I wanted to look at the popular Xiaomi Volume 9 for Gamestar Tech for a long time, so I asked the manufacturer for a test device, admittedly without big expectations in advance. What can a fitness tracker do for the price?
The surprising answer once again shows me why I like to do this job as a tech editor so much:How much I underestimated the bracelet and enjoyed it.
But despite the unexpected euphoria, I can't recommend the Xiaomi Volume 9 to everyone. You will find out why now.
Tranparenzhinweis: Xiaomi made the volume 9 available to me free of charge for the test. The manufacturer had no influence on the article content and did not get any access to the test. There was no obligation to report. The test device goes back to the manufacturer.
Xiaomi Volume 9 in under five minutes
Xiaomi Volume 9: Not perfect, but it doesn't have to
Let's get to the bare numbers right away. If you are looking for a cheap pedometer for your wrist, you will not be disappointed by Xiaomi Volume 9.
The tracker does not reach a point landing, but the very low difference digests very easily in view of the price, as the following values show.
| Actual steps | Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Xiaomi Band 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.000 | 1.003 | 1.021 |
Compared to an Apple Watch and over 10,000 stepsshows the bracelet at the end of the day only a slight deviation that conveys a good feeling.
100 steps difference (too much) do not screw up the fun of tracking the steps, especially clearlyhow it is much worse.
If you want to record the route and GPS data, you have to have the smartphone in your pocket. Automatic training recognition is also missing.
- After all, the volume shows relatively good data for average and maximum heart rate when measuring heart rate in two out of four cases.
- In the other 50 percent of the cases, the Xiaomi band has larger deviations compared to a chest strap, as the following data show.
- In the case of resting, the difference is about one or two strokes (rarely more).
Heart rate measurement
Measurement 1
| Heart rate on average | Max. Heart rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Band 9 | 158 | 186 |
| Polar H10 | 159 | 188 |
Measurement 2
| Heart rate on average | Max. Heart rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Band 9 | 150 | 177 |
| Polar H10 | 144 | 178 |
Screenshots
The smartband is enough to record the training data if you can get the lack of integration of music services.
If you value an exact heart rate measurement, you should rather look around the competition.
Why a chest strap as a reference? A chest strap for measuring the heart rate is considered a gold standard and offers decisive advantages over other methods such as optical pulse measurement on the wrist.
Breast belts measure the electrical signals of the heart directly, which potentially leads to much more precise heart rate measurements. External factors such as skin color, hair growth or fit of the device also influence the measurement with a chest strap less.
Schlaftracking
A strenuous day usually ends in bed and finally in sleep. There is also positive news here: compared to an Apple Watch, theAs well as the WHOOP 4.0 bracelet, the Xiaomi Volume 9 shines at the duration of sleep.
Schlaftracking
Measurement 1
| Wearable | In total | Awake | Light | Deep | Rem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 9 | 06:05 | 00:00 | 02:26 | 02:15 | 01:24 |
| Watch Ultra 2 | 06:03 | 00:13 | 03:49 | 00:48 | 01:31 |
| Whoop 4.0 | 05:50 | 00:12 | 03:46 | 00:55 | 01:09 |
| Helio Ring | 06:01 | 00:00 | 03:39 | 01:07 | 01:15 |
Measurement 2
| Wearable | In total | Awake | Light | Deep | Rem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 9 | 07:03 | 00:14 | 02:57 | 02:11 | 01:54 |
| Watch Ultra 2 | 07:05 | 00:12 | 04:30 | 00:32 | 01:58 |
| Whoop 4.0 | 06:48 | 00:28 | 03:46 | 01:17 | 01:45 |
| Helio Ring | 06:54 | 00:00 | 04:36 | 00:48 | 01:10 |
At the same time, it shows the greatest deviations in light and deep sleep in comparison.
Sure, none of the four devices reaches the accuracy of a sleep laboratory.
However, the trend after four nights shows that the Xiaomi Tracker is the only of the four devices to deviate more. In this case, I trust the majority, especially the Apple Watch and the Helio Ring, which do a very good job during sleep tracking.
How does the Xiaomi Volume 9 wear?
Sport and sleep well and well, but how does the bracelet nestle the skin at all? In short: excellent. The tape not only carries itself inconspicuously on the wrist, but also very comfortable - regardless of whether when sleeping, walking or running.
On top of that, it makes a high -quality impression and is by no means cheap how one could suspect in the face of the price.
The silicone bracelet closes very tight and the housing looks stable.
The bracelet feels good on the wrist and no longer notices after a few days.
The 1.62 -inch display reacts to entries immediately. Nothing jerks or is long in coming. Thanks to the bright display with 1,200 nits, training metrics, such as the step, in any kind of lighting conditions, even in direct sun, can be seen.
The nice thing about it: It doesn't matter whether you call an iPhone or an Android phone. The tape is compatible with both operating systems.
