Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review: a fitness tracker with premium ambitions
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Pros
- Bright and vibrant AMOLED display
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Long battery life
- Reliable GPS and heart rate tracking
- Solid basic fitness and sleep tracking
Cons
- NFC limited to the Chinese market
- No built-in voice assistant
- Lacks advanced metrics like HRV
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro: One minute review
The €79.99 Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro feels like a refined update to last year’s Band 8 Pro. The brighter display stood out to me right away—it’s much easier to read outdoors. Battery life is another highlight. Even with some power-hungry features like all-day monitoring and GPS turned on, you will not be charging often. With more conservative settings, I can see Xiaomi’s claim of 21 days being achievable.
When it comes to fitness tracking, I found it to be pretty reliable. Xiaomi has a lot of experience in this area. More impressively, I found that GPS locks on quickly, and during my runs, it tracked almost identically to my Garmin. Heart rate monitoring was just as dependable, showing only slight variations. While there aren’t any groundbreaking new features, the improvements in accuracy make it a strong choice for both workouts and daily activity tracking.
The smart features are useful but have their limits. Notifications are handled well—you can read messages but not reply to them. Media controls are a nice touch. NFC remains a disappointment since it’s still restricted to the Chinese market, and the lack of a built-in voice assistant feels like a missed opportunity.
Overall, I think the Band 9 Pro builds on what Xiaomi does best. It’s not a dramatic overhaul, but the brighter display, improved battery life, and reliable tracking make it a thoughtful update. For me, it’s a great fitness tracker with just enough smartwatch features to keep things interesting.
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Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro: Technical specs
There isn’t that much that is different between this year’s version and last year’s Band 8 Pro. The table below summarises them.
Specification | Smart Band 9 Pro | Smart Band 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
Release date | October 2024 | October 2023 |
Dimensions | 43.27 x 32.49 x 10.8 mm | 46 x 33.35 x 9.99 mm |
Display | 1.74 inch AMOLED, 336 x 480 pixels, 1200 nits, 2.5D curved | 1.74 inch AMOLED, 336 x 480 pixels, 600 nits, flat glass |
Weight | 24.5 grams | 22.5 grams |
Positioning | BeiDou, GPS, Galileo, Glonass, QZSS | GPS, Galileo, Glonass, QZSS |
Battery type, life | 350 mAh, 21 days with normal use | 289 mAh, 14 days with normal use |
Colours | Black, Gold, Pink | Black, Grey |
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review: Design, hardware
Look & feel
- Bright 1.74-inch AMOLED display, 1200 nits brightness
- Lightweight, water-resistant design
- Customizable and user-friendly
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro continues the brand’s tradition of sleek, modern design, effectively bridging the gap between fitness tracker and smartwatch aesthetics. I wouldn’t classify it as a traditional fitness band, but it’s not a smartwatch either.
The 1.74-inch AMOLED display, consistent with the previous model, now boasts a peak brightness of 1200 nits. This is double that of its predecessor. The screen is therefore easy to read, even when exercising outdoors which is something I appreciate. The 60Hz refresh rate ensures smooth interactions, and the whole thing looks good on the wrist.
Adhering to a minimalist design, the Band 9 Pro operates without physical buttons, relying entirely on its responsive touchscreen for navigation. Users can swipe and tap through menus and widgets, with the device responding promptly to inputs. I actually think a discreet button would be useful – perhaps for the next iteration – particularly for stopping and starting exercises.
Measuring 43.27 x 32.49 x 10.8 mm and weighing 24.5 grams without the strap, the Band 9 Pro offers a comfortable fit for various wrist sizes. Its unisex design balances sporty and sophisticated elements. The 5 ATM water resistance rating ensures durability during swimming, showering, or exposure to rain. So no worries on that count.
Xiaomi provides various customization options, with the Band 9 Pro available in black, gold, and pink aluminum cases. The included TPU strap is comfortable for daily wear.
Swapping straps is easy – it literally takes only a few seconds. Simply press the button on each side. There are different strap materials and styles to choose from, such as woven or leather options. Some of these add lugs which you can use to attach standard bands. A diverse selection of watch faces allows for further personalization, and the optional always-on display feature can be scheduled to optimize battery life.
