Amazfit Balance vs Cheetah Pro: side-by-side comparison
Here we are with another side-by-side comparison. This time, we’re pitting the Amazfit Balance against the Cheetah Pro and its lower-spec sibling, the Cheetah (Round). These three devices have made their mark in 2023, each bringing its own unique flair to the scene.
Launched in September, the Amazfit Balance is designed to be a lifestyle companion that guides you towards a balanced life – a true Jack of all trades in the wearable world. On the other side of the ring, or rather, the track, we have the Amazfit Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round), introduced in June. These devices represent Zepp Health’s venture into dedicated running smartwatches, and they certainly make an impact. Equipped with cutting-edge GPS technology and AI coaching, these watches are akin to having a personal trainer and navigator combined into one sleek package.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
In this article, we’ll dive into the details of these three devices. It’s a showdown of finesse versus functionality, style versus substance. The remaining questions are: which one will come out on top, and which, if any, is the right choice for you?
Key takeaways
The Amazfit Balance is an all-rounder smartwatch, ideal for those seeking a blend of health tracking and lifestyle features, including unique offerings like Zepp Pay and body composition measurements. The Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round) are tailored for runners, with advanced GPS, personalized training plans, and detailed running metrics, though they lack lifestyle features like contactless payments. Price-wise, the Balance and Cheetah (Round) are more budget-friendly at $230, while the Cheetah Pro, at $300, offers a premium build.
View on Amazfit; View on Amazon (Amazfit Balance, Amazfit Cheetah Pro, Amazfit Cheetah (Round)).
Jump to
Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line
Amazfit Balance vs Cheetah Pro: Hardware
Design & display
When it comes to design, the Amazfit Balance, Cheetah Pro, and Cheetah (Round) share a common aesthetic – the classic circular look that blends traditional watch elegance with modern smartwatch functionality. This design choice speaks to those who appreciate a timeless style, but with the perks of contemporary technology.
Starting with the Amazfit Balance, its design is sleek and unassuming, making it suitable for both fitness buffs and casual wearers. The device features an aluminum alloy middle frame and a fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell, striking a balance between durability and comfort. Its 1.5-inch AMOLED display, protected by tempered glass with an anti-fingerprint coating, offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals. Water-resistance is robust at 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and rain. Color options like Midnight and Sunset Grey, coupled with its comfortable straps, add to its versatile appeal.
The Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round), while similar in shape, have subtle differences in build and style. The Cheetah Pro boasts a premium titanium alloy bezel, giving it a more robust and elegant feel, ideal for serious runners who don’t want to compromise on style. Its 1.45-inch AMOLED display ensures clarity and brightness, essential for outdoor activities. The Cheetah (Round) opts for a more classic approach with a fiber-reinforced polymer body. It features a slightly smaller 1.39-inch AMOLED screen but maintains the same resolution and clarity as its Pro counterpart. Both models are 5 ATM water-resistant and offer color choices that cater to different tastes, with the Pro in Run Track Black and the Round in Speedster Grey. Their straps, made from durable materials like nylon for Cheetah Pro and liquid silicone for its sibling, ensure comfort and longevity.
In essence- although all three devices share a similar circular design, each has its unique strengths. The Balance as a versatile lifestyle companion, the Cheetah Pro as a premium, feature-rich option for serious runners, and the Cheetah (Round) as a reliable and stylish everyday smartwatch.
Sensor technology
Underneath their stylish exteriors, these watches pack a punch with advanced technology and sensors.
The Amazfit Balance is equipped with the BioTracker™ 5.0 PPG biometric sensor, offering detailed health monitoring including heart rate and blood oxygen levels. It also includes a variety of other sensors like a 3-axis acceleration sensor, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, and more, making it a comprehensive tool for health and fitness tracking. NFC for contactless payments and dual-band GPS for accurate location tracking further enhance its utility.
The Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round) focus heavily on GPS functionality, featuring advanced dual-band positioning and support for six satellite systems, ensuring precise tracking especially in urban environments. They are equipped with the predecessor generation BioTracker™ PPG biometric sensor for health monitoring, but with an added emphasis on running metrics. Also, there’s no NFC for contactless payments.
Battery life
The Amazfit Balance, Cheetah Pro, and Cheetah (Round) have comparable battery lives in typical usage, each offering up to 14 days. However, in specialized modes, differences emerge. The Balance and Cheetah models extend up to 24 days in Battery Saver Mode. The Cheetah (Round) and Pro excel with a 45-day Clock Mode battery life, surpassing the Balance. For GPS-intensive usage, the Cheetah models offer more options, with up to 54 hours in Power Saving GPS Mode, compared to the Balance’s 26 hours, making them more suitable for extended outdoor activities.
Amazfit Balance vs Cheetah Pro: Technical specs
Let’s delve into the technical specifications of the Amazfit Balance, Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round) to compare their features and capabilities in detail.
