Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro Review: Best Fitness Band Under $60?

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro has just arrived, and it’s here to show us why Xiaomi’s wearables have become so popular over the years. Known for packing tons of features at a budget-friendly price, Xiaomi’s bands have been favorites among fitness fans. So, how does this new one stand out? We’re about to find out.

This review will walk you through everything you need to know about the Smart Band 9 Pro—from how it looks, feels, and performs, plus how it stacks up against the previous Mi Band 8 Pro. Xiaomi has made some changes here, but are they really worth the upgrade? I’ll give you my honest thoughts after testing it out myself.

But first, here’s the big question: should you get this band if you already own a fitness tracker, or if you’re just looking to make your first wearable purchase? Stick around to the end to get a complete answer, including who this band is best for and if it’s really worth the hype.

Design & Build Quality

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro takes things up a notch compared to its predecessors in design. One of the standout features is its display which boasts a 1.74-inch AMOLED panel, giving you a nice, large viewing area with a resolution of 336×480 pixels and peak brightness reaching an impressive 1,200 nits, this screen is vibrant and readable even under direct sunlight. The screen also has 2.5D curved glass, this curved design blends seamlessly into the metal frame, giving the band a polished look that rivals higher-end wearables.

Xiaomi has swapped the plastic body from the Mi Band 8 Pro for an aluminum alloy frame on the 9 Pro, giving it a sturdy yet lightweight build. This upgrade makes a noticeable difference in terms of both look and feel—the band feels durable but still lightweight at just 24.5 grams, so you can wear it all day without discomfort. The metallic finish also resists scratches better, so it’s likely to hold up well even if you’re wearing it during workouts or outdoor activities.

Another nice touch is the way the band sits on your wrist. The Smart Band 9 Pro has a slight curve to its back, which helps it fit more comfortably and snugly. It’s designed to be worn 24/7, so comfort is definitely a priority here. The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is rated at 5ATM water resistance, meaning it can handle being submerged up to 50 meters. This makes it a solid choice for swimmers or anyone who wants to keep the band on during showers, runs in the rain, or water sports.

Features and Specifications

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro packs a powerful suite of features aimed at health tracking, fitness, and connectivity. It’s designed to be much more than just a step counter—this is a full-fledged fitness companion with capabilities to help you monitor various health metrics and stay connected on the go. Here’s a closer look at what this band has to offer.

Health Tracking Capabilities

• Heart Rate Monitoring: The Smart Band 9 Pro continuously tracks your heart rate, giving you real-time data on how your heart responds to different activities. Whether you’re in a high-intensity workout or simply going about your day, the band provides a steady stream of heart rate insights. You can set alerts if your heart rate goes too high or too low, which can be a helpful safety feature.
• Blood Oxygen (SpO2) Monitoring: For those interested in more advanced health metrics, the band also measures your blood oxygen levels. This is especially useful for activities at high altitudes or tracking sleep quality, as low SpO2 levels can indicate poor oxygen saturation in the blood.
• Sleep Tracking: Xiaomi has improved its sleep tracking capabilities, allowing the band to monitor your sleep cycles in detail. It tracks light, deep, and REM sleep, and even offers insights into how long you spend in each stage. With daily sleep scores, you can understand your sleep quality and see trends over time.
• Stress Monitoring: The stress monitoring feature measures how your body is handling daily pressures, providing a score based on fluctuations in heart rate and other factors. You can use this data to manage stress levels better and even try the guided breathing exercises available on the band to help you relax.

Fitness and Sports Modes

With over 150 sports modes, the Smart Band 9 Pro is tailored for almost any type of physical activity:

• Running, Swimming, and More: From running and cycling to hiking and swimming, the Smart Band 9 Pro covers the most popular workouts. For swimmers, it tracks metrics like laps and strokes and can even withstand pool and open water thanks to its 5ATM water resistance.
• Advanced Outdoor Tracking: For outdoor enthusiasts, the band includes GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS, so you can accurately track your route and distance without needing your phone. This is especially handy for runners and cyclists who want precise tracking on trails or in remote areas.
• Specialized Training Modes: Whether you’re into high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, or rowing, the Smart Band 9 Pro provides specific modes for a variety of sports, making it easier to get accurate data tailored to your activity.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Smart Band 9 Pro is its impressive battery life. Equipped with a 350mAh battery, Xiaomi claims it can last up to 21 days on a single charge with typical usage. Even with heavy use, which includes regular GPS tracking and frequent health monitoring, you can expect it to last around 10-12 days. This battery longevity is a big plus, especially for users who don’t want to worry about charging every few days.