All in all, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a no-nonsense design that maintains the lightweight and stylish appeal of the series. The improvements in display brightness contribute to a better user experience, making it a good choice for those seeking a balance between functionality and aesthetics.
Under the hood
- Includes heart rate, SpO2 sensors
- Built-in GPS
- Bluetooth 5.3, but no global NFC support
Of course, looks are not all that is important. The Xiaomi Band 9 Pro brings a dependable selection of health and fitness sensors to the table, making it a worthy contender in the budget activity band category. The company has many years of experience so has this side of things nailed down.
The device features the standard accelerometer and gyroscope for motion sensing, alongside an optical heart rate sensor and a SpO2 sensor for monitoring blood oxygen levels. While the core sensor set remains pretty the same to that of the Band 8 Pro, Xiaomi has once again refined the underlying technology for improved performance. For instance, the heart rate sensor now offers greater accuracy, which is particularly beneficial during high-intensity workouts or periods of irregular activity.
Both the Band 9 Pro and its predecessor include built-in GPS, with support for multiple satellite systems, which continues to be one of the most notable features in Xiaomi’s Pro lineup. This allows users to track running, cycling, or hiking activities without needing to carry their smartphones. Much easier, for those who do this often.
Connectivity-wise, the Band 9 Pro sticks with Bluetooth 5.3. Unfortunately, NFC is still restricted to the Chinese market. This remains a letdown for users outside of that region, especially considering that many competing trackers now include NFC for global contactless payments. Also worth a mention is the linear vibration motor for nicer haptics.
Battery life: Still one of the best
- Offers up to 21 days of battery life
- Customizable settings
- Magnetic charging completes in about 75 minutes.
Long battery life has been a hallmark of the Xiaomi Smart Band series, and the Band 9 Pro continues to push the boundaries in this regard. Xiaomi advertises up to 21 days of use under typical conditions, a notable increase from the Band 8 Pro’s already impressive 14-day lifespan. This extended endurance is attributed to the larger 350mAh battery and an updated low-power chip, both of which ensure the device can handle its enhanced features without frequent recharging.
In practical use, battery performance will depend heavily on your settings. Features such as the always-on display, GPS tracking, and all-day health monitoring will reduce the time between charges. However, the flexibility to toggle these settings allows users to prioritize battery life or functionality as needed. Even with heavy use, such as enabling power-intensive features for my testing purposes, the Band 9 Pro easily lasts over 10 days. With more conservative settings, users can expect to reach the full 21 days Xiaomi claims.
Charging is straightforward, following the same system as the Band 8 Pro. A proprietary magnetic cable attaches to the back of the device, with the other end connecting to any standard USB port. A full charge takes approximately 75 minutes. For most users, short top-ups during breaks will keep the device running without ever letting the battery dip too low.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review: Health & fitness tracking
- Reliable tracking of steps, heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep
- Vitality score and Mi Fitness app aid habit building
- Mi Fitness app would benefit from improvements
When it comes to health and fitness tracking, the Xiaomi Band 9 Pro delivers a solid, no-nonsense experience. It tracks all the basics—steps, calories burned, heart rate, stress, and blood oxygen levels—alongside detailed sleep analysis. Xiaomi claims enhanced accuracy in both heart rate and sleep tracking this year, though in my experience, the improvements over last year’s Band 8 Pro are subtle. That’s not a criticism—last year’s accuracy was pretty good too.
Sleep tracking works well, offering a breakdown of light, deep, and REM sleep stages. However, at times, I did feel the sleep length was a bit generous. Heart rate and blood oxygen tracking are pretty reliable, providing consistent readings throughout the day.
Customization options are worth a mention. You can adjust heart rate sampling frequency, enable or disable blood oxygen monitoring, and choose between basic and advanced sleep tracking. High and low heart rate notifications are available for those who want to stay on top of sudden changes in their health metrics. As mentioned, all of this will influence battery longevity. But even with all the bells and whistles switched on, battery life is not something you will be thinking about often.
The Vitality score system makes a return this year, encouraging activity by assigning points for workouts, meeting step goals, and improving sleep patterns. It’s a motivating way to track your progress and build healthier habits over time. Although I did have an easier time understanding the PAI score. Perhaps it just takes time to get used to the new metric.
