say, better late than never.
The new version builds upon the solid foundation laid by the predecessor editions. However, not too much different this time around, a slight tweak here and there. As compared to previous years, the upgrades are definitely fewer and further between.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
But what exactly are they? And is it worth upgrading if you have the predecessor generation. I delve into all that and more.
Key takeaways
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers subtle improvements over its predecessor. Here we are talking about a brighter display, slightly longer battery life, more accurate health tracking, along with some design tweaks. In reality, not much to write home about. And yes, these enhancements are welcome. But they are not important enough for Smart Band 8 owners to upgrade. However, if you are a first time buyer you may as well go for the new one once it becomes internationally available.
View on Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Mi Smart Band 8).
Jump to
Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Price
Bottom line
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 vs 8: Hardware
Look & feel
Starting off with design, and we get some subtle changes. First off, both devices maintain the familiar curved, rectangular shape that has become a hallmark of the series. However, the Smart Band 9 features an aluminum alloy body treated with sandblasting technology, offering a more premium feel compared to the Smart Band 8’s high-strength fibre polymer construction. Another novelty this year is the addition of a ceramic model.
Worth noting is that neither device includes physical buttons. Some are a fan of this concept, others may have been hoping for a discreet button as it can be useful. For example if your hands are wet. But Xiaomi has opted for a touch-based interface for navigating menus.
In terms of size, the Smart Band 9 is a fraction smaller at 46.53 × 21.63 × 10.95mm, while the Smart Band 8 measures 48 × 22.5 × 10.99mm. There is also a bit of difference in weight, but nothing you will notice as both devices are incredibly lightweight.
As before, you get versatile wearing options. The primary method, of course, is the classic wrist-wear. But both models can also be worn as a pendant necklace, adding a touch of style to casual or formal outfits. Uniquely, these smart bands can be attached to shoes, providing more accurate step tracking and running metrics. Worth noting, though, is that you will only get heart rate and other detailed data if you wear it on your wrist.
Display, colour options, water resistance
The display on both models is a 1.62-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 192 x 490 pixels. However, the Smart Band 9 boasts a significant improvement in brightness, offering 1200 nits compared to the Smart Band 8’s 600 nits. This should help to improve outdoor visibility.
Both devices also maintain a 5 ATM water resistance rating. Excellent water resistance of wearables has become pretty standard these days.
As for color options, the Smart Band 9 is available in silver, black, pink, and blue, while the Smart Band 8 comes in black and light gold. The Smart Band 9 also offers a special ceramic edition, providing users with more premium material choices compared to its predecessor.
Sensor technology
Under the hood, the duo is equipped with a 6-axis sensor, including a low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope. They also feature PPG heart rate sensors and SpO2 monitoring capabilities. However, the Smart Band 9 boasts improved accuracy, with heart rate and blood oxygen sensors that are 16% more precise than those in the Smart Band 8.
Despite talk on social media, neither device includes built-in GPS. They instead rely on connected GPS through a smartphone. The models utilize Bluetooth for connectivity, with the Smart Band 9 upgrading to Bluetooth 5.4 from the Smart Band 8’s Bluetooth 5.1, potentially offering improved performance and energy efficiency. NFC functionality is available, but only in China-specific versions for both models. Neither the Smart Band 9 nor the Smart Band 8 offers onboard music storage or playback capabilities.
Battery life
One of the areas that has seen improvement is battery life. The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 houses a larger 233 mAh battery compared to the Smart Band 8’s 190 mAh capacity. This upgrade translates to an extended battery life of up to 21 days under normal use for the Smart Band 9 (18 days for the NFC version), compared to the Smart Band 8’s 16-day battery life. When using the Always-on Display feature, the Smart Band 9 can last up to 9 days, while the Smart Band 8 manages 6 days. Both devices require approximately one hour for a full charge, which is impressive considering the Smart Band 9’s increased battery capacity.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 vs 8: Technical specs
This table highlights the key differences and similarities between the two models.
Feature | Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 | Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 |
|---|---|---|
Release date | Jul-24 | Apr-23 |
Case material | Aluminum alloy body treated with sandblasting technology, special ceramic edition | High strength fibre polymer, TPU wristband |
Number of physical buttons | 0 | 0 |
Shape | Curved, rectangular | Curved, rectangular |
Size | 46.53 × 21.63 × 10.95 mm | 48 mm × 22.5 mm × 10.99 mm |
Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
Resolution | 192 x 490 pixels, 1200 nits | 192 x 490 pixels, 600 nits |
Screen size | 1.62 inch | 1.62 inch |
Weight (without strap) | 15.8 grams | 13.5 grams |
Sensors | 6-axis sensor: Low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope, PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2 | 6-axis sensor: Low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope, PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2 |
Water-resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Positioning | Connected GPS | Connected GPS |
Built-in speaker | No | No |
Microphone | No | No |
NFC | China only | China only |
Music storage | No | No |
Connection | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
Cellular connectivity | No | No |
Battery type | 233 mAh | 190 mAh |
Battery life | 21 days of normal use (18 days for the NFC version) or 9 days with the Always on Display feature activated. 1 hour to charge fully. | Up to 16 days; with always on display 6 days; 1 hour to charge to full |
Operating system | HyperOS | Proprietary |
Colors | Silver, black, pink, and blue | Black, Light Gold |
Typical RRP | $45 | $45 |
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 vs 8: Features
The devices offer pretty much the same health and fitness features. However, the Smart Band 9 introduces some slight improvements. It supports over 150 sport modes, compared to the Smart Band 8’s already impressive range. The Smart Band 9 also introduces ten built-in running courses that can be started directly from the wrist, a feature not present in its predecessor.
We already mentioned the improved accuracy of heart rate tracking. Sleep tracking has also been enhanced in the Smart Band 9. The new device offers 7.9% more accurate sleep data along with expert advice and recommendations for improving sleep quality.
And that’s pretty much it. We weren’t kidding when we said the improvements in this latest generation are subtle.
Smartwatch-type features
As for smartwatch-type features, both models offer notifications, alarms, and basic app interactions. The Smart Band 9 features an upgraded vibration motor with 20 distinct vibration modes, providing more nuanced haptic feedback compared to the Smart Band 8. This enhancement improves the overall user experience for various notifications and alerts.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 vs 8: Price
Pricing for the Xiaomi Smart Band series remains competitive and largely unchanged. In China, the Smart Band 9 is priced at around $35 for the standard version, matching the typical retail price of the Smart Band 8. The NFC version of the Smart Band 9 is slightly more expensive at $42. Xiaomi has also introduced a special ceramic edition of the Smart Band 9, priced at $48, offering a more premium option. International pricing and availability for the Smart Band 9 have not been announced yet, but if it follows the pattern of previous releases, it should remain in a similar price range to its predecessor when it reaches global markets.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9 vs 8: Final thoughts
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers incremental improvements over its predecessor. The most notable enhancements include a brighter display, extended battery life, and more accurate health sensors. While the design remains largely unchanged, the aluminum alloy body and optional ceramic edition provide a more premium feel. The introduction of built-in running courses and improved sleep tracking functionality also adds value for fitness enthusiasts.
However, the upgrades are not substantial enough to warrant an immediate switch for Smart Band 8 owners. The core functionality remains similar, and the price point is virtually unchanged. For new buyers or those upgrading from older models, the Smart Band 9 is the package to go for as it balances features, performance and affordability.
View on Xiaomi; View on Amazon (Mi Smart Band 8).
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