Smart bracelets have quickly become an indispensable accessory for many people, combining style with functionality. Convenience, versatility, and health monitoring support are useful not only for active leisure enthusiasts, but also for those who have nothing to do with sports.

However, in a wide sea of choices, many can get lost. So what to choose? Today I will discuss what advantages and disadvantages I noticed while using the new Xiaomi Smart Band 9. Can a tempting price guarantee quality? Or maybe this will be something new in the smart bracelet market?

Unboxing

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 bracelets are packaged in boxes with a minimalist and modern look. True, compared to the packaging of older models, the design is very similar. The front of the package clearly shows the image of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 bracelet, and the back side highlights the main specifications of the device.

The box is made of sturdy cardboard, with a smooth, matte finish. This type of packaging will definitely protect the bracelet from bumps or scratches during transportation. Inside, you'll find a traditional look: the bracelet is packed in a protective bag, along with a user manual and a magnetic charging cable.

First impressions

First of all, the elegant appearance of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 caught my attention. The smart bracelet is not only stylish, but also practical. At first glance, the aluminum body seemed solid, and the materials were of high quality. I was surprised by the compactness and lightness of the smart device. Don't expect a bulky and inconvenient size. This 15.8-gram device retains the lightness and thin shape characteristic of the Mi Band series, so sometimes I even forget that I'm wearing a bracelet.

The entire front of the bracelet is made up of a 60 Hz AMOLED screen. When the bracelet is turned on, the oval-shaped screen delivers extremely bright colors and clear images. On the inside, between the plastic-covered body, we have sensors and a charging connector. On the edges there are two small push-buttons for removing the strap.

Functionality

As I mentioned, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is quite small, so there is no room for physical buttons. The main control, like in previous models, is performed via a touch-sensitive screen, while more advanced functions are performed in the Mi Fitness app.

There is practically nothing new in the management of the new Xiaomi bracelet. It is identical to previous models. Swiping sideways will take you to the main settings and control of Bluetooth devices. Sleep and heart rate modes will also be quickly and easily accessible. Swiping up will show you received notifications, and down — you can choose your favorite sport or workout. In addition, a summary of your personal results will be displayed.

Smart Band 9 connects to the phone via Bluetooth. The interaction between the mobile phone and the bracelet is quite functional. I can determine for myself which app notifications I want to receive on the bracelet, and which ones to turn off. The screen conveniently shows notifications about calls, messages, e-mails and application alerts. I can easily find out everything without even taking my phone out of my pocket.

Unfortunately, there is no option to answer calls or reply to messages, as the bracelet does not support such functions. If the call is important, but you cannot answer it, you can use the suggested response templates on the device, for example: "I'll call you later" or "Can't talk now. Call me later?". You can also respond with your own created presets, which can be edited in the Mi Fitness app.

Mi Fitness APP

After a morning workout, a busy day at work, or a good night's sleep, you can access your accumulated results and all your analyses on your phone. Of course, you need to download the Mi Fitness app.

After downloading the APP, I quickly and easily understood its operation. First, it provides detailed insights into daily activities, such as steps taken, heart rate, and sleep quality. By clicking on each icon, I can see specific statistics at the exact time of day. The app quickly synchronizes with the Xiaomi Smart Band 9, ensuring that all data is updated and available in one place.

It is easy to change the screen themes according to your preferences and mood. Mi Fitness offers a very wide selection of them. I think that even the most picky user will choose their favorite style. Moreover, you can create the screen background yourself. You can easily change the style, colors and arrangement of icons. The editing options are extensive, so you can even set your favorite photo as the screen background.

The app has a conveniently separated training section, where you will find various sports plans, see your accumulated training history and load. With the help of the app, I can set my own goals (e.g. steps, distance or active minutes) and monitor progress. All collected data is analyzed and useful insights and suggestions are provided on how to improve health. Mi Fitness offers synchronization with other sports apps, such as Strava, so all data accumulated in the Mi Fitness app will be reflected in the paired program.

