I thought this was just some clickbait rant but turns out it was legit. I have an Amazfit Balance and yes these concerns are true, especially if you're looking for a more serious sports tracker. Navigation battery not as good as Garmin. GPS and health not as good as Coros and Suunto. Smart watch features not as good as Apple Watch or Galaxy Ultra. Amazfit Balance, is just well, balanced. It does what a smart watch and sports tracker do, but ends up barely enough to make it the best replacement for either. However, where I live, Suunto, Coros, and Garmin with similar feature is just much more expensive. My usecase is also for notification, style, and some light workout like weight lifting and occassional aerobics, so Balance is the choice for me in terms of price and usecases.
Thanks for your comment and honest feedback. I could not summarize it better than you did: Amazfit Balance, it's just balanced. Where I live too, watches from other brands are way overpriced but that is why I myself ended up opting for a second hand device. If you choose a similar move the options are way more compelling than the Amazfit.
Yes that auto-screen lock for running is a REAL pain ! Still there on the T-Rex 3 too... Can you really not scroll the maps with the finger on the Balance ? It's possible on the TR3.
Thanks for reaching out. Hopefully the touch screen integration for map navigation will soon be added via update to the Amazfit Balance as well. But as in pointed out, so often Amazfit is focused on new device launch than previous model support. With some luck that'll change Ii n the future but up until then, I stand on my opinion.
Helpful and informative review thanks. The Amazfit Balance 2 hopefully will be out in the next few months and address some of the more significant issues. I have an older Amazfit. Sadly the older charger isn’t compatible with the Balance.
Glad it was helpful. I'm as well looking forward the next generation. Seems like they opted for this new charger as it is the same for the T-Rex 3 and despite the incompatibility with previous model it's a nice improvement, it sticks in place effortlessly. Haven't you consider the T-Rex 3 instead? Seems like a capable device.
I would love to grab one but unfortunately in Vietnam the Huawei watch GT 5 isn't actually available yet. Hopefully soon, seems like a really capable device.
For reference, you can change the HR monitoring rate in the settings. Been a while since I switch to a Galaxy Watch and off the top of my head, it was hidden a bit, but you can change it. Setting it to continuous will hit battery life, however.
Thanks mate for the feedback but unfortunately you're mistaking, as the best sort of setting one can get is HR reading every minute, and as you said it's kinda hidden in the setting menu.
@ChasetheRabbit looks like they changed it... again. From what I gather you can now only set it to go continuously when it detects a workout, otherwise it's indeed 1 minute, which seems stupidly long as the minimum interval. I remember one of my gripes being that the interval would randomly revert to the standard 10 minutes at times, meaning I'd have to go back into the settings.
It's quite unfortunate that Amazfit opted for such a setting configuration. The battery life is, in my opinion, more than sufficient and I would have rather traded continuous HR readings for a couple of days less of battery life as a tradeoff.
Do you know if there's a new version coming soon? I just found this brand and I've ordered an Amazfit Helio ring to try out since i found it on a very good discount. I want to try the eco system so im looking for a new smartwatch and this i believe is the only Amazfit with nfc for payment? I use that function a lot on my current watch. The only new Amazfit I've seen is the T-Rex 3 but i dont like those huge chunky watches. (Got a Garmin Venu 2 plus now)
I don't believe there will be a Balance 2 anytime soon. If you like the slick design the other only alternative on a relatively affordable budget is the Amazfit Active. It strikes a good balance of style and performance but it lacks the ability to pair an external HR sensor.
Thanks for your feedback. It’s a good call if you can find it on sale. If you don’t mind the maps nor the always on display, you might consider as well the Amazfit Edge and save almost half the money.
I would personally opt for the Garmin, hands down. Any particular goal in mind? One of the Amazfit feature i enjoyed was the built in microphone, in case I really needed to take a call. But the metrics collected from the Garmin and the app itself are way more refined.
Amazfit is holding a press conference at IFA in early September. I would recommend waiting for that, as they might announce a new watch. Amazfit usually unveils new wearables between September and October. My guess is that it could be a new T-Rex 3, but that's not certain.
You're right on the money. Last night they tweeted about some mystery new adventure product that sure looks exactly like the leaked T-Rex 3 from last week in silhouette@@ChasetheRabbit
I dont know if we are talking about the same watch? This watch is awsome and i had them all, name it iwatch, galaxi, t rex…you should loosen yourself,this video is too much negative and definetly not objective…but i understand that you as a “athlete” search for the holy grail…for what…220 eur?!
Thanks for your feedback and opinion. I always appreciate some constructive criticism. All I'm saying is that for 30€ more (as it's often on discount) one should be better off with a watch such as the Garmin Forerunner 255 which definitely offer way more metrics, allowing even a recreational sports enthusiastic to get a deeper breakdown of training stats, level and intensity. That said the Balance still is an amazing device, wish Amazfit could have gone that extra mile and offer more insight.
Hi and thank you for your feedback. Hopefully I'll be able to better expose and explain my criticism for I may have not been able to express it clearly addressing the reasons behind my disappointment. To be concise... Do you know that the only training metrics offered are the same ( a VO2max an a training load ) as the Amazfit Stratos launched back in 2018...
I thought this was just some clickbait rant but turns out it was legit. I have an Amazfit Balance and yes these concerns are true, especially if you're looking for a more serious sports tracker. Navigation battery not as good as Garmin. GPS and health not as good as Coros and Suunto. Smart watch features not as good as Apple Watch or Galaxy Ultra.
Amazfit Balance, is just well, balanced. It does what a smart watch and sports tracker do, but ends up barely enough to make it the best replacement for either. However, where I live, Suunto, Coros, and Garmin with similar feature is just much more expensive. My usecase is also for notification, style, and some light workout like weight lifting and occassional aerobics, so Balance is the choice for me in terms of price and usecases.
