The Amazfit Balance is making waves in the world of smartwatches, offering an impressive array of features at an affordable price point of $229. Owned by Zep, Amazfit has been producing various products, from earbuds to body scales, and their smartwatches are gaining attention for their value proposition.
In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the hardware, software, GPS accuracy, heart rate accuracy, and more to help you decide if the Amazfit Balance is the right smartwatch for you. Get it here: Amazfit Balance>>
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Color Options and Pricing:
The Amazfit Balance is available in two attractive colors: Sunset Gray and Midnight Black. Priced at $229 in the USA, it offers an enticing combination of features at an affordable cost. While prices may vary globally, this watch’s value proposition is compelling when compared to more expensive options in the market.
Size and Weight:
With a diameter of 46 millimeters and a thickness of 10.6 millimeters, the Amazfit Balance boasts a sleek and lightweight design. Weighing just 52 grams with the included band, it is comfortable to wear for extended periods. Its size and weight are comparable to some higher-priced competitors, making it suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes.
Hardware Overview and Buttons:
The Amazfit Balance features a minimalistic design with a speaker and microphone discreetly placed on the left side. On the right side, it sports a top button, which doubles as a digital crown, and a single side button at the bottom.
The watch’s back houses an optical heart rate sensor, an SPO2 sensor, and an internal temperature sensor. Notably, the watch bands use industry-standard quick-release mechanisms, allowing for easy replacement.
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Magnetic Charger:
Charging the Amazfit Balance is hassle-free with its magnetic USB Puck-style charger. While the charger is proprietary and not interchangeable with previous Amazfit models, it securely attaches to the watch, ensuring a reliable connection.
Build Quality and Water Resistance:
The watch is water-resistant up to five atmospheres, making it suitable for activities such as swimming and open-water swimming. Its aluminum bezel exudes durability, while the plastic back maintains a lightweight feel. The overall build quality is solid, making it resilient to the rigors of daily use and various activities.
Display, Brightness, and Touch Response:
The Amazfit Balance boasts a 1.5-inch AMOLED display with a high resolution of 480×480 pixels. The screen offers a brightness of 1500 nits, making it easily readable even in bright outdoor conditions. Its impressive screen-to-body ratio of 73% enhances the overall visual appeal of the watch. The display is durable, with tempered glass that resists scratches and maintains its quality even during outdoor adventures.
Touch response on the Amazfit Balance is exceptional, offering smooth and lag-free navigation through the user interface. The display’s responsiveness enhances the overall user experience, allowing users to effortlessly access features and apps.
Connectivity, External Sensors, and Music:
The watch features Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with smartphones, enabling the seamless transfer of notifications. Additionally, it offers Wi-Fi for over-the-air firmware updates. While Wi-Fi functionality is currently limited to updates, it may potentially serve other purposes in future software releases.
The watch supports the connection of external sensors, such as heart rate monitors and power meters, over Bluetooth. Users can also store music directly on the watch for playback with paired earbuds. While the music functionality is somewhat basic and requires MP3 files, it offers convenience for on-the-go music playback without the need for a smartphone.
User Interface Walkthrough and Smartwatch Features:
The Amazfit Balance runs on Zep OS 3.0, a proprietary operating system that combines elements of popular smartwatch platforms like Google Wear OS and Apple Watch. The user interface is intuitive, offering a familiar experience to those accustomed to other smartwatches. Users can access notifications, customize watch faces, and explore a growing library of apps available through the Zep app store.
The watch supports notifications from paired smartphones, allowing users to stay updated on messages and alerts. The customizable watch faces offer a range of options to suit individual preferences. The Zep app store provides access to additional apps, expanding the watch’s functionality.
Wellness Features and Readiness Score:
One standout feature of the Amazfit Balance is its comprehensive set of wellness tools. The “Readiness” score assesses a user’s readiness for physical activity and recovery. It considers factors like physical recovery, mental recovery, sleep, resting heart rate, sleep HRV, breathing quality, and skin temperature. While the accuracy of these metrics can vary among individuals, they offer valuable insights into one’s overall well-being.
Training Tools and Activity Profiles:
The watch includes various training tools for optimizing running and cycling workouts. These tools include a seven-day training load analysis, race predictor, and estimated VO2 max. With 150 activity profiles available, users can track a wide range of activities, from outdoor running and cycling to team sports like tennis, soccer, and basketball. The watch’s workout app allows users to set workout goals, create alerts, and engage in interval training.
Navigation and GPS Accuracy:
The Amazfit Balance offers breadcrumb navigation, a useful feature for outdoor enthusiasts. While it does not provide detailed maps, it helps users follow their path by displaying a simplified route on the screen. Users can upload GPX files from platforms like Strava to enable navigation on the watch. While basic, this navigation feature is a valuable addition for outdoor activities.