Other Notable Features

• NFC for Contactless Payments: The band comes with NFC support, allowing you to make contactless payments at compatible terminals. This feature can be especially convenient if you prefer to go wallet-free on a quick outing.
• Bluetooth 5.4 for Seamless Connectivity: With Bluetooth 5.4, the Smart Band 9 Pro syncs quickly and reliably with your smartphone, whether you’re using an Android (8.0 or newer) or an iOS (12.0 or newer) device. This ensures notifications, music controls, and app updates are delivered promptly without lag.
• App Integration with Mi Fitness: The Smart Band 9 Pro pairs with Xiaomi’s Mi Fitness app, where you can access all your data in one place. The app provides a clean, organized view of your health metrics, workout history, and daily goals, making it easy to keep track of your progress. The app also offers custom settings for notifications, reminders, and personalized workout recommendations.

User Experience and Interface

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro doesn’t just pack impressive hardware—it’s also designed with a smooth, user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate through its many features. From customizable watch faces to quick-access gestures, Xiaomi has fine-tuned the experience to feel intuitive and responsive.

Home Screen & Customization

• Watch Faces: The Smart Band 9 Pro offers a range of watch face designs. You can pick from minimalistic designs for a cleaner look or go for something more dynamic, like animated faces that bring a bit of personality to your wrist. There’s even a cute animated character that appears during workouts or idle times, adding a playful touch.
• Widgets and Shortcuts: Customization is easy with this band. You can rearrange widgets, set quick-access shortcuts, and choose which data you want displayed at a glance. For example, you might want your step count and calories burned front and center or keep your sleep data and stress levels only a swipe away.

Navigation and Gestures

• Gesture-Based Navigation: Navigation is simple. Swipe up for accessing apps, swipe down for notifications, swipe right for shortcuts like DND mode or brightness settings, and swipe left for quick access to health metrics. This streamlined gesture system makes moving around the interface easy, even when you’re on the move.
• Improved Tactile Feedback: Thanks to the linear motor, the haptic feedback on this band is more precise and feels satisfying. Every time you navigate through the menus, tap on an icon, or get a notification, you feel a subtle, precise vibration. The feedback even works well with wet hands, allowing for smooth operation even if you’re sweating or wearing the band while swimming.

Health & Fitness Overview

• Health Summary Dashboard: A quick swipe up brings you to a dashboard that displays your key health metrics, like heart rate, SpO2, and sleep data, all in one place.
• Detailed App Integration: For those who want to dig deeper, all data can be synced to the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone. The app provides a more comprehensive look at your stats, allowing you to track progress over days, weeks, or even months, and get personalized insights based on your habits and health trends.

Notifications and Smart Features

• Message and Call Notifications: The Smart Band 9 Pro supports notifications for calls, texts, and app alerts, so you’re always in the loop. You can read messages on the band, dismiss calls, and even see previews of app notifications like email and social media updates. Although you can’t respond directly from the band, the notification previews keep you updated without having to check your phone constantly.
• Remote Control Features: The band also acts as a remote control for certain phone functions. You can control your music playback with options to play, pause, or skip tracks right from the band—a handy feature when you’re on a workout. There’s even a remote camera control, allowing you to snap photos from your connected smartphone by simply tapping the band.
• SOS and Flashlight: For added utility, Xiaomi has included an SOS mode and flashlight function. The SOS mode can send an emergency alert to a pre-set contact, while the flashlight feature turns your screen into a bright light source—helpful in low-light situations or as a quick guide when looking for something in the dark.

User Customization and Settings

• Adjustable Screen Time and Brightness: In the settings, you can control the screen timeout, with options to keep it on for up to 5 minutes if needed, which is great when using it as a reference during workouts. Brightness settings are also easily adjustable, allowing you to reduce brightness indoors or max it out for clear visibility in sunlight.
• Vibration Patterns and Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode: You can customize vibration patterns for different types of notifications, helping you distinguish between, say, a call and a message without looking. The DND mode lets you mute all notifications when you want uninterrupted focus, making it ideal for work hours or sleeping.

