Full review: Xiaomi Smart Band 9

What’s in the limelight these days? Health and fitness. Just as they should. One good example is running. It has become so popular that you’ll probably see someone in every corner flexing their colorful running ‘fits and fresh, new running kicks. To complete the look and track their progress, the running bunch always has a smartwatch on their wrists.

It’s very timely that Xiaomi launched the Smart Band 9. It aims to be your running companion by providing comprehensive metrics for a better overview of your performance. It also comes in a stylish and sleek package to match your running OOTD. Running-centric features aside, what else does this wearable offer? Read on to find out. 

Design and build

One cannot deny the power of style. Perhaps that’s why Xiaomi has a strong appeal brought about by its minimalist, yet fashionable design. It knows that theatrics aren’t necessary, straightforwardness and functionality will suffice. And that’s exactly what the Smart Band 9 offers.

It comes in four sleek metallic frames made of aluminum alloy: Glacier Silver, Midnight Black, Arctic Blue, and Mystic Rose. The last one is what I got to try out. Wearing it even while sleeping feels light (15.8g without the strap and 10.95mm) and unintrusive. 

You can easily customize the strap based on your style for the day — be it for sports or formal events. The strap that my review unit came with is made with TPU material, which is waterproof. This makes it ideal for adventurous users who love to engage in watersports. They can also take advantage of the 5ATM water resistance. 

Display

Up front, you’ll receive a bright and vivid greeting from the 1.62-inch AMOLED display with 192 x 490 resolution. This makes it a great companion for outdoor activities as it retains proper visibility with an upgraded 1200 nits peak brightness compared to its predecessor. It’s also highly intuitive and easy to navigate. Additionally, you have 200+ band faces and dynamic faces to choose from to match your personality, style, or outfit. 

Health features

For this new iteration, one of the key highlights is the improved accuracy in health monitoring. According to Xiaomi, heart rate monitoring has improved by 16% compared to its predecessor to give you a better picture of your overall heart health.

For a more comprehensive approach, you can measure your blood oxygen saturation, stress levels, and vitality. What I found personally relevant was knowing my sleep score. It gives me detailed, professional insights on how I can improve my sleep quality, so I can function well the next day. 

Sports and fitness

I also witnessed firsthand its accuracy while measuring the distance I traveled during the Xiaomi Run 2024, notifying me every kilometer. This helped me measure how long it took to finish certain distances. That way, I can challenge myself to complete them in a shorter period. 

For running, the smartwatch also records plenty of other key metrics, like VO2 max, average pace and cadence, recovery time, and vitality score, among others. Yes, the Smart Band 9 specializes in running and cycling, but if those aren’t your thing, you can choose from 150+ sports modes.

Compatibility

To access your stats and reap the full benefits of the smartwatch, you can download the Mi Fitness app. The Smart Band 9 is also compatible with Android 8.0 and above and iOS 12.0 and above. 

Battery 

Battery life is one of the strongest suits of the Smart Band 9. It generously provides users a 21-day battery life with regular, non-intensive use, and nine days with always-on display activated. The lengthy battery life is paired with a brief charging time — exactly an hour to achieve 0 to 100%. 

Verdict

Everything considered, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a highly versatile accessory that excels in numerous fronts, especially when it comes to the style and health needs of the wearer. It’s also quite notable that they’ve paid attention to small details like screen brightness, comprehensive running metrics, and accuracy in health monitoring. Subtle, but appreciated. For the price point of PHP1,999, you truly get more than your money’s worth.