Battery Life and GPS Modes:
Battery life on the Amazfit Balance is commendable. In typical Smartwatch mode, the watch can last up to 14 days, making it suitable for daily use. When using GPS, users can expect up to 26 hours of battery life in high-accuracy mode, 47 hours in automatic mode, and 52 hours in power save GPS mode. This impressive battery life ensures that users can track their activities without constantly worrying about recharging.
GPS Accuracy:
The watch’s dual-frequency GNSS (GPS) chip offers impressive GPS accuracy. During testing, it consistently provided reliable GPS data for most road runs under favorable conditions. While minor issues like jitter and drifting were observed occasionally, the overall GPS accuracy was respectable. The recorded distances were generally consistent with those of other test devices.
Heart Rate Sensor Accuracy:
The optical heart rate sensor on the Amazfit Balance surprised with its improved accuracy compared to previous Amazfit models. While heart rate accuracy can vary among individuals, the watch provided generally reliable heart rate data during testing. However, users should be aware that factors such as skin color, hair presence, and body composition can influence heart rate sensor performance.
Pros:
- Affordable Price: At $229, the Amaze Fit Balance offers an impressive set of features for its price, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
- Sleek Design: With a modern and lightweight design, the Amaze Fit Balance is comfortable to wear for extended periods, suitable for a variety of activities.
- Bright AMOLED Display: The 1.5-inch AMOLED display with 1500 nits brightness ensures excellent visibility, even in outdoor conditions. The high resolution enhances the overall visual experience.
- Comprehensive Wellness Features: The inclusion of a “Readiness” score, along with metrics like physical and mental recovery, sleep tracking, and heart rate variability, provides users with valuable insights into their well-being.
- Long Battery Life: The watch boasts impressive battery life, lasting up to 14 days in typical Smartwatch mode and offering substantial hours of use with GPS tracking enabled.
- Dual-Frequency GNSS (GPS) Chip: The dual-frequency GPS chip enhances GPS accuracy, providing reliable data for outdoor activities.
- Variety of Activity Profiles: With 150 activity profiles, the Amaze Fit Balance caters to a wide range of sports and activities, making it versatile for different users.
- Decent Heart Rate Sensor Accuracy: The optical heart rate sensor on the back of the watch delivers improved accuracy compared to previous Amaze Fit models. Get it here: Amazfit Balance>>.
Cons:
- Ecosystem Transition: Users invested in other ecosystems (Garmin, Coros, Apple) may find it challenging to transition to the Amaze Fit ecosystem, affecting the seamless integration of devices and services.
- Basic Navigation Features: While the inclusion of breadcrumb navigation is valuable, the overall navigation features are somewhat basic, lacking detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions.
- Limited Music App Compatibility: The internal music storage feature is somewhat limited, only supporting MP3 files and not integrating with popular music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.
- App Store Maturity: While the Zep app store is growing, it may not offer as extensive a selection of apps as more established platforms like Apple’s App Store.
- Subjective Readiness Score Accuracy: The accuracy of the “Readiness” score and other wellness metrics can be subjective, with individual variations affecting the reliability of these features. Get it here: Amazfit Balance>>.
Buy Amazfit if:
- You are on a budget but still want a feature-rich smartwatch.
- You prioritize a modern design and a bright, responsive AMOLED display.
- You are looking for a fitness-focused smartwatch with long battery life.
- You are open to trying a new ecosystem and brand. Get it here: Amazfit Balance>>.
Do Not Buy Amazfit if:
- You are heavily invested in another smartwatch ecosystem (Garmin, Apple, etc.) and find the transition challenging.
- You require advanced navigation features with detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions.
- Seamless integration with popular music streaming services is a priority.
- You are skeptical about the subjective accuracy of wellness features like the “Readiness” score.
Final Thoughts and Competition:
In conclusion, the Amazfit Balance offers an impressive combination of features, build quality, and affordability. Priced at $229, it competes favorably with other smartwatches in its class. While its accuracy in metrics like readiness scores and heart rate monitoring may vary for individual users, it delivers a compelling package.
Compared to competitors like the Coros Pace 3 or Apple Watch SE, the Amazfit Balance stands out as a smartwatch with strong fitness capabilities. It bridges the gap between fitness-focused and smartwatch-oriented wearables, making it an attractive option for those seeking versatility.
Ultimately, the choice between the Amazfit Balance and other brands comes down to individual preferences, brand loyalty, and desired features. For users open to exploring a new ecosystem, the A Amazfit Balance presents an excellent value proposition with a modern design, robust features, and impressive battery life. Check out the latest price here: Amazfit Balance>>.
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