Based on my heart rate, the bracelet can monitor my stress level in real time and help me take action to reduce it. All data about my body's stress status will be saved in the Mi Fitness app.

I noticed that the APPs pay quite a lot of attention to sleep quality. The app indicates the average time it takes to fall asleep and wake up, divides it into light and deep sleep, and also provides a short review of how I slept last night. Considering that sometimes, if you do nothing and do not move from your place, the bracelet could think that you are sleeping, the data provided is quite accurate and the Band 9 recognizes when I am sleeping very well. 

And if I want to learn more general information about sleep stages or get useful tips on how to improve my rest, I can also easily find everything in the Mi Fitness app. In addition, by analyzing 7-day sleep statistics, I can find out what my sleep animal is.

Bracelet straps

Xiaomi offers a wide range of straps, so you can choose from a variety of different styles. The straps on this bracelet are fastened using the same push-button principle as the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 series models. I tested three types of straps — the plastic clip that comes with the kit, the magnetic clasp, and the traditional metal fastening. These original straps can be ordered for an additional amount of about 29 Euros.

All bracelets are made of soft and flexible materials, so they fit snugly. In terms of appearance, the magnetic bracelet looks more elegant and modern than others. Such a bracelet can be adjusted to the size of the wrist, but not exactly. However, when the device is worn for a longer period of time, the magnets loosen a little and the strap needs to be adjusted again. There is also a doubt whether the attraction of the magnets will weaken in the future, because as the bracelet loosens more and more, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 can easily be lost.

In terms of security, it is more reliable to choose a metal clasp (like a belt buckle), which locks and securely holds on the wrist even during active activities. It may not look as good as a magnetic strap, as it is a bit bulkier and simpler, but it will perform its function perfectly.

True, the version I tested wrapped around my wrist twice, giving the look a unique look. However, this design didn’t impress me much in terms of style or comfort. It’s worth noting that you won’t be able to adjust this clasp to your wrist as precisely as you can with a magnet — you’ll have to adjust it to the existing holes.

The strap with a clasp has similar properties. The silicone bracelet has a pleasant texture and is easy to clean. It looks quite stylish on the wrist and is easy to put on. The plastic clasp fits tightly into the desired hole depending on the size of the wrist. The probability of unfastening is very small, but it still exists.

In my opinion, if you are looking for style and convenience, it is best to choose a magnetic clasp or a bracelet with a clasp. If security and durability are most important, choose a classic metal clasp option. Well, if you do not want additional costs and style points are not the main aspect, the original bracelet that is already in the package will also work perfectly.

Comparison with Xiaomi Band 8

It's not uncommon for a new generation product to disappoint or offer practically nothing new. So, I had to try out the older Mi Band 8 model to see if there was a difference and if it was worth upgrading to the new Mi Band 9.

These models are almost the same in design: the bracelet mounts are the same, the chargers are the same, the app and controls are exactly the same. However, no matter how similar these models are in appearance, you don't need to be an expert to understand the advantages of the Xiaomi Mi Band 9. Without going into too much detail, I will highlight a few differences.

First of all, the size and build quality of the device are striking. The Mi Band 8 is slightly larger, but compared to the Mi Band 9, it feels like the new model is made of much higher-quality materials - the aluminum body looks more solid and luxurious. Meanwhile, the older Mi Band 8 with its plastic body looks like a lower-end product.

The second immediately noticeable difference is the screen. The screen of the older model does not differ in size, but its colors are slightly dimmer compared to the Mi Band 9. The maximum screen brightness in the new model is almost twice as high as in the 8 series bracelet (1200nits versus 600nits). In this area, the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 is the undisputed champion, so if you use the bracelet in the sun, it is better to choose the new model.

When comparing the controls and the smoothness of the animations, the situation is quite similar in both models. Both the old and new models are easy and convenient to use, and the image is pleasing to the eye and smooth. The functionality in these models does not differ too much. However, the manufacturer claims that the measurement sensors of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 are no less than 16% more accurate than the previous model. When using both devices, it seemed that both bracelets measure steps, sleep and provide sports analysis quite accurately and similarly.

