The smartwatch market is constantly evolving, and Amazfit continues to push boundaries with its innovative devices. The recently launched Amazfit Balance 2, while retaining the familiar aesthetic of its predecessor, the Amazfit Balance, introduces a significant leap in terms of durability, performance, and functionality. This in-depth comparison will dissect the key advancements that make the Balance 2 a compelling upgrade.
Amazfit Balance 2 VS Balance 1: Specs Comparison
Enhanced Durability and Design Refinements
While maintaining its elegant profile, the Amazfit Balance 2 boasts a more robust construction, emphasizing its suitability for a wider range of activities.
Toughened Exterior and Increased Water Resistance
The Balance 2 takes a considerable stride in ruggedness. It features a formidable sapphire glass display, a significant upgrade from the tempered glass found in the original. This premium material not only enhances scratch resistance but also contributes to the device’s impressive 10 ATM water resistance rating, allowing for professional scuba diving. Furthermore, the Balance 2 has earned six military-grade certifications, underscoring its enhanced durability and outdoor credibility compared to its predecessor.
Subtle Yet Impactful Design Evolution
Measuring 47.4 x 47.4 x 12.3 mm, the Balance 2 is slightly larger and thicker (42g) than the original Balance (46 x 46 x 10.6 mm, 35g). While the core aluminum alloy frame and fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell remain, this subtle increase in dimensions lends the Balance 2 a more assertive, almost masculine presence on the wrist. The physical crown and secondary button, though in the same positions, have been refined for a firmer feel and better grip, showcasing Amazfit’s attention to detail.
Performance Boosts and Sensor Innovations
Beyond its hardened exterior, the Amazfit Balance 2 houses significant internal upgrades that translate to a smoother user experience and more accurate data tracking.
Brighter Display and Advanced Chipset
The 1.5-inch AMOLED display retains its 480 x 480 pixel resolution but sees a remarkable jump in peak brightness, from 1500 nits to a staggering 2000 nits. This enhancement ensures superior visibility, even in direct sunlight. Powering the Balance 2 is Zepp Health’s in-house Huangshan 3 processor, a notable departure from the NXP chip in the original. This new chipset, also found in the T-Rex 3, promises smoother performance and contributes to the device’s extended battery life.
Refined Biometric Tracking
The Balance 2 incorporates the updated BioTracker 6.0 sensor. This 6th-generation setup, with 2 LEDs and 5 photodiodes (the same configuration as the T-Rex 3 and Active 2), is designed to deliver improved heart rate accuracy during workouts, despite having fewer photodiodes than the original Balance. However, the absence of the BIA sensor from the original is worth noting, as it provided body composition analysis. This omission aligns with Balance 2’s focus on ruggedness and may have been a design choice to optimize water protection. Other sensors remain consistent across both models.
Extended Battery Life and Enhanced Connectivity
Battery life is a critical factor for any wearable, and the Balance 2 delivers a substantial improvement in this regard, alongside bolstered connectivity options.
Significantly Longer Endurance
The Amazfit Balance 2 comes equipped with a larger 658mAh battery, a significant upgrade from the original’s 475mAh cell. This translates to an impressive increase in typical usage time, extending from 14 days to a remarkable 21 days. Even in power-saving GPS mode, the Balance 2 offers 67 hours of tracking, up from 52 hours, providing greater flexibility for outdoor enthusiasts and long-session users.
Expanded Storage and Improved Audio
Internal storage receives a massive boost, jumping from 4GB to 32GB on the Balance 2. This ample space allows for a vast library of offline maps and music, both of which are still supported. Audio capabilities have also been meticulously reworked. The Balance 2 now features dual speakers and a microphone, promising superior sound quality for phone calls, voice prompts, and media playback, addressing the occasional thinness of the single speaker setup on the original. The haptic motor has also been improved, delivering stronger and more precise vibration feedback.
New Software Features and User Experience Enhancements
Beyond hardware upgrades, the Amazfit Balance 2 introduces a suite of new software features designed to enhance daily usability and cater to specific activities.
Specialized Modes and Advanced Metrics
The Balance 2 introduces a dedicated scuba diving mode, directly leveraging its upgraded water resistance. Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the debut of a dedicated golf tracking mode. For runners, the Balance 2 offers enhanced running dynamics, including land contact time and vertical amplitude, providing deeper insights into form and performance.
Practical Everyday Tools
Two particularly notable additions for everyday use are the Time Difference Manager app, designed to assist with jet lag and time zone adjustments, and a new Zoom-in function. The latter allows users to double-tap the lower button to magnify screen content, which can be invaluable for viewing small text or data fields in challenging lighting conditions or while on the move.
Conclusion: A Worthwhile Evolution
The Amazfit Balance 2 unequivocally stands as the most advanced Amazfit smartwatch to date. It meticulously builds upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing critical enhancements in durability, performance, battery life, and software. While the core design and user experience remain familiar, the Balance 2’s advancements make it a highly compelling option for those seeking a feature-rich and robust wearable.
For existing Amazfit Balance users, an upgrade may not be immediately necessary if their current device continues to meet their needs. However, for individuals in the market for a new Amazfit smartwatch, the Balance 2 is an easy recommendation. Its tougher build, extended battery life, improved sensor performance, and thoughtful software additions position it as a superior choice, offering a blend of business-friendly aesthetics and outdoor-ready capabilities. Currently launched in China at approximately $250, a global release is anticipated soon, likely in June, following recent FCC certifications.
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