Amazfit is probably not a family title, nevertheless it’s been crushing it within the price range smartwatch area for a very long time. And at CES 2025, the corporate is making an attempt to outdo itself with the $99 Amazfit Active 2.
I used to be a giant fan of the corporate’s GTR 4 watch — it wasn’t a looker, nevertheless it packed in an unbelievable quantity of worth for $200. I favored it a lot that it’s sat comfortably as the highest general choose in our health tracker shopping for information for 2 years. Compared to that watch, the Active 2 has much more performance for half that value.
It’s bought a vibrant 2,000 nit OLED show, upgraded well being sensors, revamped coronary heart charge and sleep algorithms, and the Zepp Flow AI assistant. There’s additionally a better power coaching mode that may auto-detect units, reps, and relaxation, offline maps with turn-by-turn instructions, and personalised coaching plans by way of the Zepp Coach integration. For individuals with durations, there’s additionally a mini app in collaboration with Wild.AI, which delivers food plan and train suggestions based mostly on hormonal and menstrual cycles all through an individual’s life (i.e., reproductive years, perimenopause, and menopause). The watch additionally works in tandem with the corporate’s not too long ago launched Helio sensible ring, much like how the Samsung Galaxy Ring optimizes sensor accuracy with its Galaxy Watches. European customers may also get contactless funds by way of Zepp Pay, a characteristic that was notably lacking from the GTR 4.
You nearly by no means discover this sort of characteristic set for underneath $250. It’s bonkers that you may get it for $100.
Amazfit’s Active line, which launched final 12 months, successfully replaces its well-liked GTR lineup (although you may nonetheless simply discover GTR 4 fashions on-line). Style-wise, you may see that in how the Active 2 switches from the unique Active’s sq., Apple Watch-esque design to a extra basic 44mm spherical watchface. The customary mannequin comes with a tempered glass display, stainless-steel case, and a 20mm silicone sport band. The premium mannequin prices $129 and upgrades the display to a extra sturdy sapphire glass and consists of an extra leather-based strap. Compared to the Active, the Active 2 additionally provides extra superior {hardware} like a barometer, a gyroscope, and an ambient gentle sensor. Battery life isn’t fairly nearly as good, dropping to 10 days with regular use in comparison with 14 days. (That mentioned, 10 days remains to be spectacular in comparison with the competitors.)
On paper, the Active 2 feels prefer it must have some type of catch. However, I’ve been sporting the premium Active 2 for the previous few days, and it’s fairly good. So far, efficiency has been zippy, it’s light-weight on the wrist, and I’ve already gotten a number of compliments from coworkers. Sometimes price range gadgets can look chintzy, and whereas nobody would mistake the Active 2 for a luxurious watch, it doesn’t look or really feel as low cost as a $100–$150 smartwatch might. I’m nonetheless testing out the well being and health options, however up to now, it’s held up effectively on a handful of treadmill runs, and within the final three days, I’ve solely used about 25 p.c battery. I want the touchscreen have been a bit extra responsive, nevertheless it’s nothing too egregious to date. It’s too early for me to make a definitive name on the Active 2, however up to now, it’s trying prefer it could possibly be a compelling choice for folk who desire a easier smartwatch with out breaking the financial institution.