Comparison with Mi Band 8 Pro

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro builds upon the Mi Band 8 Pro, making some significant upgrades in design, features, and overall performance. For those debating whether to upgrade or curious about how the 9 Pro stacks up against its predecessor, here’s a side-by-side look at the key differences.

Display and Design Improvements

• Larger, Brighter Display: The Mi Band 9 Pro comes with a larger 1.74-inch AMOLED screen, compared to the Mi Band 8 Pro’s 1.64-inch display. This extra screen space makes it easier to view notifications, track stats, and navigate the interface. Additionally, with a brightness boost up to 1,200 nits, the 9 Pro’s display is much more readable outdoors and in bright lighting conditions.
• Refined Frame Material: One of the most noticeable upgrades is the switch from plastic to an aluminum alloy frame on the 9 Pro, which gives it a more premium feel and increased durability. The metal frame not only adds a touch of elegance but also makes the device feel sturdier and more refined. The 8 Pro’s plastic frame, while functional, lacks the same level of sophistication.
• Curved Glass: The 9 Pro features 2.5D curved glass that seamlessly blends into the frame, enhancing both the aesthetic and the tactile experience when using swipe gestures. The Mi Band 8 Pro, by comparison, has a flatter display that doesn’t feel quite as smooth or visually appealing.

Weight and Comfort

• Slightly Heavier Build: Due to the aluminum frame, the Smart Band 9 Pro is slightly heavier than the Mi Band 8 Pro. However, at just 24.5 grams, it’s still comfortable to wear for extended periods, whether during workouts or while sleeping. The added weight is minimal, but it does contribute to a more premium feel.
• Better Wrist Fit: The 9 Pro has a curved back design that helps it sit snugly on your wrist, enhancing comfort and making it feel more secure. Both bands are comfortable to wear, but the 9 Pro’s design offers a slightly more ergonomic fit that’s noticeable during long-term use.

Battery and Performance

• Enhanced Battery Life: The Smart Band 9 Pro has a 350mAh battery, which is larger than the 289mAh battery in the 8 Pro. This increase translates to a longer battery life, with up to 21 days on a single charge for the 9 Pro in typical usage, compared to around 15-16 days for the 8 Pro. Even under heavy use, the 9 Pro still manages about 10-12 days, making it more reliable for users who don’t want to charge frequently.
• Improved Haptic Feedback: The 9 Pro incorporates a linear motor for more precise, satisfying haptic feedback. This motor makes vibrations feel more distinct, especially when navigating the interface or receiving notifications. The Mi Band 8 Pro’s feedback, while decent, doesn’t offer the same level of refinement.

• Faster Charging and Cable Compatibility: The magnetic charging cable for the 9 Pro is compatible with the Mi Band 8 Pro, making it easier for those upgrading to use their existing accessories. With the improved battery capacity, the 9 Pro lasts longer and charges relatively fast, allowing users to spend less time charging and more time using the device.

Enhanced Features and Tracking

• More Robust GPS and Outdoor Tracking: The Smart Band 9 Pro takes GPS capabilities up a notch with support for multiple satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS. This allows for more accurate tracking during outdoor activities and improves navigation accuracy, which is a clear advantage over the 8 Pro, especially for runners and hikers who rely on precise route data.
• Enhanced Water Resistance and Anti-Wet Touch Sensitivity: The 9 Pro’s display is designed to prevent accidental touches when wet, which is ideal for swimmers or those who sweat heavily during workouts. Both the 8 Pro and 9 Pro offer 5ATM water resistance, so they can handle swimming and other water-based activities, but the 9 Pro’s touch sensitivity enhancement gives it an edge.

Additional Smart Features

• NFC and Enhanced Connectivity: Like the 8 Pro, the 9 Pro also supports NFC, but it includes updated Bluetooth 5.4, which enhances connectivity with smartphones, making syncing faster and more reliable.
• Better Customization Options: While both models offer customization, the 9 Pro provides more options for watch faces and widgets, making it easier to tailor the interface to your preferences. The upgraded display and interface also make the customization experience feel more immersive.

