Final Comparision: Xiaomi Smart Band 9, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro, and Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active
Diving into the world of fitness trackers, Xiaomi offers a trio of compelling options with the Smart Band 9 series. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a budget-conscious consumer, or someone simply aiming to monitor their health basics, there’s a Smart Band tailored to your needs.
The Smart Band 9 strikes a perfect balance with its vibrant AMOLED display and comprehensive health tracking at an affordable price. Step up to the Smart Band 9 Pro for those looking for premium features like built-in GPS and a larger screen. Meanwhile, the Smart Band 9 Active caters to beginners or those looking to keep costs low without sacrificing essential tracking capabilities. Each model brings something unique to the table, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every user’s lifestyle and budget.
Dive deeper into the fitness tracking world with the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 series: the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 for balanced features and price, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro for GPS and premium design, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active for budget basics. Read our full comparison to decide which one fits your lifestyle!
Display
- Smart Band 9:
- Size: 1.62-inch AMOLED
- Resolution: 192 x 490 pixels
- Brightness: Up to 1200 nits
- Smart Band 9 Pro:
- Size: 1.74-inch AMOLED
- Resolution: 336 x 480 pixels
- Brightness: Up to 1200 nits
- Smart Band 9 Active:
- Size: 1.47-inch TFT LCD
- Resolution: 172 x 360 pixels
- Brightness: Lower compared to AMOLED, specifics not detailed
Design
- Smart Band 9: Plastic frame, classic oval shape, lightweight.
- Smart Band 9 Pro: Aluminum frame, rectangular design, premium look.
- Smart Band 9 Active: Plastic frame, flat rectangular design, aimed at simplicity and affordability.
Battery Life
- Smart Band 9: Up to 21 days without AOD, 9 days with AOD.
- Smart Band 9 Pro: Up to 21 days.
- Smart Band 9 Active: Up to 18 days.
GPS
- Smart Band 9: Connected GPS only (requires phone).
- Smart Band 9 Pro: Built-in GPS for independent tracking.
- Smart Band 9 Active: No built-in GPS, relies on phone for location.
Health and Fitness Features
- All Models: Heart rate, blood oxygen (SpO2), sleep monitoring, step count.
- Smart Band 9 & 9 Pro: Over 150 sport modes with detailed tracking.
- Smart Band 9 Active: 50 sport modes, less focus on advanced metrics.
Additional Features
- Smart Band 9 & 9 Pro: Both support HyperOS, AMOLED displays, and offer more watch faces.
- Smart Band 9 Pro: Standalone GPS, compass, potentially more health metrics like stress monitoring.
- Smart Band 9 Active: Simpler interface, fewer sport modes, no AMOLED display.
Water Resistance
- All Models: 5ATM, up to 50 meters water resistance.
Compatibility
- All Models: Android 8.0+ and iOS 12.0+ with the Mi Fitness app.
Price
- Smart Band 9: Around $40 (can vary by market).
- Smart Band 9 Pro: Approximately $60-$75, depending on the region and straps.
- Smart Band 9 Active: Cheapest at around $25-$30.
Pros and Cons
- Smart Band 9:
- Pros: Good balance of features and price, long battery life, AMOLED screen.
- Cons: No standalone GPS, no NFC for payments.
- Smart Band 9 Pro:
- Pros: Premium design, larger AMOLED screen, standalone GPS, more detailed health tracking.
- Cons: More expensive, bulkier than the standard model.
- Smart Band 9 Active:
- Pros: Budget-friendly, still offers essential health tracking, lightweight.
- Cons: Lower quality TFT screen, fewer sports modes, no GPS.
Conclusion
- Smart Band 9 is ideal for users seeking a blend of features without breaking the bank, offering a solid AMOLED experience with basic fitness tracking.
- Smart Band 9 Pro caters to those who want advanced tracking capabilities, a larger screen, and a premium feel, willing to pay more for these enhancements.
- Smart Band 9 Active is perfect for beginners or those on a strict budget, providing core fitness tracking features in a more affordable, less feature-rich package.
Detailed comparison table
Here’s a detailed comparison table including compatibility with other brands and operating systems for the Xiaomi Smart Band 9, Smart Band 9 Pro, and Smart Band 9 Active:
| Feature | Xiaomi Smart Band 9 | Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro | Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | – Size: 1.62-inch AMOLED – Resolution: 192 x 490 pixels – Brightness: 1200 nits | – Size: 1.74-inch AMOLED – Resolution: 336 x 480 pixels – Brightness: 1200 nits | – Size: 1.47-inch TFT LCD – Resolution: 172 x 360 pixels – Brightness: Lower than AMOLED |
| Design | – Form: Oval – Material: Plastic – Straps: Interchangeable, quick-release system | – Form: Rectangular, smartwatch-like – Material: Aluminum frame – Straps: Interchangeable | – Form: Flat rectangle – Material: Plastic – Straps: Interchangeable, simple design |
| Battery Life | – Duration: Up to 21 days without AOD, 9 days with AOD | – Duration: Up to 21 days | – Duration: Up to 18 days |
| GPS | – Type: Connected GPS (requires phone) | – Type: Built-in GPS | – Type: No built-in GPS, uses phone’s GPS |
| Health/Fitness Features | – Heart Rate, SpO2, Sleep Tracking: Yes – Sport Modes: Over 150 | – Heart Rate, SpO2, Sleep Tracking: Yes – Sport Modes: Over 150, advanced metrics | – Heart Rate, SpO2, Sleep Tracking: Yes – Sport Modes: 50 |
| Additional Features | – OS: HyperOS – Watch Faces: Customizable – No NFC, No Speaker/Mic | – OS: HyperOS – Watch Faces: More choices – No NFC, No Speaker/Mic, Compass | – OS: HyperOS (simplified) – Watch Faces: Limited – No NFC, No Speaker/Mic |
| Water Resistance | – Rating: 5ATM (50 meters) | – Rating: 5ATM (50 meters) | – Rating: 5ATM (50 meters) |
| Compatibility with Other Brands/SO | – Android: 8.0+ – iOS: 12.0+ – App: Mi Fitness (no direct integration with Google Fit or Apple Health) – Notifications: Basic for all brands – Music Control: Limited | – Android: 8.0+ – iOS: 12.0+ – App: Mi Fitness (same limitations) – Notifications: Basic for all brands – Music Control: Enhanced | – Android: 8.0+ – iOS: 12.0+ – App: Mi Fitness (same limitations) – Notifications: Basic for all brands – Music Control: Limited |
| Price (Approximate) | – $40 | – $60-$75 | – $25-$30 |
| Pros | – Long battery life – AMOLED display – Good value for money | – Larger, premium AMOLED screen – Standalone GPS – Advanced health metrics | – Extremely budget-friendly – Basic fitness tracking – Lightweight |
| Cons | – No standalone GPS – No NFC for payments | – Higher cost – Slightly bulkier design | – TFT LCD screen – Fewer sports modes – No standalone GPS |
Notes on Compatibility:
- All models are primarily designed to work with the Mi Fitness app, which means there’s no native support for syncing directly with Google Fit or Apple Health. Users can manually export data to these platforms, but it’s not seamless.
