If you want all the features of a smartwatch but can’t commit to a big, bulky watch face, you might be interested in a smart band. Xiaomi’s ninth-generation popular fitness band has so many new features that it’s basically on par with any full-fledged smartwatch, just in a smaller, lighter form factor.
The device also requires some manual tuning that other, more premium devices would probably recognize automatically. By default, many of the continuous monitoring features are switched off, and to get the most out of the device, you’ll need to manually turn on the features you want.
The band coordinates with the Mi Fitness app for Android or iOS for the complete experience. The app is straightforward enough to cover the basics but isn’t overly comprehensive. All the previously mentioned tracking metrics are accessible in the app, which is clean and easy to navigate.
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The Smart Band 9 uses the Mi Fitness three-band rainbow design as its core daily tracking system. It shows your calories burned, steps taken, and daily movement. As you do all three of those things, the bands fill, marking your progress. This concept is used by all manner of wearables, but this one features one of the cleaner designs I’ve seen.
In fact, Mi Fitness is one of the more accessible apps for folks who aren’t well-versed in fitness tracking lingo or are new to the game. It does a good job of spacing out the data so as not to bombard you with numbers and metrics. For that reason, this would also make a great tracker for kids or teens.
for the Smart Band 9 is only $12 and clips to your shoe for deeper, more accurate tracking. You just switch the band into running mode to access run cadence, stride length, landing time, landing mode, and more.
When I tested it out during a HIIT workout, the transition from moving around to the little display took some getting used to. Similarly, if you’re mid-run, it’s very difficult to navigate. This is a device you set up before running around.
Source : ZDNet