Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review: refined but familiar
Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Pros
- More premium build than before
- Great heart rate accuracy during exercise
- The 1200 nits brightness makes the AMOLED screen highly visible
- Versatile wear options
- Long battery life
Cons
- No built-in GPS
- Still prone to scratching
Xiaomi is the king of the budget fitness band space, and we all know that. Now, the company has officially launched the Smart Band 9 globally. While Xiaomi’s wearable was domestically unveiled earlier in the year, in 2024 there was a slight delay. However, the international launch is happening a bit sooner then last year.
This latest iteration builds on the solid foundation of its predecessors, offering subtle refinements aimed at keeping Xiaomi at the forefront of the budget-friendly wearable market. Users can expect a brighter display, extended battery life, and more accurate health tracking capabilities—at least, that’s the promise. But how does it stack up in real life? Let’s find out.
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Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review: Design, hardware
Look & feel
When I first got my hands on the Xiaomi Smart Band 9, the upgrade in build quality was immediately apparent. The aluminum alloy body gives the device a much more premium feel compared to its predecessor’s high-strength fiber polymer construction. It’s a subtle change, but one that really elevates the overall experience.
This is a budget fitness band, but you wouldn’t know this by looking at it. I would say the device punches above its price tag in the look and feel department. Particularly when you look at the other options on the market.
The sandblasted finish gives the band a sleek, high-end look that feels durable. Having said that, I found that scratching was still an issue, with minor abrasions showing up. So if you plan on using the band for a few years, you may want to consider a screen protector.
The device is also available in a special ceramic edition for those looking for a more luxurious touch. Though I haven’t tested that version myself so can’t comment.
The familiar curved, rectangular shape that has become a hallmark of the series remains, but the Band 9 is slightly more compact. At 46.5 × 21.6 × 10.95mm, it’s a fraction smaller than the Band 8, though the difference is hardly noticeable when worn. Despite the aluminum body, the weight increase is minimal – just 2.3 grams heavier at 15.8 grams without the strap.
One of the highlights of the 5 ATM rated device is the upgraded display. While it maintains the same 1.62-inch AMOLED screen with a 192 x 490 pixel resolution as its predecessor, the brightness has been doubled to 1200 nits and the ambient light sensor is faster. The screen really is a joy to look at both indoors and out. Despite age-related deteriorating eye sight, I had no problems reading my stats mid-run.
Xiaomi has stuck with the buttonless design, relying on a touch-based interface for navigation. And this works well. But while this keeps the design clean, I did occasionally miss having a physical button, especially during workouts. A discreet physical button on the bottom or the side would be nice for the next itertion in the series.
As before, you get versatile wearing options. While I mostly wore it on my wrist, the ability to wear it as a pendant or even attach it to shoes is there. However, it’s worth noting that you’ll only get heart rate and other detailed data when worn on the wrist. You also need to make sure to specify in the app how you are wearing the band. Otherwise it might attempt to capture your shoe’s heart rate!
The TPU strap included with the Smart Band 9 is comfortable enough for daily use, but the real appeal lies in its easy-to-swap mechanism. It is really cleverly done and few seconds is all it takes to detach the band. With lots of options, you can not only enhance comfort but also give the device a fresh new look whenever you feel like switching things up.
Overall, the look and feel improvements of the Band 9 may seem incremental. And they are. But they do represent a noticeable upgrade in premium feel and usability. The small changes add up.
Under the hood: Refinements and more accuracy
Dive deeper into the Xiaomi Smart Band 9’s internals and you’ll find a mix of familiar components and some upgrades. The device retains the 6-axis sensor setup of its predecessor, including a low power-consumption 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope. These form the backbone of the Band 9’s motion tracking capabilities. The PPG heart rate sensor and SpO2 monitor are also there, but Xiaomi claims they’re now 16% more precise than in previous models. In my testing, I did notice improvements in heart rate accuracy, especially during high-intensity workouts.
Connectivity has seen a modest upgrade, with the Band 9 sporting Bluetooth 5.4, a step up from the Band 8’s 5.1. This translates to faster syncing with your smartphone and potentially improved energy efficiency.
As with previous models, the Band 9 relies on connected GPS rather than having built-in GPS. While this helps keep the device cheap and battery-efficient, it does mean you’ll need to bring your phone along for accurate route tracking during outdoor activities. Which is not ideal, but is to be expected from a budget fitness band.
I have not heart anything yet about a potential Band 9 Pro. If and when it does launch, that one will come packing build-in GPS.
The new linear vibration motor is a subtle but appreciated upgrade. With 20 distinct vibration modes, you can set it up to provide more nuanced haptic feedback. This is not something you’ll find on many other budget fitness bands. For example, you can set one type of vibration for alarms, another for message notifications, etc. You get the idea.
Battery life: Still one of the best
Moving quickly on and we get to battery life. This has never been a problem for Xiaomi Mi Bands. Unsurprisingly, version 9 continues in this tradition.
The device houses a 233 mAh battery, up from the 190 mAh in the Band 8. According to advertised specs, this is good for up to 21 days under normal use a nice increase from the Band 8’s 16-day claim. In my real-world testing, I found these claims to be a bit optimistic but not entirely unrealistic.
With moderate use, including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a couple of workouts per week, I got a few days less than the claimed battery life. However, its worth nothing that I switched all the bells and whistles on, such as the highest available heart rate monitoring frequency, advanced sleep monitoring, breathing rate assessment and more.
I didn’t switch on the Always-on Display feature, though. Because this is one area where battery life really takes a hit. With this on, Xiaomi suggests you can expect about 9 days of use. It’s a noticeable drop, but still impressive compared to many competing devices.