The battery life is exemplary
Xiaomi made the volume 9 available to me for a little more than three weeks. During this time I was able to unload the battery, but only with difficulty.
That means: The 21 days specified by the manufacturer are quite realistic if you do less sport and the bracelet sporadically wears to sleep on the wrist.
I recorded six activities in the test period and carried the bracelet ten nights to sleep. The function for switching on the display when lifting the arm was deactivated, as was the Always-on display.
I have achieved a battery life of almost 17 1/2 days.
For whom the Xiaomi Volume 9 is not suitable
In addition to sporadic beats in heart rate measurement and the lack of GPS, further restrictions on the bracelet are to be mentioned:
- There is no large selection of apps like Wear OS or Watchos.
- Looking for a fitness tracker with which you can also shop on the way? None. So Xiaomi does not install a NFC chip.
- Messengers such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Co. receive the bracelet from the smartphone, but the services are limited due to the system.
- In addition, the bracelet does not offer any way to answer incoming messages.
The dials can be adjusted minimally. After all, there is a large selection.
The Xiaomi Volume 9 is a fitness tracker who does without such frills. After all, the system offers a sufficient selection of dials that can be easily adjusted.
Software updates
The exact duration of the software updates for the Xiaomi Volume 9 is dependent on various factors and is not officially guaranteed by Xiaomi for a fixed period.
At least 2 years: Based on previous experience with Xiaomi-Wearables, I think it is realistic to expect software updates at least two years. In addition, Xiaomi probably supplies the bracelet for another years with security updates.
Compulsory account and data protection
The establishment of the Xiaomi Volume 9 was easy. In conjunction with the Mi fitness app, the bracelet was recognized in no time at all and the furnishings were felt automatically.
However, an account with Xiaomi is required. No account, no facility. To be fair: there are similar procedures for the competition.
For data protection: When setting up an account, basic account information such as telephone number, email address and password is saved. Additional account information such as profile picture, nickname, gender, location, model, IMEI and IP address are also queried.
The manufacturer himself states that the personal data is used under certain circumstances, including in the event of national security and defense, public security, public health and important public interests, criminal investigations and more.
Under certain circumstances, the data can also leave the continent, according to the data protection declaration of the app:
»Xiaomi processes and ensures personal data about global operating and control facilities. Xiaomi currently has data centers in India, the Netherlands, Russia and Singapore. For the purposes described in this data protection declaration, your data can be transferred to these data centers in accordance with the applicable law. We can also pass on your personal data to third -party providers and business partners, and your data can therefore also be transmitted to other countries or regions. … However, this does not change our obligation to comply with this data protection declaration and to protect your personal data «
Worth knowing about the test
Specifications
| specification | Xiaomi Band 9 |
|---|---|
| Display | 1,62 Zoll AMOLED, 192 x 490 Pixel |
| brightness | Up to 1200 nits |
| Mass | 46,53 x 21,63 x 10,95mm |
| Sensors | Acceleration sensor, gyroscopic sensor, optical heart rate sensor, Spo2 sensor |
| Waterproof | 5 ATM |
| Battery | 233 mAh |
| Battery life | Up to 21 days |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| compatibility | Android 8.0 or higher, iOS 12.0 or higher |
| Special functions | Over 150 sports modes, sleep tracking, spo2 measurement, notifications |
So I tested
I wore the Xiaomi Volume 9 for almost three weeks while sleeping, running and walking on my wrist. I used a chest strap (heart rate measurement) and an Apple Watch Ultra 2 for comparison while running. For sleep tracking, I also added the Helio Ring and the WHOOP 4.0 bracelet as a comparison.
Prices and availability
The Xiaomi Volume 9 is available in four different colors at a price of 35 to 40 euros.
Should you buy the Xiaomi Volume 9?
The Xiaomi Volume 9 is worth it for you if you ...
... is looking for a cheap fitness tracker.
... mainly want to measure steps and sleeping length.
... confidently dispensed with NFC, GPS and a wide selection of app.
... only listen to music on your smartphone anyway.
... put a long battery life at the top of the list.
Possible alternatives to Xiaomi Volume 9
- From Google with theFitbit Charge 6offered an alternative. Here, however, the price is just under 110 euros.
- Huawei puts a similarly cheap fitness tracker like Xiaomi on the sales shelves. TheHuawei Band 9According to the manufacturer, a battery life of 9 to 14 days is "only" achieved, but has integrated GPS. In addition, the bracelet can be charged from 0 to 100 percent in 45 minutes.
- If you do not value the longest as long as possible battery life, you can confidently use the predecessor. TheXiaomi Band 8If it is hardly different from the latest model and is already available from 28 euros.
The Xiaomi Volume 9 caught me on the right foot. For less than 40 euros, it is ideal as a tracker for steps and sleeping time.
If exactly these two disciplines are particularly important to you, you are (almost) wrong with the smart bracelet. At least if you can do without GPS and NFC chip.
