Amazfit Balance Review: Budget Smartwatch with Unmatched Battery Life
Amazfit Balance Review
Overview
The Amazfit Balance is a new smartwatch from Amazfit, following the GTR and GTS series. It has a lightweight design despite its large battery. The price is $199.99, making it budget-friendly compared to many high-end alternatives.
Design and Build
The Amazfit Balance features a 1.5-inch AMOLED display and weighs only 35 grams. It offers comfort for daily wear and comes with two band options: Midnight Black and Sunset Grey.
Battery Life
One standout feature of the Amazfit Balance is its battery life. It can last up to two weeks on a single charge, which is impressive for a smartwatch. Light users may even see up to 20 days of battery life.
Health and Fitness Features
The watch supports over 150 sports modes. It includes heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep tracking, and menstrual tracking. The watch is also water-resistant up to 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming.
Smartwatch Features
The Amazfit Balance runs on Zepp OS 3.5, which can be upgraded to Zepp OS 4 for better features. It supports third-party apps via the Zepp app. Users can reply to messages using a QWERTY keyboard. The device has a microphone and speaker for hands-free calls.
AI Integration
The watch includes AI features. Users can employ Amazon Alexa or Zepp Flow, which utilizes GPT-4 technology. These tools analyze health data and offer personalized recommendations.
Cons
The smartwatch has a few issues. Some users report inaccurate step counting. The messaging response feature sometimes does not work reliably with apps like Slack and Gmail. Also, NFC payments are limited to the Zepp Pay app, which may not be trusted by all users. The lack of an LTE version limits its standalone functionality.
Comparative Analysis
When compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, which is priced similarly, the Balance stands out for its long battery life. However, the Galaxy Watch FE offers better app support and performance due to Wear OS 4.
Final Verdict
You should buy the Amazfit Balance if you want excellent battery life, many fitness tracking options, and a comfortable design. It is ideal for casual users. However, if you require extensive app support, NFC options beyond Zepp Pay, or an LTE version, consider alternatives. Overall, the Amazfit Balance is a solid choice for basic smartwatch needs, especially during sales when discounts are available.