To have fun its tenth anniversary, PlayStation China teamed up with Xiaomi to launch a limited-edition Xiaomi Good Band 9 Professional, with a particular watch band that reveals the enduring PlayStation controller icons. In the meantime, U.S.-based PS5 homeowners ought to prepare for that jealous FOMO feeling as a result of these sorts of limited-edition launches by no means appear to make it outdoors of Asia.
The Weibo submit (through Android Authority) explains that one fortunate person who shares the submit will probably be despatched the field. Nevertheless, it is truthful to imagine that Sony will even promote this limited-edition health tracker extra extensively to different Chinese language followers.
We do not understand how else the Sony-themed Xiaomi Good Band 9 Professional differs from the conventional model, except for the cool watch strap; possibly it comes with distinctive software program that pairs together with your PS5 or Sony-themed watch faces.
Some Xiaomi bands get world releases and you may technically purchase the Good Band 9 Professional within the U.S. However I would not maintain my breath if I am a PlayStation fan outdoors of China. Not simply because it is a area of interest giveaway, however as a result of it is an annoyingly widespread development for Particular Version telephones, watches, and different nerd-branded equipment to by no means make it to the USA, even when they need to.
Licensing charges cease us from letting our nerd flags fly
Android telephones have a shocking variety of restricted editions. OnePlus, particularly, has focused main nerd fandoms with a Star Wars-themed OnePlus 5T, Avengers-themed OnePlus 6, and even old-school Pac-Man followers with the Nord 2.
The development has died out considerably in recent times. Samsung, for instance, offered a Galaxy Observe 10 Plus Star Wars Version and a Galaxy S20 Plus BTS Version, however nerds have been hung dry for current generations just like the Galaxy S25. Nonetheless, Chinese language manufacturers like TECNO and POCO introduced a Bumblebee Version and Iron Man Version of their new telephones in January 2025, so the observe is alive and properly.
Why do these telephones not often make it stateside? In my 2022 rant on limited-edition telephones, I defined how the few manufacturers that may break into the Apple and Samsung-dominated U.S. tech market cannot afford the licensing charges right here. For no matter motive, promoting an Iron Man cellphone in China is reasonably priced, whereas it is all however unimaginable within the U.S.
Picture 1 of 3
In a perfect world, we might see extra tech — or not less than official equipment — that permit your geek flag fly, whether or not as a gamer, comedian e-book nerd, sci-fi fanatic, or the rest. Your typical smartwatch is way too compact to point out a singular design, however an unique strap and watch faces — like Sony’s PlayStation-themed band for Xiaomi — would simply work.
If Sony can accomplice with Xiaomi to make a PlayStation-themed watch band, why not Apple or Samsung? Each manufacturers promote dozens of watch straps in numerous colours, however we by no means see something official with that sort of model synergy. And that very same logic might apply to all method of different main manufacturers, with fanbases that might snap up limited-edition tech in a second.
At the very least you’ll be able to often discover a cellphone case together with your favourite character on it. However that by no means appears to use to look at bands, and I want that together with all of the bands targeted on fashion, athletics, or consolation, we had extra bands targeted on enjoyable!
I do not need one thing too kitschy or garish, however I can think about different nerdy logos instead of these PlayStation buttons, just like the Insurgent Alliance crest or Starfleet badge, that might look neat hooked up to your smartwatch. And when you ever wanted to look extra severe for an occasion, you possibly can at all times swap out your band for a extra trendy and delicate one.
The larger precedence proper now could be ensuring that your watch band is not poisonous, clearly. However hey, giving us nerds extra enjoyable watch band choices is a good incentive to make us throw out our previous bands and check out one thing new!
