Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 9: Should you wait for the Global Edition?

Xiaomi has announced, a few days ago, the Mi Smart Band 9 for the Chinese market. You can pick up the device even if you don’t live in China through various retail outlets. But is that a good idea or should you wait until the Global Edition is released?

The Global Edition: A game of waiting

In 2024, we had to wait until the second half of July before Xiaomi unveiled the next iteration in the Mi Smart Band series. Last year, Mi Band 8 saw an April debut. But it is not until late September 2023 that the international version saw the light of day. Such a long period between the two iterations is not typical.

Historically, the gap between the release of the Chinese and Global editions of the Mi Band has been around three months. The long waiting period in 2023 sparked speculation. Some believed that the overwhelming success of the Chinese edition is what contributed to the wait. And that Xiaomi was prioritising domestic demand. That is certainly plausible.

The other possible explanation linked the longer wait with Huami. That outfit was previously responsible for manufacturing the Mi Band. As of 2023, this had shifted back to Xiaomi.

Noone knows when the Global Edition will hit the market in 2024. It could be anywhere between now and October. The one thing we are certain of is that it will launch before the all-important holiday shopping period. This begins in the second half of November. It would not make any sense to delay the launch any further.

Why wait for the Global Edition?

Many international users frustrated by the long wait in 2023 opted to purchase the Chinese edition. Ultimately, a few opted to apply a patch developed by a third party developer to convert the Chinese edition to a Global version. But this is unofficial software and there’s always a risk when installing something like that.

Xiaomi has explicitly stated that they do not support converting the Chinese edition to a global one. The risks involved range from voiding your warranty to potentially rendering your device unusable. In other words, you’re venturing into uncharted territory, and you should be prepared for all possible outcomes.

Here are a few reasons why it is better to wait for the Global Edition:

Compatibility of languages and software

The global edition’s most significant advantage is its software compatibility. It includes firmware that supports multiple languages, making it easier to use for non-Chinese speakers. The Chinese edition, on the other hand, primarily supports Mandarin (and English to an extent), which will pose a language barrier for international users.

Customised features and services

The global edition is intended for international users. This means that it frequently includes features and services designed to meet the needs and preferences of users outside of China. It, for example, may provide better integration with popular international apps and services, resulting in a more seamless user experience.

Customer service and warranty

Buying the global edition also ensures that you can take advantage of Xiaomi’s international customer support and warranty services. If you have any problems with your device, you can contact Xiaomi’s customer service for help. Support for the Chinese edition, on the other hand, may be more difficult to obtain if you live outside of China.

Compliance with regulations

The global edition is intended to comply with the rules and regulations of various international markets. This means that it satisfies their safety, health, and environmental standards. The Chinese edition, on the other hand, is primarily intended to comply with Chinese regulations, which may differ from international standards.

Compatibility with networks

While this is less of a problem with a fitness tracker like the Mi Band, some devices may have network compatibility issues if purchased outside of their intended market. The global edition ensures that all of its features and services function properly regardless of where you are.

Mi Band 9 vs Mi Band 8: A quick comparison

The Mi Band 9 continues the legacy of its predecessor, the Mi Band 8, but with a few improvements. With a 1.62-inch OLED display and a sleek, fitness-focused design, both models have a similar design aesthetic. However, the Mi Band 9 boasts a maximum brightness of 1200 nits, an improvement over the Mi Band 8’s 600 nits.

Beyond that there are no visual changes. But there are some under the hood.

While the sensors are identical, the Mi Band 9 has a 16% more accurate heart rate sensor than its predecessor. And sleep tracking is said to be around 9% more precise, with detailed sleep insights.

Essential reading:  Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 vs 7: should you upgrade?

Another improvement is the slightly longer battery life. You now get around 21 days with normal use, so 5 more days than before.

And let’s not forget the vibration motor. The Smart Band 9 packs 20 distinct vibration modes, providing more nuanced haptic feedback compared to the Smart Band 8.

Making the decision

The Mi Band 9 promises to deliver a feature-rich, affordable, and customisable fitness tracking experience. Having said that, the changes are probably not important enough for Smart Band 8 owners to upgrade. However, if you are a first time buyer or someone with an older device – you may as well go for the new one.

Our advice is, not to do anything until global release. The wait will likely be worth it. This is due to the benefits it offers in terms of language and software compatibility, tailored features, customer support, regulatory compliance, and network compatibility.

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