## Fitbit Inspire 3 vs. HUAWEI Band 9: Detailed Comparison
Choosing the right fitness tracker can seem like a daunting task, because there are so many options. Today, we’ll take a detailed look and compare two popular options - the Fitbit Inspire 3 and the HUAWEI Band 9. Both devices are aimed at monitoring your health and fitness, but each has its own pros and cons. Let’s break it down.
Design and Comfort
The Fitbit Inspire 3 has a slim, lightweight design that makes it comfortable to wear during the day and at night. It is so lightweight that you may even forget you are wearing it. The AMOLED color display is much improved over the previous model and provides bright and clear images even in direct sunlight. The touchscreen is responsive but can be a bit choppy if your hands are wet. The overall design is minimalistic and elegant and goes well with any style.
Meanwhile, the HUAWEI Band 9 also features a lightweight and comfortable design and is suitable for constant wear. The AMOLED display is bright and crisp, with automatic brightness adjustment depending on lighting conditions. The strap is pleasant to the touch, and despite being made of plastic, the construction is generally sturdy. The flat bottom where the sensors are located is a unique design decision. Both devices are built for comfort, but the Inspire 3 may have a slight edge in terms of smartness.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Both trackers offer extensive health tracking capabilities. The Fitbit Inspire 3 tracks heart rate, sleep stages, blood oxygen levels, and even skin temperature. Users praise it for its accuracy in detecting sleep disturbances and for its detailed sleep charts. However, heart rate tracking can be a bit choppy during high-intensity workouts. The Inspire 3 uses a connected GPS and relies on a smartphone for outdoor activities, which may be a drawback for some.
The HUAWEI Band 9 provides heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep, and stress monitoring. Despite a wide range of workout modes, some users have noted that the accuracy of heart rate tracking is unstable, especially during strenuous activity. Sleep phase tracking is not as accurate as in medical-grade devices. As with the Inspire 3, accurate route tracking relies on cell phone GPS. Both devices have good health metrics, but neither is perfect in terms of accuracy.
Battery Life
Battery life is an important factor for any wearable device, and the Fitbit Inspire 3 offers a long battery life - up to 10 days with standard use. However, that time drops to around 5-7 days if you enable the always-on display and gesture mode. Still, that’s pretty impressive for a device of this size.
The HUAWEI Band 9 shines in this area, with a battery life of up to two weeks with normal use and up to four days with the display on. This is a huge advantage for those who don’t like frequent charging. The Band 9’s battery life is definitely a strong advantage.
Other Features and Considerations
Fitbit Inspire 3 requires a Fitbit Premium subscription to access all features, including daily readiness metrics and wellness reports. A 6-month free trial is included, but this adds to the long-term cost. The small screen size may also make reading text difficult for some users. The device does not transmit heart rate data to other devices, which may be a limitation for some users.
HUAWEI Band 9 has limited ability to quickly respond to iOS device notifications. Some users may find the list of sport modes less intuitive and difficult to navigate. The new IMU sensor setting may require additional customization to achieve optimal accuracy in sports. Also, some watch faces are locked for a fee, which can be frustrating.
One Fitbit Inspire 3 user said: “I was surprised to see the watch clocking in when I woke up a bit in the middle of the night." Another user wrote: ‘The color touchscreen is a vast improvement over the Inspire 2. It is responsive and easy to operate. However, some users find that the heart rate sensor shakes a bit while running.’
About the HUAWEI Band 9, one user wrote: ‘The 1.47-inch AMOLED display is bright and has good colors. The auto-brightness is a good feature, it’s easy to see outdoors.” Another user said: “Sleep tracking was impressive, capturing snooze and night mode.” he stated. However, some users noted erratic heart rate tracking and an unintuitive list of sport modes.
Final Thoughts
The Fitbit Inspire 3 and HUAWEI Band 9 are solid fitness trackers with their own advantages and disadvantages. The Inspire 3 offers a sleek design and comprehensive tracking, but full access requires a subscription. The Band 9 offers great battery life and extensive features at a competitive price, but the accuracy of the measurements leaves a lot to be desired.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual needs and priorities. If you appreciate sleek design and don’t mind a subscription, the Inspire 3 is a good choice. If battery life and cost are priorities, however, the Band 9 is a strong contender.