True, when testing both bracelets at the same time and walking the same distance, the step measurement differed. After wearing both bracelets and walking 200 steps, the total number of steps between these bracelets was different and with a slight error. Xiaomi Mi Band 8 counted 183 steps, and the new Mi Band 9 - 203. So, it can be said that the manufacturer did not lie about the more accurate Mi Band 9's better sensors and more accurate results.

What did we like?

After using the Mi Band 9 bracelet for several months, its main pros and cons have become clear. One of the most important advantages of this bracelet is its strong focus on health and physical activity. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers many functions that can be useful in monitoring and improving your well-being and sports achievements.

More than 150 sports modes, stress level and blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate, sleep monitoring, calorie counting, etc. — you can conveniently track all this in your personalized Mi Fitness app.

The bright display ensures comfortable use. Information is easy to read both during the day and in low light conditions. In addition, you can select the automatic screen brightness function, which will detect environmental conditions and select the most suitable brightness level. It is worth noting that the AMOLED screen is sensitive to touch and ensures smooth navigation quality.

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 has an impressive battery life. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by the battery life, as I had to charge the bracelet on average every two weeks. Of course, the duration of operation still depends on the characteristics of use and settings, but officially the device is declared to be able to work up to 21 days.

The Smart Band's battery status can be conveniently monitored in the Mi Fitness app. The bracelet itself will also notify you of a low charge level. Xiaomi Mi Band 9 supports fast charging, so it takes just up to an hour to fully charge the battery.

The device is water resistant. The 5 ATM rating means it can withstand immersion in water up to a depth of 50 meters. The manufacturer does not recommend using the bracelet in the shower or in hot water, but you don't need to worry that the bracelet will break if it falls into water.

I would also like to briefly highlight a few useful and convenient features that came in handy in my daily routine: alarm clock; flashlight; phone finder function (this is probably what I used most often); the ability to control my smartphone's camera using the bracelet.

What we didn't like?

For every sports enthusiast, it is important to track your progress and goals. So, one of the main disadvantages of the bracelet for lovers of a healthy lifestyle is the lack of GPS. The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 does not have built-in GPS, but as an alternative, it offers to link the location settings of your smartphone so that you can track your outdoor activities, such as running or cycling. But this means that you will always be dependent on your phone.

After using the bracelet for a longer period of time, I noticed that sometimes receiving Messenger messages on the bracelet is disrupted. When a message arrives on the phone, the bracelet does not respond, but when I unlock the phone, messages pour out like a cornucopia. This happens infrequently, but it does happen.

What I really can't complain about is receiving weather notifications on the bracelet. You can get them almost 20 times a day. Maybe this feature is relevant and useful for others, but for me, such frequent vibrations on my wrist are distracting and start to interfere, so I had to look for a way to turn off weather notifications.

Many modern people are used to not carrying a wallet with them, but paying with a smart device. Unfortunately, you won't be able to do this with the Xiaomi Smart Band 9, as the bracelet doesn't support the NFC function.

The bracelet is quite accurate in estimating steps and distance covered, but the calorie calculation raises questions. More than once I had to receive notifications about the achieved calorie goal even when not moving intensively, for example, while sitting at the computer or eating. During short breaks, the bracelet offers simple games to distract my thoughts. I tried a few of them myself, but the screen seemed too small and inconvenient for this entertainment.

Verdict

So, after evaluating the main features of the Xiaomi Smart Band 9, I can say that for a low price we get a very high-quality product with wide capabilities. Although the device still has room for improvement, I have no doubt that users of the bracelet will not be disappointed.

The smart bracelet will be perfect for anyone looking for a daily companion at an affordable price. Also, for those who are considering whether it is worth upgrading, I can confidently say that the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is an improved and higher quality bracelet than older models.