This collaborative space allows users to contribute additional information, tips, and insights to enhance the original deal post. Feel free to share your knowledge and help fellow shoppers make informed decisions.
The Amazfit Balance 2 is $100 cheaper and has more features than the Garmin with the same battery life and a better screen. If you want "more accurate" data and a more mature ecosystem, then Garmin. If you don't mind being 1 bpm off or 1' off more using the GPS, and like being able to text/call from your watch, among other features that Garmin is missing, then pick Amazfit.
Now we're talking. Been waiting for a reasonable deal on a newer fenix to upgrade my 6 for a LONG time. Been seeing "deals" like the older gen 7 non solar for like $450-500 for months.
The Amazfit Balance 2 is $100 cheaper and has more features than the Garmin with the same battery life and a better screen. If you want "more accurate" data and a more mature ecosystem, then Garmin. If you don't mind being 1 bpm off or 1' off more using the GPS, and like being able to text/call from your watch, among other features that Garmin is missing, then pick Amazfit.
I looked at amazfit's for a while, specifically the T Rex 3, before settling on a Fenix 7X Pro myself. It seems the consensus is that amazfit is like 80% of the way there from a software standpoint, but misses on accuracy and consistency often enough to drive away the customers that really seriously care about their health tracking and reliability of features like offline maps. I very nearly bought an amazfit to save the money but after watching many videos from the people who assess these devices for a living (like DC Rainmaker and others) it really seems like Amazfit is cosplaying as an outdoors/fitness watch more than it really is one. People have said that even things as simple as the weather forecast app will frequently show the wrong location/town or not update throughout the day, and that's been a problem for years that Zepp/Amazfit hasn't addressed.
I personally plan to have my 7X Pro for years, so I didn't feel like saving 300 bucks was worth the potential headache, but for some people that trade off might make more sense. The balance 2 seems to be Amazfit's best watch yet and I hope they keep improving to really put some real competition in this space, but Garmin is the top dog in the market for a reason, unfortunately. And considering you can get a 7X Pro Solar Sapphire on this deal for a bit more than $450 shipped, that's an absolute no brainer over spending $300 on a Balance 2, imo.
I had it in my cart and hit the back button because I couldn't decide what color to get and the price had changed to $808, luckily was still able to checkout with the one I had in my cart at the price. Great deal! Hopefully I'm happy with the titanium color (and the order doesn't get cancelled)... I just couldn't handle the lack of touch screen on my forerunner, and the ECG, flashlight, maps & solar are also great upgrades.
Like
Helpful
Funny
Not helpful
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I looked at amazfit's for a while, specifically the T Rex 3, before settling on a Fenix 7X Pro myself. It seems the consensus is that amazfit is like 80% of the way there from a software standpoint, but misses on accuracy and consistency often enough to drive away the customers that really seriously care about their health tracking and reliability of features like offline maps. I very nearly bought an amazfit to save the money but after watching many videos from the people who assess these devices for a living (like DC Rainmaker and others) it really seems like Amazfit is cosplaying as an outdoors/fitness watch more than it really is one. People have said that even things as simple as the weather forecast app will frequently show the wrong location/town or not update throughout the day, and that's been a problem for years that Zepp/Amazfit hasn't addressed.
I personally plan to have my 7X Pro for years, so I didn't feel like saving 300 bucks was worth the potential headache, but for some people that trade off might make more sense. The balance 2 seems to be Amazfit's best watch yet and I hope they keep improving to really put some real competition in this space, but Garmin is the top dog in the market for a reason, unfortunately. And considering you can get a 7X Pro Solar Sapphire on this deal for a bit more than $450 shipped, that's an absolute no brainer over spending $300 on a Balance 2, imo.
Well, consider that every Amazfit aside from the Trex has been priced under $150, while encompassing most of what you mention here.
That said, the Trex sucks. That's not where they shine. They shine in the "everyday use" category. Apple/Samsung or any wearOS watch cannot compare just from the battery perspective alone. Ecosystem wise, sure, they are much better than Amazfit, but are still barely matured ecosystems. Garmins ecosystem is, well, done. But the lack of innovation and high price tag guarding of what I would consider "basic features" makes Garmin a hard sell.
