Xiaomi Smart Band 9 – Pros and Cons Review
A Budget Fitness Tracker That Packs a Punch
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9, released in late September 2024, continues the brand’s legacy of delivering feature-rich fitness trackers at an affordable price. It’s one of the most budget-friendly fitness bands from a well-known brand. After spending some time with this sleek device, I’m impressed by its balance of style, functionality, and value, though it’s not without a few quirks. Here’s a detailed look at its pros and cons.
Design and Build: Premium Look on a Budget
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 sports a refined design that feels more premium than its price suggests. The shift to an aluminum alloy frame from the plastic of previous models gives it a sturdy, high-end feel. At just 15.8g (without strap), it’s feather-light and comfortable for 24/7 wear, barely noticeable during workouts or sleep. The 1.62-inch AMOLED display, with a 192 x 490 resolution and 1200 nits peak brightness, is a standout. It’s vibrant, sharp, and readable even in direct sunlight, with an improved ambient light sensor for seamless auto-brightness adjustments. The button-less, touch-based interface is smooth, though I occasionally wished for a physical button during intense workouts.The band comes in multiple color options (black, silver, light blue, rose, gray) with swappable TPU straps, and a quick-release mechanism makes customization a breeze. However, the default silicone strap felt a bit flimsy and slipped off during sleep a couple of times, which was mildly annoying. A 5ATM water resistance rating ensures it’s swim-ready, making it versatile for water-based activities.
Features and Performance: Robust for the Price
The Smart Band 9 offers an impressive suite of health and fitness tracking features. With over 150 sports modes, it caters to everything from running to niche activities like chess. Heart rate monitoring, improved by 16% according to Xiaomi, was reliable during low- to moderate-intensity workouts but showed discrepancies of up to 20 BPM during high-intensity sessions when compared to a chest strap. Sleep tracking provides detailed breakdowns of light, deep, and REM stages, though it occasionally misread awake time as sleep. SpO2, stress, and female health tracking add to its comprehensive health monitoring.Smart features include notifications, music controls, weather updates, and a phone finder, all handled competently via the Mi Fitness app. The app is intuitive, with detailed analytics and third-party syncing (Apple Health, Google Fit), though pairing can be finicky, and occasional syncing delays were noted. The lack of built-in GPS is a significant drawback, requiring a phone for accurate route tracking, which may frustrate runners.
Battery Life: A Standout Feature
Battery life is a highlight, with a 233mAh battery delivering up to 21 days of typical use. In my testing, with heart rate monitoring and occasional workouts, it lasted around 16-18 days, outpacing many competitors. Charging takes about 1.5 hours, and smart power-saving algorithms help stretch battery life further.
PROS
- Affordable price
- Bright, vibrant 1.62-inch AMOLED display
- Lightweight, premium aluminum build
- Long battery life (up to 21 days)
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
CONS
- No built-in GPS
- Inconsistent heart rate accuracy during intense workouts
- Flimsy default silicone strap
- Occasional app syncing issues
FINAL VERDICT
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a stellar choice for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts or beginners. Its premium design, vivid display, and long battery life make it a standout in the sub-$70 category. While the lack of GPS and occasional tracking inaccuracies are drawbacks, they’re forgivable at this price. If you’re after a reliable, stylish fitness tracker without breaking the bank, the Smart Band 9 is hard to beat.
Post Comment