Charging remains quick and convenient, with the Band 9 going from empty to full in about an hour. An occasional quick top-up every few days is enough to keep the device going indefinitely.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review: Health & fitness tracking
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 builds upon its predecessor’s health and fitness tracking capabilities with some slight improvements. The heart rate monitor, which Xiaomi claims is 16% more accurate, did show improved performance in my testing. The real-time heart rate monitoring, which checks every minute (depending on settings), provides a good balance between accuracy and battery life. You can also manually trigger a reading at any time for instant feedback.
Sleep tracking has also seen an upgrade, with Xiaomi boasting 7.9% more accurate sleep data. In practice, I found the sleep tracking to be more nuanced, better at detecting short wake periods during the night and more accurate in identifying different sleep stages. So a slight change there. The Band 9 also provides sleep quality scores and recommendations for improving sleep. Resting heart rate was, in general, in line with my Garmin. And you get some nice extras such as a comparison to which sleep animal you are.
However, one contentious change is the switch from the PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) score used in previous models to a new Vitality score. While the Vitality score aims to provide a holistic view of your health, I found it less intuitive and motivating than the PAI system.
The SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen monitoring remains a valuable feature, especially for those with respiratory concerns or those training at high altitudes. However, it’s worth noting that like most wearables, this should not be considered a medical-grade measurement. Stress monitoring and female health tracking round out the health features, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for monitoring overall wellbeing. Still no heart rate variability data, though.
You can view most of this information on the Band itself. However, the real repository of detailed information is the Mi Fitness app. The Android edition of the software has recently undergone a revamp – mostly visual. You can see some screenshots below, the app is clean and simple to use.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review: Sports tracking
When it comes to sports tracking, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 has expanded its capabilities slightly as compared to last year’s version. It now supports over 150 sport modes. This wide range covers everything from common activities like running, cycling, and swimming to more niche sports like rock climbing and esports. I found the variety impressive, though the depth of data for some of the more obscure activities is somewhat limited.
Another feature is the inclusion of ten built-in running courses that can be started directly from the wrist. These guided workouts are there for beginners or those looking to add structure to their running routine. The swimming mode, which was notably absent in the Band 8, makes a welcome return in the Band 9.
As a keen runner, I was mostly interested in testing out its heart rate accuracy. As mentioned earlier, the Band 9 relies on connected GPS, which means you’ll need to bring your phone along for accurate route tracking during outdoor activities.
While this might be a drawback for some, I found the GPS tracking to be reliable and quick to connect when paired with my smartphone. Also, once initiated – you can tuck the phone in your pocket or rucksack. Pausing and ending the exercise can be done from the Band.
There were some slight discrepancies as far as GPS compared to the Garmin Forerunner 955 on my other wrist, though. But that’s to be expected and it largely depends on the quality of your phone’s satellite connection.
I tested it out on a few runs. I’ll take the example of the most recent run – a 7.5km.
The Xiaomi measured a distance of 7.51km while the Garmin measured 7.63km. The average heart rate and maximum heart rate on the Mi Band 9 were 142bpm and 160bpm, respectively. On the Garmin they were 142bpm and 158bpm. So almost spot on. Cadence was also nearly identical.
The 10K run before that produced similar results. Again a slight discrepancy in GPS. But, this time, both the average heart rate, at 143bpm, and the maximum heart rate, at 154bpm, were identical! Not something that you’d expect from a budget fitness band. I really was really surprised.
The post-workout analysis in the Mi Fitness app provides a good overview of your performance, including pace, heart rate zones, and estimated calorie burn. However, hard-core runners might find the depth of analysis somewhat lacking compared to more specialized sports watches. You do get things such as Vo2Max and Training Load, but not much beyond that.
A nice add-on is the running clip. Remove from strap and slot the main unit inside, attach to your shoe and you’ll get a bunch of running or walking dynamics metrics. This includes info on your foot strike, ground contact time, impact force and more. Useful to check from time to time.
Here is a short video I recorded on how to use the Pebble mode.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review: Smartwatch features
While the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 primarily excels as a fitness tracker, it also offers a few smart features. Notifications are a key part of this, and I found the Band 9’s implementation to be generally effective. The device reliably relays notifications from your smartphone, including calls, texts, and app alerts. The larger, brighter display makes these notifications easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The new linear vibration motor with 20 distinct vibration modes adds a layer of nuance to these alerts.
However, the smart features are somewhat hampered by some limitations of the Mi Fitness app. The lack of custom watch faces, a feature available in previous generations, is disappointing.
On the positive side, the Band 9 does offer some useful everyday tools. These include weather forecasts, alarms, timers, and a ‘find my phone’ feature. The device also supports basic music controls for your connected smartphone, though it lacks onboard music storage. It’s worth noting that while NFC is available, it’s currently limited to the Chinese market for mobile payments. Despite these limitations, the Smart Band 9 provides a decent set of smart features for its price point.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review: The bottom line
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 has made some noteworthy improvements over its predecessor. The aluminum alloy body gives the device a much more premium feel, the brighter display significantly enhances outdoor visibility, and the upgraded sensors provide more accurate health and fitness monitoring. Heart rate tracking during exercise is particularly impressive. The expanded range of sport modes and the addition of built-in running courses are also welcome features. Battery life, always a strong point for Xiaomi’s bands, remains impressive, even with the more power-hungry display.
On the flip side, the loss of custom watch faces and potential for scratching should be noted. The new Vitality score, while aiming to provide a holistic health view, lacks the intuitive appeal of the previous PAI system.
All things considered, it is clear that this iteration is more of a refinement than a revolution. For owners of the Band 8 or even the Band 7, the upgrades may not be significant enough to justify an immediate switch. But for those entering the fitness tracking market or upgrading from much older models, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is an excellent choice. With pricing starting at €39.99, its combination of features, accuracy, and battery life at its price point is hard to beat.
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