The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro cements itself as a powerful addition to Xiaomi’s popular lineup of wearables. With notable upgrades such as a bigger battery, brighter display, and built-in GPS, the Smart Band 9 Pro delivers an impressive mix of functionality and affordability. Priced at €80, it’s positioned as a premium option compared to its regular counterpart, offering features that cater to both fitness enthusiasts and casual users alike.
Design and Build: Sleek and Practical
At first glance, the Smart Band 9 Pro maintains the familiar design of its predecessors but adds thoughtful refinements:
- Display: A 1.74-inch AMOLED screen with 336×480 resolution and 1,200 nits brightness, making it twice as bright as the previous generation. The new 2.5D curved glass edges not only enhance usability but also add a premium touch.
- Bands: While the silicone band is practical for workouts, the optional €15 leather band elevates the design for more formal settings.
- No Home Button: The lack of a physical button keeps the design minimalist but may frustrate users during workouts or in wet conditions.
Health and Fitness Tracking: Comprehensive but Room for Improvement
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a robust suite of tracking features, including:
- Continuous Heart Rate and SpO2 Monitoring: Improved by 15% for accuracy.
- Sleep Tracking: Tracks light, REM, and deep sleep but struggles with overly optimistic deep sleep readings and misses some wake periods.
- Vitality Score: Combines fitness data to provide actionable insights for overall health improvement.
- GPS: Quick signal acquisition with reliable accuracy, making it a great companion for runners.
Battery Life: Exceptional Endurance
With an 18% larger battery, the Smart Band 9 Pro delivers:
- 14 days of light use with Always-On Display (AOD) turned off.
- 7 days of heavy use, including AOD and sleep tracking.
Charging is quick, taking just 1 hour and 26 minutes to reach full capacity.
Software and User Interface: Smooth and Intuitive
The proprietary OS is fast and responsive, offering:
- Customizable Watch Faces: Nine preloaded faces and hundreds more available via the Mi Fitness app.
- Widgets and Notifications: Swipe-based navigation for health stats, weather, and music controls, although the inability to reply to notifications is a limitation.
Performance Comparisons: Reliable Results
When tested alongside the Huawei Watch Fit 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic, the Smart Band 9 Pro held its own:
| Device | Distance | Pace | Avg Heart Rate | VO2 Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Watch6 | 4.06 km | 5’35″/km | 167 bpm | 41.2 |
| Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro | 4.14 km | 5’31″/km | 159 bpm | 38 |
| Huawei Watch Fit 2 | 4.23 km | 5’24″/km | 145 bpm | 46 |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sleek design with 2.5D curved screen.
- Bright and readable display, even in direct sunlight.
- Robust fitness tracking features.
- Exceptional battery life.
- Affordable price point.
Cons:
- Overly optimistic deep sleep tracking.
- No ability to reply to notifications.
- Missing a home button, which affects usability in certain conditions.