Huawei has made other lightweight wearables like the Fitbit Inspire 3 and the Amazfit Band 7 the center of attention with the launch of the Huawei Band 9, an ultra-thin fitness-specific smartwatch with a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen and nearly two-week battery life

Wellness

Rich in wellness technology and compatible with both Apple and Android devices, it could be a contender for the title of best lightweight wearable. Here is everything you need to know about the new Huawei Band 9.

The Huawei Band 9 weighs exactly the same as its predecessor, 0.5 ounces and 9 mm thick, in a rectangular case with the same bright 1.47-inch AMOLED touch display. There is one physical button on the side of the watch.

Water resistance remains the same at 50 meters, enough for a quick dip, but not for long swims. Battery life remains the same, up to 14 days under best conditions and 9 days under normal use, which is respectable.

The new device will be available in five colors: white, black, pink, yellow, and blue. The rubber straps have been significantly improved and are softer to the touch and more durable than previous models.

Also updated are the straps woven with anti-microbial threads that look quite stylish. However, this appears to be available only on the blue model.

The Band 9 has considerably fewer physical improvements, but it does have some upgraded health monitoring technology and updated processing algorithms.

A new 9-axis motion sensor has replaced the 6-axis sensor in the Band 8. According to Huawei, this should improve swim stroke detection and overall workout tracking accuracy, especially for swimmers.

The Band 9 also includes an ambient light sensor, which automatically dims the screen based on ambient brightness, extending battery life.

On the software side, the device's vital sign monitoring algorithm will receive an update that, according to Huawei, will improve the accuracy of heart rate tracking and reduce the time to perform SpO2 readings.

Like its predecessor, Band 9 also monitors pulse for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). It also has several built-in stress management tools, along with menstrual health tracking.

The sleep tracking software has also been redesigned. In addition to blood oxygenation and heart rate, it now monitors abnormal breathing patterns. In the morning, Band 9 can be set up to provide insight into rest and workout recommendations for the night.

The Huawei Band 9's smart features are limited. There are no niche features like mobile payments, maps, or offline music storage. In fact, aside from Bluetooth notifications and remote music control, there is nothing to report.

The Huawei Band 9 is a relatively minor update over the Huawei Band 8. If you have the former, there is little reason to upgrade.

Huawei has yet to announce pricing, but we expect the tracker to land somewhere around $60, similar to its predecessor. Global availability and delivery timelines have yet to be revealed. And while the Band 9 has a larger screen, the Inspire 3 is still the affordable wearable to beat for fitness tracking accuracy and reliable health monitoring.

The Amazfit Band 7 ($49) and the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 series (~$50) will also be tough competitors for Huawei's new devices in terms of price and styling.

Ultimately, time will tell if the upgrades made to the Band 9, especially those related to wellness and tracking accuracy, will be enough to earn Huawei the title of lightweight smartwatch. We will update once we get one for testing.