What’s in a name? We’ve asked it probably a hundred times in the last year with the way terms like Pro, Max, Active, and Plus get added to tech products, but what do those names really mean? Sometimes, they mean quite a lot, like giving you an additional sensor, a bigger display, or better materials. Other times, however, those names add confusion to an otherwise simple set of devices.
Xiaomi’s Smart Band 9 series (also known as the Mi Band 9 in some markets) has become one of those cases. Its affordable fitness tracking lineup has grown to include three wearables — the Smart Band 9 Pro, Smart Band 9 Active, and the standard Smart Band 9 — and all three cost well under $100. So, with little room to differentiate between the three, how are you supposed to know which one to buy?