Xiaomi has just launched the latest version of its smart band. The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 features a metal casing, improved heart rate and sleep monitoring, a brighter display, and a more efficient battery. Want to find out what this attractively priced electronic gadget can do and how it performs in everyday use? Read on for my review of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9.
Design and build
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 retains the slim, pill-shaped design of the previous generation of this smart band. And that comes as no surprise to me. It looks lightweight and modern.
What has changed, however, is the material used for the frame surrounding the device. This time, Xiaomi has opted for semi-matte aluminium, making its latest smart band not only more durable, but also more elegant.
The set includes a rubber strap, although straps made from other materials will also be available to purchase separately, allowing you to match the smart band more closely to your outfit. For this Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review, I received the silver version, although the strap itself is more of a greyish silver. Black, blue, and pink versions are also available. They all look equally stylish.
The band measures 46.53 × 21.63 × 10.95 mm and weighs just under 16 grams without the strap. You can barely feel it on your wrist, and it is genuinely comfortable to wear. Nothing feels tight, while the sensors used for health measurements and sports activity tracking protrude only very slightly from the plastic underside of the casing.
It is also worth mentioning that the latest Xiaomi smart band has a 5 ATM water-resistance rating, so you do not need to worry about getting it wet or swimming while wearing it. Unfortunately, I was unable to test it in a swimming pool because the one I usually go to was undergoing renovation. However, I did wear the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 in the shower, and it suffered no ill effects.
Display and controls
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 features a 1.62-inch AMOLED display. The colours are beautifully saturated and the screen is very easy to read. Even in direct sunlight, I had no trouble reading what was displayed.
Compared with the previous generation, brightness has doubled from 600 to an impressive 1,200 nits. The brightness level can be adjusted automatically according to ambient conditions, helping to conserve battery power. An always-on display function is also available.
The band is operated entirely via the touchscreen. Nothing has changed in this respect, as there are no physical buttons or crown. The display responds instantly to touch, and I had no problems selecting functions or apps accurately.
Depending on which direction you swipe across the screen, you can access the menu, settings, notifications, and widgets. The widgets can be used to control music playback or display the weather. I was particularly impressed by how quickly everything launches and how smoothly it works.
There are plenty of options for customising the settings. Naturally, you can also customise the watch face to suit your preferences, and there is certainly no shortage of options. According to Xiaomi, more than 200 different watch faces are available!
Like the settings, watch faces can be changed both directly on the smart band and through the Mi Fitness app, which is required to pair the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 with a smartphone.
Battery and charging
The battery life of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is impressive! According to the manufacturer, a fully charged battery lasts up to 21 days with normal use, up to 9 days with the always-on display (AOD) enabled, and more than 6.5 days under heavy use.
I used the band for six days, with AOD enabled for most of that time, and the battery level dropped from 100% to 60%. I think that is excellent because having to charge devices frequently is something I personally find annoying.
The band is charged using the short cable included in the box. You will need a power source with a USB port, as that is the connector found on one end of the cable. You can use, for example, a smartphone charger or laptop. The other end, featuring two pins, attaches to the appropriate spot on the underside of the band. Charging itself is relatively quick.
Sports with the Xiaomi Smart Band 9
Xiaomi's latest smart band can track more than 150 sports and activities. These are divided into categories such as outdoor activities, ball sports, combat sports, and dance. There is even a card and board games category that includes activities such as chess and bridge.
Runners also have access to dedicated training courses with useful tips. Depending on your fitness level, you can choose anything from jogging sessions to interval training for experienced runners.
During a workout, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 records data including average heart rate, heart rate zones, training load, and, for running or walking, stride length. It also provides information about recovery time and vitality. You can view the statistics both in the app and directly on the band's display.
Statistics such as step count, calories burned, and time spent exercising also encourage you to stay active. They can be displayed graphically as well. Anyone who currently owns, or has previously owned, a smart band or smartwatch will certainly know what I mean.
It is also worth mentioning that runners can attach the smart band to their shoe using a special clip.
Health monitoring
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a useful device for people who care about their health. It continuously monitors your heart rate and sends notifications when it detects readings outside the normal range, allowing you to react quickly to potentially concerning changes.
The band also measures blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), which can be particularly useful during intense exercise or periods of stress.
If you go to bed wearing the Xiaomi Smart Band 9, which is comfortable enough not to interfere with falling asleep, the band will provide a fairly detailed analysis of your sleep. You will receive information about deep and light sleep, breathing rate, sleep stages, and average sleep duration.
You will also receive personalised advice on how to improve your sleep quality. And if you wear the band to bed for seven nights, you will find out what kind of “sleep animal” you are.
You can also measure your stress level. I have to admit that this works quite well. I was rushing to finish this review for you as quickly as possible, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 confirmed that I was experiencing a little stress. The band can also provide information about your vitality.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 review: verdict
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 retains the slim design of the previous generation but gains a metal casing that gives it a more elegant appearance. Its AMOLED display is now considerably brighter, making it exceptionally easy to read even in direct sunlight.
The band can track more than 150 sports and activities, while runners benefit from dedicated training courses and guidance. It also helps users keep an eye on their health by monitoring heart rate and blood oxygen levels and analysing sleep.
Combined with its very long battery life and extremely attractive price, all of this makes the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 an excellent choice for active, health-conscious people who are on a limited budget or simply do not want to spend a lot of money on a smartwatch or other more expensive device.