So the Balance 2 brings it all together for Amazfit at a MSRP of $299. It will be on sale like all their other watches frequently. It literally came out less than a week ago. While the Garmins are nice, in 3-4 years I'm going to want a new watch anyway, no matter what I pay today. I've had my current Amazfit for 2 years and it's served me quite well in my snowboarding seasons. Accuracy is fine for me, but I'm not a 1% athlete training for the Iron Man Marathon Decathalon Snowboarding World Cup Championship, where I'd get a sponsored watch anyway. That said - the new Amazfit Balance 2 + the Helio Strap is meant to target exactly these people with much more accurate data sets. Arguably more accurate than Garmin. $299 + $100 for the Helio makes it the same price as this watch, which is either a mistake in pricing or one of the steepest discounts ever seen on it. So the value on the Amazfit ecosystem could be argued is exceeding Garmin at this point. I would assume we will see a new Trex offered soon to replace the 3, that will also push the envelope. Amazfit also offers open app development of ZeppOS with their developer platform. The pieces needed for maturity, quality of product, and price point are all extremely competitive. Samsung/Apple/Garmin better watch out.
The only thing I'd like to see is ECG on the Amazfit, which it's on there....but USA regulations have prevented Amazfit from being able to enable it.
Leave a Comment
22 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Thanks OP.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I personally plan to have my 7X Pro for years, so I didn't feel like saving 300 bucks was worth the potential headache, but for some people that trade off might make more sense. The balance 2 seems to be Amazfit's best watch yet and I hope they keep improving to really put some real competition in this space, but Garmin is the top dog in the market for a reason, unfortunately. And considering you can get a 7X Pro Solar Sapphire on this deal for a bit more than $450 shipped, that's an absolute no brainer over spending $300 on a Balance 2, imo.
Coupon code MERICA applied — 13% off eligible items of $808.99: You save $105.17!
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I personally plan to have my 7X Pro for years, so I didn't feel like saving 300 bucks was worth the potential headache, but for some people that trade off might make more sense. The balance 2 seems to be Amazfit's best watch yet and I hope they keep improving to really put some real competition in this space, but Garmin is the top dog in the market for a reason, unfortunately. And considering you can get a 7X Pro Solar Sapphire on this deal for a bit more than $450 shipped, that's an absolute no brainer over spending $300 on a Balance 2, imo.
That said, the Trex sucks. That's not where they shine. They shine in the "everyday use" category. Apple/Samsung or any wearOS watch cannot compare just from the battery perspective alone. Ecosystem wise, sure, they are much better than Amazfit, but are still barely matured ecosystems. Garmins ecosystem is, well, done. But the lack of innovation and high price tag guarding of what I would consider "basic features" makes Garmin a hard sell.
So the Balance 2 brings it all together for Amazfit at a MSRP of $299. It will be on sale like all their other watches frequently. It literally came out less than a week ago. While the Garmins are nice, in 3-4 years I'm going to want a new watch anyway, no matter what I pay today. I've had my current Amazfit for 2 years and it's served me quite well in my snowboarding seasons. Accuracy is fine for me, but I'm not a 1% athlete training for the Iron Man Marathon Decathalon Snowboarding World Cup Championship, where I'd get a sponsored watch anyway. That said - the new Amazfit Balance 2 + the Helio Strap is meant to target exactly these people with much more accurate data sets. Arguably more accurate than Garmin. $299 + $100 for the Helio makes it the same price as this watch, which is either a mistake in pricing or one of the steepest discounts ever seen on it. So the value on the Amazfit ecosystem could be argued is exceeding Garmin at this point. I would assume we will see a new Trex offered soon to replace the 3, that will also push the envelope. Amazfit also offers open app development of ZeppOS with their developer platform. The pieces needed for maturity, quality of product, and price point are all extremely competitive. Samsung/Apple/Garmin better watch out.
The only thing I'd like to see is ECG on the Amazfit, which it's on there....but USA regulations have prevented Amazfit from being able to enable it.
Leave a Comment