The Amazfit Balance smartwatch has emerged as a frontrunner in the crowded smartwatch marketplace, quickly establishing itself as the best option currently available. Drawing on extensive personal experience with various Android smartwatches over a decade, the author makes a compelling case for the Amazfit Balance, citing multiple reasons for its exceptional performance. The discussion extends into the historical evolution of Android smartwatches, the significant improvements in Wear OS, and the unique advantages that the Amazfit Balance holds over its competitors. The Amazfit Balance does not run on the Wear OS platform, but it outperforms its peers in virtually every aspect, from design and longevity to health tracking and user experience.
Evolution of Android Smartwatches
A critical shift in the development of smartwatches occurred about four years ago when original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) realized that Wear OS devices needed at least 1GB of RAM to function smoothly. This watershed moment led to a period where the majority of smartwatches began displaying more stable and reliable performance, bolstered further by the maturing software introduced with the new Wear OS around three years ago. These advancements significantly improved the user experience, making smartwatches more than just an auxiliary gadget; they became essential devices capable of seamless operation and integration with smartphones. Despite these improvements, the Amazfit Balance, running on Zepp OS 4 instead of Wear OS, surpasses other Android smartwatches in terms of overall performance and user satisfaction.
The Wear OS-enabled smartwatches experienced a transformation post the 1GB RAM revelation, enhancing their credibility and utility. However, the Amazfit Balance upstages them by sidestepping Wear OS altogether and opting for a more optimized and tailored experience. This decision has led to a device that not only meets but exceeds user expectations. The lightweight aluminum alloy midframe and fiber-reinforced bottom shell are testaments to its premium build quality. Moreover, the 475mAh battery assures users of five to seven days of power even with the always-on display mode activated, a feature that many other smartwatches struggle to match. Thus, the Amazfit Balance’s superior hardware defines its position as an industry leader.
Superior Hardware Attributes
The hardware of the Amazfit Balance is one of its strongest selling points, combining high-quality materials with thoughtful engineering. The lightweight aluminum alloy midframe and fiber-reinforced bottom shell give it durability without adding bulk, weighing in at just 35 grams. This is only slightly heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, which boasts a smaller 425mAh battery. The Amazfit Balance features a 1.5-inch AMOLED screen with an impressive 73% screen-to-body ratio. Its brightness can reach up to 1,500 nits, ensuring that the display remains easily readable even under bright sunlight, enhancing the overall user experience.
The smartwatch’s physical interface is intuitively designed with two buttons, one serving as both a pusher and rotating crown. This design choice not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the watch but also improves functionality, allowing users to navigate through menus easily and efficiently. The placement and responsiveness of these buttons contribute significantly to the user-friendly profile of the Amazfit Balance. Furthermore, the combination of these features with the long-lasting battery life positions the Amazfit Balance as a top contender in the market, offering a balance of style and functionality that is hard to find elsewhere.
Advanced Health Tracking and Location Accuracy
The Amazfit Balance excels in health tracking capabilities, thanks to its comprehensive hardware suite. It features the in-house designed BioTracker 5.0 PPG biometric sensor, which can monitor an array of vital statistics, including heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Additionally, the BIA bioelectric impedance sensor helps measure body composition, providing detailed insights into one’s physical health. The smartwatch’s advanced data-gathering capabilities empower users to keep a closer eye on their fitness and wellness metrics, making it a valuable tool for both casual users and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Location accuracy is another area where the Amazfit Balance shines. It employs a circularly polarized GPS antenna with dual-band positioning to achieve precise location tracking. By utilizing six satellites, the watch offers unparalleled accuracy in recording and monitoring movement. Furthermore, the device is equipped with several other sensors, including an acceleration sensor, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, air pressure sensor, ambient light sensor, and temperature sensor. This robust suite of sensors ensures that the Amazfit Balance provides accurate health metrics and performance monitoring, underscoring its reputation as one of the most reliable smartwatches on the market.
Enhanced User Experience with Microphone and Speaker
A distinct advantage of the Amazfit Balance is the integration of a microphone and speaker, enriching the user’s experience by enabling functionalities often reserved for more premium devices. With these additions, users can make phone calls directly from the watch, engage in voice-to-text messaging, and utilize voice assistants such as Alexa or the onboard AI assistant. These features significantly enhance the convenience and functionality of the device, making everyday tasks more manageable and efficient. The integration of these elements adds a layer of sophistication to the Amazfit Balance that is rarely found in devices within its price range.
This emphasis on robust hardware combined with advanced features positions the Amazfit Balance as an all-encompassing smartwatch. The ability to make phone calls and send messages directly from the watch, paired with voice assistant capabilities, ensures that users enjoy a seamless, integrated experience. These enhancements, along with the comprehensive suite of sensors and superior design, make the Amazfit Balance a formidable competitor in the smartwatch arena. Its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set underscore its status as a top-tier device that offers exceptional value for money.
Zepp OS 4: A Robust Software Platform
Moving on to the software, the Amazfit Balance is powered by Zepp OS 4, which stands out as a real-time operating system. Over the past year, Zepp OS has seen significant improvements, particularly in the area of notifications and their seamless integration with smartphones. Initially, there were reservations about how well notifications would work on this non-Wear OS device. However, updates to Zepp OS have largely remedied these issues, offering improved notification handling. The ability to utilize voice-to-text functions or the AI assistant Zepp Flow for smart replies has substantially elevated the system’s functionality, granting users a degree of flexibility that rivals Wear OS devices.
Despite lacking Google Play Services, Zepp OS boasts a growing app store and extensive customization options for watch faces through the Zepp App. This adaptability and continuous improvement crafted a more user-centered experience. The Zepp OS 4 has become increasingly robust, offering a well-rounded suite of features that are more than sufficient for most smartwatch users. It’s worth noting that the software plays a critical role in defining the overall user experience, and in this regard, Zepp OS 4 has proven to be both reliable and innovative.
Cost-Effectiveness and Value Proposition
The Amazfit Balance smartwatch has quickly established itself as a leading option in the saturated smartwatch market. Having tested numerous Android smartwatches over the last decade, the author argues convincingly that the Amazfit Balance is the best available today. The analysis includes the historical development of Android smartwatches, notable advancements in Wear OS, and the distinct benefits that set the Amazfit Balance apart from its competitors. Unlike many other popular smartwatches, the Amazfit Balance does not operate on the Wear OS platform. Nevertheless, it excels in almost every category, including design, battery life, health tracking, and overall user experience. Its impressive longevity and unique features contribute to its superior performance, making it a standout choice compared to other smartwatches. The author’s extensive hands-on experience adds further credibility to their praise for the Amazfit Balance, highlighting why it stands out in an often crowded and competitive field.