Thanks for your comment and honest feedback.
I could not summarize it better than you did: Amazfit Balance, it's just balanced. Where I live too, watches from other brands are way overpriced but that is why I myself ended up opting for a second hand device. If you choose a similar move the options are way more compelling than the Amazfit.
I was planing to buy this watch in coming Amazon sale.. but after watching your honest review I have changed my decision 😊
Thanks. Wondering what will you plan on buying instead.
Yes that auto-screen lock for running is a REAL pain ! Still there on the T-Rex 3 too...
Can you really not scroll the maps with the finger on the Balance ? It's possible on the TR3.
Thanks for reaching out. Hopefully the touch screen integration for map navigation will soon be added via update to the Amazfit Balance as well. But as in pointed out, so often Amazfit is focused on new device launch than previous model support. With some luck that'll change Ii n the future but up until then, I stand on my opinion.
Amazfit balance is a good watch for its price, but I went for galaxy watch because I needed more health features.
Great, how do you find it for fitness tracking? Ever considered a watch from Garmin, Suunto or Coros?
Helpful and informative review thanks. The Amazfit Balance 2 hopefully will be out in the next few months and address some of the more significant issues.
I have an older Amazfit. Sadly the older charger isn’t compatible with the Balance.
Glad it was helpful. I'm as well looking forward the next generation. Seems like they opted for this new charger as it is the same for the T-Rex 3 and despite the incompatibility with previous model it's a nice improvement, it sticks in place effortlessly. Haven't you consider the T-Rex 3 instead? Seems like a capable device.
what do you think about the new Huawei Watch GT5
I would love to grab one but unfortunately in Vietnam the Huawei watch GT 5 isn't actually available yet. Hopefully soon, seems like a really capable device.
For reference, you can change the HR monitoring rate in the settings. Been a while since I switch to a Galaxy Watch and off the top of my head, it was hidden a bit, but you can change it. Setting it to continuous will hit battery life, however.
Thanks mate for the feedback but unfortunately you're mistaking, as the best sort of setting one can get is HR reading every minute, and as you said it's kinda hidden in the setting menu.
@ChasetheRabbit looks like they changed it... again. From what I gather you can now only set it to go continuously when it detects a workout, otherwise it's indeed 1 minute, which seems stupidly long as the minimum interval. I remember one of my gripes being that the interval would randomly revert to the standard 10 minutes at times, meaning I'd have to go back into the settings.
It's quite unfortunate that Amazfit opted for such a setting configuration. The battery life is, in my opinion, more than sufficient and I would have rather traded continuous HR readings for a couple of days less of battery life as a tradeoff.
Do you know if there's a new version coming soon? I just found this brand and I've ordered an Amazfit Helio ring to try out since i found it on a very good discount. I want to try the eco system so im looking for a new smartwatch and this i believe is the only Amazfit with nfc for payment? I use that function a lot on my current watch.
The only new Amazfit I've seen is the T-Rex 3 but i dont like those huge chunky watches. (Got a Garmin Venu 2 plus now)
I don't believe there will be a Balance 2 anytime soon. If you like the slick design the other only alternative on a relatively affordable budget is the Amazfit Active. It strikes a good balance of style and performance but it lacks the ability to pair an external HR sensor.
thanks for the review, might go for it if it's on sale or if i find a really cheap price 2nd hand. btw the audio is pretty low
Thanks for your feedback. It’s a good call if you can find it on sale. If you don’t mind the maps nor the always on display, you might consider as well the Amazfit Edge and save almost half the money.
A new Amazfit Balance VS used Garmin Forerunner 265 ?
I would personally opt for the Garmin, hands down. Any particular goal in mind? One of the Amazfit feature i enjoyed was the built in microphone, in case I really needed to take a call. But the metrics collected from the Garmin and the app itself are way more refined.
Is there a version 2 coming soon (better accuracy for hart rate, sleep, and gps, more memory for maps, ... better sensors, ...etc.)
Nah
Amazfit is holding a press conference at IFA in early September. I would recommend waiting for that, as they might announce a new watch. Amazfit usually unveils new wearables between September and October. My guess is that it could be a new T-Rex 3, but that's not certain.
You're right on the money. Last night they tweeted about some mystery new adventure product that sure looks exactly like the leaked T-Rex 3 from last week in silhouette@@ChasetheRabbit
I'm curious too, especially about what may be the launch price of the upcoming T-rex.
Thanks for the warnings. I enjoyed the wit, too.
Thanks for your comment. I’m glad to have been helpful. What will you opt for?
I dont know if we are talking about the same watch? This watch is awsome and i had them all, name it iwatch, galaxi, t rex…you should loosen yourself,this video is too much negative and definetly not objective…but i understand that you as a “athlete” search for the holy grail…for what…220 eur?!
Thanks for your feedback and opinion. I always appreciate some constructive criticism. All I'm saying is that for 30€ more (as it's often on discount) one should be better off with a watch such as the Garmin Forerunner 255 which definitely offer way more metrics, allowing even a recreational sports enthusiastic to get a deeper breakdown of training stats, level and intensity. That said the Balance still is an amazing device, wish Amazfit could have gone that extra mile and offer more insight.
I totally agree with you. plus, Amazfit provides updates very regularly. This review is very biased.
Hi and thank you for your feedback. Hopefully I'll be able to better expose and explain my criticism for I may have not been able to express it clearly addressing the reasons behind my disappointment.
To be concise... Do you know that the only training metrics offered are the same ( a VO2max an a training load ) as the Amazfit Stratos launched back in 2018...