The stealthy arrival of Amazfit Active: A closer look
The Amazfit Active has quietly appeared on AliExpress and a few other retail platforms, prompting a closer examination. As an apparent successor to the GTR 4, this device brings some notable design changes and a suite of features worth dissecting.
The Amazfit Active’s presence on retail platforms prior to its official launch by Zepp Health is an unconventional turn of events. It follows the recent release of Amazfit Balance, which appears to be an upgrade to the GTS 4. Active appears to be the GTR 5, and as its name implies, clearly designed to suit an active lifestyle.
Amazfit Active: Rich in features
Hardware
Its slight design departure from the GTR 4 is the replacement of the rotating crown with a flat physical button. This hints at a streamlined, user-focused interface. This shift likely targets ease of use without compromising the watch’s aesthetic appeal.
The device sports a 1.75-inch HD AMOLED display with a 73% screen-to-body ratio. It allows users to select from over 100 customizable watch faces, offering a versatile canvas for individual expression. Notably, the watch is light, weighing just 24 grams, and has a metallic frame with a silicon strap that is rated 5 ATM for water-resistance. These features point to a careful balance of comfort and durability.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
On the battery front, Amazfit Active is engineered for longevity. With two weeks of battery life under typical conditions, and up to 30 days in battery saver mode, it provides a versatile range of options depending on usage patterns. In heavy usage and continuous GPS mode, the device can last 10 and 16 hours respectively.
Features
Perhaps one of the watch’s most intricate features are its health tracking capabilities. It is loaded with sensors that monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress, skin temperature, breathing quality and sleep metrics. For those who are keenly aware of their fitness and well-being, the device offers a ‘Readiness’ score, ranging from 0 to 100. This aggregated metric offers an intuitive summary of one’s physical and mental state. It is based on parameters like resting heart rate and sleep HRV.
In addition to health metrics, the Amazfit Active offers advanced training tools. In addition to coaching plans, users can create personalised training plans through the Zepp app, which can be synced to the watch. This customization extends to tracking interval training and nine other sports activities, emphasizing its role as a versatile fitness companion.
The device also extends its utility beyond its native ecosystem. It enables data syncing with third-party applications such as Adidas Running, Strava, and Google Fit. Furthermore, users can navigate maps and store music directly on the watch and manage phone calls via Bluetooth, enhancing its standalone capabilities. That’s coupled with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant and ability to answer incoming calls or dial outgoing calls via a connected smartphone.
Availability, release date
Priced just over $150 on AliExpress, with a 19% discount, the timepiece comes in two colour choices: Midnight Black and Pedal Pink. The delivery timelines are variable, listed by some sites as October 27th, while others suggest early November.
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