All your data syncs effortlessly with the Mi Fitness app. The app is as straightforward as ever, though it still feels a bit utilitarian in its design. A fresher look could make it more engaging, but it delivers the stats clearly and effectively.
Overall, the Band 9 Pro continues to offer dependable health and fitness tracking, with minor refinements that do not stray far from the reliable formula of its predecessor. I was hopeful the Band 9 Pro would finally get some more advanced metrics like HRV. Unfortunately, this is still something that is not available on Xiaomi’s smart bands. They excel at providing the core health tracking features most users need.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review: Sports tracking
- Good GPS accuracy and signal acquisition
- Reliable heart rate tracking
- Supports 150 sports modes, with some advanced metrics
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro delivers a solid sports tracking experience, showing improvement over its predecessor. One of the first things I noticed during my tests—a 10K and a 5K run—was how quickly the device captured the GPS signal. This is a step up from last year’s Band 8 Pro, which occasionally lagged in acquiring a GPS signal. It locked on just as fast as my Garmin Forerunner 955, which was on my other wrist, and the resulting route accuracy was nearly identical. On the 10K run through heavily built-up areas of central London, the difference was about 250 meters.
Heart rate tracking also impressed me. During both runs, the Band 9 Pro’s average and peak heart rate readings were remarkably close to those from the Garmin, with only slight differences. Considering the Garmin costs two to three times as much, this level of accuracy from Xiaomi is worth applauding. For example, in the 10K run the Xiaomi showed an average heart rate of 146bpm and a maximum of 159bpm. Garmin came in at 147bpm and 157bpm respectively.
The Band 9 Pro’s AMOLED display plays a key role in enhancing the experience. With its large size and vibrant colors, it made it easy to check stats like pace, distance, and heart rate at a glance, even while running. Almost a smartwatch-like experience.
Beyond the essentials, Xiaomi continues to cater to a variety of athletes with support for around 150 sports modes. The inclusion of advanced metrics like VO2 Max and Training Effect shows Xiaomi’s ambition to compete with more expensive devices. While these features are useful, their accuracy and refinement still lag slightly behind dedicated sports watches.
In terms of comfort, the Band 9 Pro excels. Its lightweight design and snug fit meant it stayed securely in place throughout my runs without being distracting. Combined with its improved GPS and heart rate performance, it’s clear that Xiaomi has stepped up its game as far as sports tracking.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review: Smartwatch features
- Good notifications but no replies or global NFC
- Smooth media controls and basic smartwatch tools
- No voice assistant, supports Alexa via phone
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a respectable selection of smartwatch-like features. Notifications are handled particularly well. Unread messages trigger a red dot on the watch face. Tapping on the notification reveals more content, with the app logo displayed prominently at the top and the message content below. You can also configure notifications to flash up instantly, ensuring you don’t miss anything important. However, replying to notifications isn’t supported, limiting interaction to reading only.
One notable omission is NFC functionality. While NFC is technically available, it remains restricted to the Chinese market, leaving users elsewhere without support for features like contactless payments.
The Band 9 Pro does include media controls. A dedicated widget and app let you play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust volume directly from your wrist. This is a handy addition for those who often listen to music or podcasts during workouts or commutes – and don’t want to reach for their phone.
One curious aspect is the absence of a voice assistant. The device features a visible mic hole on the plastic frame, yet no built-in assistant is available. This was the same situation with the Band 8 Pro. Presumably this is for the voice assistant that is available in China.
In addition to these features, the Band 9 Pro includes weather updates, alarms, a timer, and a “find my phone” option, rounding out its basic smartwatch offerings. While it doesn’t rival true smartwatches in terms of functionality, it delivers a solid mix of features for the price.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review: Should I buy?
Buy it if…
- You want a bright, responsive display that’s easy to read outdoors.
- Long battery life (up to 21 days) is important to you.
- You need reliable fitness tracking with accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring.
- You’re looking for a no-nonsense lightweight, comfortable fitness tracker with a touch of smartwatch functionality.
Dont buy it if…
- You need NFC for contactless payments outside of China.
- You want advanced health metrics like HRV or in-depth performance tracking.
- You’re looking for a device with a built-in voice assistant.
- You expect full smartwatch capabilities like replying to notifications or taking calls.
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