Specification | Amazfit Balance | Cheetah Pro | Cheetah (Round) |
|---|---|---|---|
Case Material | Aluminum alloy middle frame, Fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell | Titanium alloy bezel, Fiber-reinforced polymer middle frame | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
Number of Physical Buttons | 2 (including the crown) | 2 (including the crown) | 2 (including the crown) |
Size | 46 x 46 x 10.6 mm | 47 x 47 x 11.8mm | 46.7 x 46.7 x 11.9 mm |
Display Type | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels | 480 x 480 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
Screen Size | 1.5 inch | 1.45 inch | 1.39 inch |
Weight (without strap) | 35 grams | 34 grams | 32 grams |
Sensors | BioTracker 5.0 PPG biometric sensor (8PD + 2LED), BIA Bioelectric Impedance Sensor, 3-axis acceleration sensor, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic sensor, Air pressure sensor, Temperature sensor, Ambient light sensor | BioTracker 4.0 PPG biometric sensor (supports blood-oxygen), Acceleration sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Barometric altimeter, Ambient light sensor | BioTracker 4.0 PPG biometric sensor (supports blood-oxygen), Acceleration sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Barometric altimeter, Ambient light sensor |
Water-resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Positioning | Circularly-polarized GPS antenna, Dual-band positioning, 6 satellite positioning systems | Circularly-polarized GPS antenna, Dual-band positioning, 6 satellite positioning systems | Circularly-polarized GPS antenna, Dual-band positioning, 6 satellite positioning systems |
Built-in speaker | Yes | Yes | No |
NFC | Yes | No | No |
Connection | WLAN 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0 & BLE | WLAN 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Battery Type | 475mAh LiPo, Magnetic, 2-pin pogo pin charging | 440 mAh (rated value), Magnetic charging base | 440 mAh (rated value), Magnetic charging |
Battery Life | 14 days in normal mode. 24 days in Battery Saver Mode, 26 hours in Accuracy GPS Mode. | Typical Usage: Up to 14 days, Battery Saver: Up to 24 days, Clock Mode: Up to 45 days, Heavy Usage: Up to 7 days, Accuracy GPS: Up to 26 hours, Automatic GPS: Up to 44 hours, Power Saving GPS: Up to 54 hours | Typical Usage: Up to 14 days, Battery Saver: Up to 24 days, Clock Mode: Up to 45 days, Heavy Usage: Up to 7 days, Accuracy GPS: Up to 26 hours, Automatic GPS: Up to 44 hours, Power Saving GPS: Up to 54 hours |
Colors | Midnight, Sunset Grey | Run Track Black (Titanium Alloy Bezel) | Speedster Grey |
Typical RRP | starting at $229.99 | starting at $299.99 | starting at $229.99 |
Amazfit Balance vs Cheetah Pro: Features
The Amazfit Balance, Cheetah Pro, and Cheetah (Round) may share a similar design language, but when it comes to functionality, they each cater to different user needs and preferences.
Amazfit Balance: The Versatile Lifestyle Companion
The Balance stands out with its unique features tailored for a comprehensive lifestyle experience. A key differentiator is Zepp Pay, allowing for contactless payments – a boon for those who prefer the convenience of a wallet-free lifestyle. Running on the latest Zepp OS 3, the Balance offers a broader range of downloadable apps and enhanced smartphone compatibility, making for a more integrated user experience.
Two notable features of the Balance are its Readiness Score and Body Composition Measurement. Neither of these can be found on the Cheetah watches.
The Readiness Score provides insights into your physical and mental readiness, helping you decide whether to push your limits or take a day off. The Body Composition Measurement tracks crucial health metrics, although it’s worth noting that these measurements are primarily from the upper body, given the watch’s wrist-based placement.
Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round): Tailored for Runners
The Cheetah range is specifically designed with runners in mind. While lacking the Zepp Pay feature, these watches compensate with advanced running-focused functionalities. They run on the previous generation of the Zepp operating system and heart rate sensor technology but excel in GPS accuracy and running analytics.
The Zepp Running Coach is a standout feature, offering personalized training plans that adapt weekly based on your performance and progress. The GPS technology in these watches has been fine-tuned for precision, crucial for runners who rely on accurate tracking. Additionally, the Cheetah range delves deep into running metrics, providing comprehensive data like VO2Max, real-time performance scores, Recovery Time, Training Load, and Training Effect – metrics that the Balance does not offer in the same depth.
Both the Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round) support music storage, offline maps, route navigation, and the ability to connect to external heart rate monitors, similar to the Balance. The primary difference between the Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round) lies in the build quality and the inclusion of voice speaker/mic support in the Pro model, enhancing its functionality for hands-free use.
Amazfit Balance vs Cheetah Pro: Price
When it comes to pricing, the Amazfit Balance and Cheetah (Round) are positioned at a more accessible price point of $230, making them attractive options for those seeking a blend of functionality and affordability. The Cheetah Pro, priced at $300, sits at a higher bracket, justified by its premium build.
Amazfit Balance vs Cheetah Pro: Final thoughts
As we wrap up this comparison, it’s clear that Zepp Health’s Amazfit Balance, Cheetah Pro, and Cheetah (Round) each cater to distinct segments of the smartwatch market. The Amazfit Balance, with its lifestyle-centric features like Zepp Pay and the unique Readiness Score and Body Composition Measurement, is a versatile choice for those who seek a smartwatch that blends health tracking with everyday convenience. Its use of the latest Zepp OS 3 also adds a layer of sophistication in terms of app compatibility and overall user experience.
On the other hand, the Cheetah Pro and Cheetah (Round) are unapologetically runner-focused, offering features that resonate with the athletic community. Their advanced GPS technology and the inclusion of Zepp Running Coach make them ideal for those who value precision and personalized training. While they lack some of the lifestyle features of the Balance, such as contactless payments, they make up for it with their specialized running metrics and training tools. The Cheetah Pro, with its higher price point, offers additional perks like a more durable build and voice speaker/mic support, catering to those who are willing to invest in a more premium running companion.
View on Amazfit; View on Amazon (Amazfit Balance, Amazfit Cheetah Pro, Amazfit Cheetah (Round)).
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