HUAWEI Band 9: Real User’s Opinion - Is It Worth It?
When a new gadget comes out, I can’t wait to touch it, and that was the case when I received the HUAWEI Band 9. I had been using my old tracker for a long time and was looking forward to the promised improved features. But did it live up to expectations? Let’s move directly to its use.
First Reaction: Sleek and Friendly Design
Well, first of all, the packaging. There’s nothing revolutionary about it, but the design is neat and does its job. Inside, the Band 9 looks a lot like the Band 8 - if you’ve seen the Band 8 before, you’ve seen it somewhat before. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s thin, lightweight, and the strap feels nice to the touch. I got the white version, which is slightly shiny and has chrome trim, giving it a premium look. The case is all plastic, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. I don’t recall any other trackers with a flat bottom where the sensor is located.
Detailed Feature Analysis: Tracking and Technology
Let’s talk about technology: the 1.47-inch AMOLED display is bright, colors are good. Auto-brightness is a nice feature that makes it easy to see outdoors. Also, the display is always on. However, the lack of an analog clock face option is disappointing. The screen is responsive and menu navigation is smooth. The physical buttons are also nice. There is a 9-axis IMU inside, which should provide more accurate tracking. It will be interesting to see how it performs over time. We tested the heart rate monitor against a chest strap, and while it wasn’t always accurate, it was adequate for everyday use. The sleep tracking was impressive, catching naps and nighttime routines. There’s also oxygen saturation and stress monitoring to give you an overall picture of your health; there are 100 different workout modes; there’s a workout mode to choose from; there’s a workout mode for your body and a workout mode for your mind. It’s great to have all these features, but how many people actually use them all?
Real-World Application: Everyday Life and Workouts
How does this fit into everyday life? Well, it’s pretty easy. It’s comfortable to wear all day and all night, which is a big win for me. I use it during my workouts, daily walks, and even when I’m checking notifications at my desk. The only thing I noticed is that when running, the step count is not displayed while running, but later in the workout report. However, I liked the integrated workout plans available in the app. It’s easy to start a workout, and I like the voice broadcast feature for running. There is no GPS on the watch itself, but if you start a workout from the app, you can use your phone’s GPS. For those who like to swim, the waterproof feature is great, and it allows you to get a lot of data such as number of paddles and SWOLF.
Minuses and Limitations: Not Perfect
Now let’s be honest: the Band 9 is not perfect. The heart rate sensor works well for general purposes, but during intense cycling or weightlifting, it can let you down. It’s not terrible, but sometimes the readings don’t match up. In a video where I tested two different Band 9s, one watch performed significantly worse than the other. This makes me question the quality of the watch’s manufacturing, and the lack of built-in GPS is a bit disappointing. The grouping of workouts isn’t the most intuitive, and adding new workouts is difficult. Some watch faces are locked for a fee, which can be frustrating. Also, the notification settings are a bit odd, with some apps taking priority over others. It’s a small thing, but I wish there was an option to disable the “wake and wake” feature right on the watch.
Comparison: How It Looks Compared to Other Trackers
As it looks compared to other trackers like the Galaxy Fit and Xiaomi Smart Band, the Band 9 holds its own. It has a nicer display than those products and a great battery life. The Fitbit Charge is a strong competitor, but at a higher price point; the Apple Watch is in a different price range and has a lot more features; compared to the Band 8, it’s a slight upgrade, but not a significant one. Auto Brightness is a major advantage; I’ve seen comparisons where the Band 8 has a better heart rate sensor, so it’s a subtle thing. If you have a Band 8, you probably don’t need to update unless you need auto-brightness; I’ve used the Huawei Health app on other Huawei devices, and I like the old-fashioned app.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Who is it for? So is the HUAWEI Band 9 worth it? For those who need a feature-rich fitness tracker, this is a great choice. It has good battery life, a nice display, and a good set of health management tools. It’s not ideal for intense workouts, but it’s great for everyday use. If you’re a casual user looking for a reliable tracker, this is a good choice. If you’re an avid athlete, however, you may want to look for a different device. It’s a good combination of basic fitness and smartwatch. It’s also a good value at $69. I would give the Band 9 four out of five stars. It has a few minor issues, but it’s a practical device that gets the job done.