- Notifications from apps, SMS, and calls work across brands, but advanced features like music control might be more limited or differ in functionality when not using a Xiaomi or Redmi device.
- The absence of NFC across all models means no support for mobile payment systems like Google Pay or Apple Pay regardless of the phone brand or OS.
Brief review of each one
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Review:
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 strikes an excellent balance between affordability, functionality, and design. It features a vibrant 1.62-inch AMOLED display, which is perfect for everyday use, offering clear visibility of notifications and fitness data. With up to 21 days of battery life without the always-on display, it’s ideal for those who detest frequent charging. It covers all the basic fitness metrics like heart rate, sleep tracking, and step count, but lacks built-in GPS, relying on your phone for precise location tracking during activities. If you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly fitness tracker with a good screen, the Smart Band 9 is a top pick.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro Review:
The Smart Band 9 Pro elevates the user experience with its larger 1.74-inch AMOLED screen and a more premium, smartwatch-like design. The inclusion of built-in GPS is a significant advantage for those involved in outdoor sports, eliminating the need to carry a phone. It maintains the impressive battery life of its sibling, offering up to 21 days of use. The Pro model adds more health tracking options, potentially including stress monitoring, making it suitable for those interested in deeper health insights. However, it comes at a higher price, which might be a consideration for some. If you’re willing to invest in a more comprehensive fitness tracking experience with a touch of luxury, the Smart Band 9 Pro is the choice.
Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active Review:
The Smart Band 9 Active is the entry-level version, designed for those who want the essentials without the frills. It uses a TFT LCD screen instead of AMOLED, which is less vibrant but keeps costs down. With up to 18 days of battery life, it’s still quite impressive for its price range. It includes basic fitness tracking like heart rate, sleep, and step count but with only 50 sport modes, it’s less equipped for variety compared to its siblings. There’s no standalone GPS, which might be a drawback for active users. However, for budget-conscious individuals or those new to fitness tracking, the Smart Band 9 Active provides a solid introduction at a very reasonable price.
In summary:
- Smart Band 9 for those seeking a balanced, cost-effective fitness tracker with a nice display.
- Smart Band 9 Pro for users looking for premium features, including GPS, at a slightly higher price.
- Smart Band 9 Active for beginners or those on a tight budget needing basic tracking.
Wich one to Choose
Choose Xiaomi Smart Band 9 if:
- Budget is Your Primary Concern: It offers a good mix of features for a competitive price, making it an excellent choice for those looking to save money without sacrificing too much on functionality.
- You Need Good Battery Life: With up to 21 days of battery life, it’s perfect for users who prefer not to charge their devices frequently.
- Essential Fitness Tracking: If you’re interested in basic but comprehensive health stats like heart rate, sleep, and step tracking, this band does it well.
- You Want an AMOLED Display: The display quality is high, providing clear visuals for notifications and fitness data.
Choose Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro if:
- You Engage in Outdoor Activities: The built-in GPS allows for independent tracking of your routes, which is invaluable for runners, cyclists, or anyone who exercises outdoors without their phone.
- You Value Premium Design: With its aluminum frame and larger screen, it offers a more upscale look and feel.
- Advanced Health Monitoring: It might offer additional metrics like stress monitoring, appealing to those who want a deeper dive into their health.
- You’re Willing to Spend More for Features: If the additional features like GPS and a bigger, brighter screen justify the extra cost for you.
Choose Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active if:
- You’re on a Very Tight Budget: This is the most affordable option, providing basic fitness tracking at a fraction of the cost of the other models.
- You’re New to Fitness Tracking: It’s perfect for beginners or those who just want to start monitoring their basic health metrics without investing heavily.
- You Prefer Simple, Lightweight Design: Its design is straightforward, making it comfortable for all-day wear, especially for those who find larger or heavier devices cumbersome.
- Battery Life is Still Important: While not as long as the 9 or 9 Pro, 18 days is still commendable for this price point.
In essence, your choice among these bands should be guided by:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
- Features: Do you need advanced features like standalone GPS or are basic tracking options enough?
- Design: Do you prefer a premium look or are you fine with a simple, functional design?
- Battery Life: How often do you want to charge the device?
Each model caters to different segments of users based on these priorities.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 series caters to all fitness levels with the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offering a cost-effective AMOLED experience, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro adding premium features like GPS, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active providing budget-friendly basic tracking.
