I have used my fair share of smartwatches and fitness trackers over the years, constantly swapping them out and trying new ones almost monthly. However, after testing the latest Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro, I may have found my new all-time favourite. Boasting impressive battery life, premium materials, and a shockingly user-friendly interface, Xiaomi has outdone itself with this smartwatch. For fitness enthusiasts or anyone who enjoys the many features a smartwatch can offer, Xiaomi has delivered one of the best experiences I have had in years, creating something well worth exploring.
Packaged in a simple box, the Smart Band 9 Pro includes the watch itself, a charging cable, and a plastic band designed for an active lifestyle. The watch feels well-crafted, featuring an aluminum alloy frame that replaces the plastic construction of previous models—and it looks stunning. The watch is available in three colours: rose gold, moonlight silver, and obsidian black. Each option provides a sharp, modern look that elevates the device beyond what is typically seen in many fitness bands.
The premium materials give the watch a solid build designed to withstand daily wear with ease, while the brushed metal finish provides a sophisticated and modern aesthetic that rivals even the Apple Watch in terms of tactile feel. At only around 24.5 grams, the Smart Band 9 Pro feels durable without ever feeling heavy on the wrist.
The attention to detail extends to the watch’s front display, which features a striking 2.5D curved glass screen—a significant departure from the flat display of the Band 8 Pro and many other watches in the Xiaomi range. This curved-edge design not only enhances the watch’s appearance but also improves the user experience by making edge swipes feel more natural and comfortable. Even before powering on the Smart Band 9 Pro, it stands out as a stunning timepiece with a modern, sleek design, especially due to the absence of tactile buttons.
“While the display size remains the same as its predecessor, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro brings notable improvements that elevate the user experience.”
This premium look carries over into the overall experience, with the 1.74-inch OLED display appearing incredibly bright and vibrant—an impressive achievement considering the Smart Band 9 Pro’s affordability. While the display size remains the same as its predecessor, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro brings notable improvements that elevate the user experience. With a resolution of 336×480 pixels, the screen delivers crisp visuals, but its brightness capabilities truly stand out. The display now boasts a peak brightness of 1,200 nits—double that of the previous generation—ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight, making it easy to use indoors or outdoors without issue.
For anyone familiar with previous Xiaomi Smart Bands, this new watch brings a fresh look and an improved overall feel to the display, enhancing the user experience compared to past offerings. The screen-to-body ratio has been optimized to 77 per cent, achieved by reducing bezels that are now uniform on all sides. This design choice not only improves the aesthetic appeal but also makes the device appear more compact, despite maintaining the same screen size. The result is a Smart Band 9 Pro with a premium look that feels far more expensive than it is.
While the Smart Band 9 Pro’s design is impressive, its battery life is what truly sets it apart—especially for users who dislike the hassle of charging their watch every night. The watch is equipped with a larger 350mAh battery, an 18 per cent increase from its predecessor, which is significant for a device of its size. This upgrade extends typical usage to an impressive 21 days, with up to 10 days of operation even when the Always-On Display is activated. In testing, I achieved 15 days of moderate to heavy use, though this decreased with more intense usage or prolonged display activation. Even so, the Smart Band 9 Pro outlasts most mainstream smartwatches on the market.
Despite its modern and sophisticated design, the watch stays true to its fitness-focused roots, offering well-rounded health monitoring capabilities suitable for various lifestyles. The heart rate sensor has been upgraded for improved accuracy, with Xiaomi claiming a 15 per cent improvement in measurement precision. The device features over 150 sports modes, including professional swimming tracking with 5 ATM water resistance. Sleep tracking has also been enhanced, now offering sleep pattern analysis that assigns users different “sleep animals” based on their weekly sleep behaviours.
Beyond its visual appeal, Xiaomi has equipped the Smart Band 9 Pro with a range of quality-of-life improvements aimed at enhancing daily usage. The new linear vibration motor delivers crisper haptic feedback, making notifications more distinct and less jarring. The Smart Band 9 Pro also supports wet-hand touch control—a practical addition for swimmers and those who exercise intensively—making it ideal for a wide range of activities.
Using the Smart Band 9 Pro feels intuitive, with its gesture-based interface feeling natural and easy to navigate. The operating system, HyperOS 2.0, offers expanded functionality with additional apps and games. However, iOS users should note that some features are restricted to Android devices. If you’ve used Xiaomi smartwatches before, you’ll feel right at home. The system is fast, fluid, and intuitive, making most tasks straightforward, with settings and features clearly laid out—even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
“While the Smart Band 9 Pro’s design is impressive, its battery life is what truly sets it apart…”
As with most smartwatches, Xiaomi offers a range of accessories for the Band 9 Pro, including traditional silicone bands, magnetic straps, and premium leather options, with the silicone band included in the box. While the silicone strap is ideal for sports and active use, the new magnetic straps are particularly exciting, elevating the watch’s overall aesthetic. The innovative magnetic strap system allows for quick attachment and detachment while adding traditional watch lugs that accommodate standard watch bands for further customization.
Priced at €80 (approximately $85 USD), the Smart Band 9 Pro is a compelling option that undercuts many mainstream fitness trackers on the market. However, the real standout is that, despite its lower price, the watch feels more premium than almost any other sub-$100 offering. The combination of its premium build quality, extended battery life, and comprehensive fitness features makes it an appealing choice for both casual users and fitness enthusiasts—and let’s face it, it looks stunning for the cost.
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is a fantastic smartwatch and a testament to the overall quality of Xiaomi’s wearable lineup. I own plenty of watches—some might say too many—but I’ve chosen to wear the Smart Band 9 Pro daily since I received it for review, even after my testing period was complete. The improved build quality, enhanced display, and refined user experience make this watch a joy to use—and even more enjoyable to show off.
Despite some features being exclusive to Android users due to iOS limitations, the device’s core functionality and impressive battery life make it a worthy consideration for anyone in the market for a capable fitness tracker. The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is, without a doubt, one of the best fitness trackers—and smartwatches—I’ve ever used.