Pros and Cons

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro packs an impressive range of features for its price, but like any device, it has its strengths and limitations. Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons to help you decide if this fitness tracker fits your needs.

Pros

• Premium Build and Design: The Smart Band 9 Pro’s aluminum alloy frame, curved glass, and sleek design make it stand out compared to other fitness trackers in its price range. It feels durable and looks much more premium than previous Smart Band models.
• Large, High-Brightness AMOLED Display: With a 1.74-inch AMOLED screen and peak brightness of 1,200 nits.
• Long Battery Life: The 350mAh battery delivers up to 21 days on a single charge with regular use. Even with intensive use, it still offers about 10-12 days of battery life.
• Extensive Health Tracking Features: With heart rate, SpO2, sleep, and stress tracking, plus over 150 sports modes, the Smart Band 9 Pro offers comprehensive health monitoring that rivals more expensive trackers.
• Accurate GPS and Multi-Satellite Support: The inclusion of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS support enables precise tracking for outdoor activities.
• NFC and Bluetooth 5.4: The NFC feature is a convenient addition for contactless payments, and Bluetooth 5.4 ensures strong, reliable connectivity with smartphones, allowing for smooth syncing of notifications and fitness data.
• Customizable Interface and Quick-Access Features: The band offers a range of watch faces, customizable widgets, and shortcuts.

Cons

• Limited Response Options for Notifications: While you can view notifications, you can’t respond directly from the band.
• Slightly Heavier Than Previous Models: The aluminum alloy frame adds a bit of weight compared to the plastic design of the Band 8 Pro. Although it’s still lightweight overall, the added weight might be noticeable to those accustomed to ultra-light fitness bands.
• No Built-In Speaker or Microphone: The band lacks a speaker and mic, which means you can’t take calls directly from it or use voice commands—a feature becoming common in higher-end wearables.
• Basic App Ecosystem: While the Mi Fitness app provides solid functionality, it lacks some of the advanced app ecosystem features found in higher-end fitness platforms like Garmin or Apple Health.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is positioned as a value-for-money wearable, offering advanced features and a premium build at an accessible price. It’s priced starting at approximately CNY 399 (around $56 USD), making it an affordable option for those looking for a high-quality fitness tracker without breaking the bank.
Xiaomi also offers different strap options. The standard silicone band comes included with the purchase, but for those wanting something a bit more stylish or durable, Xiaomi has additional options:
– Magnetic Quick Release Strap: Available for CNY 169 (around $23 USD).
– Leather Quick Release Strap: For a more sophisticated look, the leather strap is priced at CNY 99 (around $13 USD).

As of now, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is available in China, but Xiaomi has a strong track record of making its wearable devices available internationally. The band is expected to reach more regions, including Europe and parts of Asia, in the coming months. Xiaomi typically releases global versions of its wearables shortly after the initial launch, so you likely won’t have to wait long. It’s also likely to be available through popular e-commerce sites like AliExpress, Amazon, and other global marketplaces that carry Xiaomi products. These platforms often offer deals and discounts, so keeping an eye out can save you a few extra dollars.

Final Verdict

For under $60, the Smart Band 9 Pro offers a lot more than what you’d expect at this price point. With a refined design, a larger and brighter display, and a suite of advanced health and fitness tracking features, it successfully balances style, functionality, and affordability. Xiaomi has taken steps to enhance the user experience with upgrades like the aluminum alloy frame, 2.5D curved glass, built-in GPS, and a high-resolution AMOLED display that feels premium and works well in all lighting conditions. The additional strap options and NFC capability make it a versatile wearable that works well in both casual and formal settings.

So, is It Worth Upgrading from the Band 8 Pro to the 9 Pro? Yes, if you’re looking for a larger, brighter screen, a more premium build with an aluminum frame, and enhanced features like multi-satellite GPS support and improved haptic feedback. And maybe not, if you’re satisfied with the current functionality of the 8 Pro and don’t necessarily need the design and screen upgrades. The 8 Pro remains a capable device, and the improvements in the 9 Pro are more about refinement than adding entirely new features.