Fitbit Charge 6 vs Amazfit Active: Breaking down the differences

In this comparison piece we pit the Fitbit Charge 6 against the Amazfit Active. These two stand out as two notable entries in the wearable space, launched in September and October 2023 respectively. In fact, Charge 6 is the only new hardware dished out by Fitbit in 2023. Zepp Health, on the other hand, has been quite busy with a slew of releases over the past 12 months.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Read on for a detailed side-by-side look into the Fitbit Charge 6 and Amazfit Active. We explore their functionalities, design, and overall user experience.

Key takeaways

The Fitbit Charge 6 is for those that prefer the activity tracker look. The device comes full to the bring with health tracking features so is a great choice for that segment of the market. Amazfit Active offers a more smartwatch-like experience with its larger AMOLED display. However, while it offers plenty, it does not go as far as the Fitbit in terms of the range of fitness and health features. The advantages it it does have are built-in storage for music and longer battery life. Price-wise, there’s little difference between the two.

View on Amazfit; View on Amazon (Fitbit Charge 6; Amazfit Active).

Jump to

Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Amazfit Active: Hardware

Design & display

The Fitbit Charge 6 and Amazfit Active, each with their unique design ethos, cater to varied aesthetic preferences. The Fitbit Charge 6 showcases a sleek, rectangular shape, embodying a modern and streamlined look that appeals to users who favor a more traditional fitness band appearance. Its build, comprising 100% recycled aluminum, speaks to an environmentally conscious and quality-focused approach. The use of aerospace-grade aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 not only ensures durability but also keeps the device lightweight, enhancing the comfort for all-day wear.

On the other hand, the Amazfit Active diverges with its square design, leaning towards a more contemporary and tech-forward style. This choice might resonate more with users who prefer a smartwatch-like appearance. The build materials vary between aluminum alloy and plastic, with certain variants like the Lavender Purple featuring a combination of stainless steel and plastic. This mix of materials in the Amazfit Active offers a balance between robustness and a distinct aesthetic appeal.

When it comes to physical buttons, both devices maintain a minimalist approach with just one button, ensuring ease of use while maintaining their sleek profiles. This design choice reflects a trend in wearable tech towards simplicity and user-friendly interfaces.

Display, colour options, water-resistance

The display is another aspect where these devices differentiate. The Fitbit Charge 6 boasts an AMOLED screen, known for its vibrant colors and sharpness, enhancing the user experience especially under various lighting conditions. The Amazfit Active also features an AMOLED display, but a much larger one with a higher resolution.

Color options in both models allow for personalization and style expression. The Fitbit Charge 6 offers choices like Obsidian, Porcelain, and Coral, providing users with options to match their personal style or mood. The Amazfit Active, with its color variants like Midnight Black, Petal Pink, and Lavender Purple, caters to a wide range of tastes, from classic to more playful and vibrant.

In terms of water resistance, both devices are well-equipped to handle exposure to water. The Fitbit Charge 6 comes with a water-resistance rating of 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and showering. The Amazfit Active matches this with its own 5 ATM rating, ensuring durability and reliability in all conditions.

Sensor technology

As far as sensor technology, the duo offers a wide range of functionalities. The Charge 6 features a 3-axis accelerometer, an optical heart rate monitor, a Pulse Ox sensor, multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG and EDA Scan apps, and an ambient light sensor. However, it lacks an altimeter for stairs tracking and continuous EDA monitoring, unlike its big brother – the Fitbit Sense 2.

In contrast, the Amazfit Active includes the BioTracker PPG for health monitoring and adds a geomagnetic sensor and a temperature sensor, which are absent in its counterpart, the Amazfit Active Edge. It also features a gyroscope sensor for additional movement tracking data. Both devices offer robust GPS connectivity, but the Amazfit Active stands out with its circularly-polarized GPS antenna, potentially providing more accurate and stable tracking.

NFC capabilities differ between the two, with the Charge 6 supporting NFC for payments, while the Amazfit Active lacks this feature. However, the Amazfit Active compensates by offering up to 250MB of music storage, allowing users to store and play music directly from the device, a feature not available in the Charge 6. This makes the Amazfit Active more appealing for users who value music storage and playback capabilities in their fitness device.

Battery life

The Fitbit Charge 6, maintaining the brand’s reputation for efficient power management, provides up to 7 days of usage or up to 5 hours with GPS activated. This balance between longevity and performance is ideal for regular users who don’t want the hassle of frequent charging.

On the other hand, the Amazfit Active pushes the boundaries with a remarkable 14 days of battery life in normal mode, extending to 30 days in a limited functionality mode. For those relying heavily on GPS, the Amazfit Active offers 26 hours of accuracy GPS mode. This extended battery life is a significant advantage for users who prioritize less frequent charging and longer usage periods, especially during extended outdoor activities or travel.

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Amazfit Active: Technical specs

Here’s a detailed tech specs comparison table for the Fitbit Charge 6 and Amazfit Active:

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Amazfit Active: Features

The Charge 6, leveraging Google’s enhanced algorithms, provides a significant boost in heart rate tracking accuracy, particularly during vigorous activities. This precision is a boon for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who rely on accurate heart rate data to optimize their workouts. Additionally, the Charge 6 supports ECG and EDA Scan apps, offering insights into heart health and stress levels. Plus, the Charge 6 expands its fitness tracking repertoire with 20 new workout modes as compared to its predecessor, including high-intensity options like HIIT, CrossFit, and skiing, catering to a diverse range of physical activities. Beyond that there are certain performance-type features such as Training Readiness and an estimation of your Vo2Max.

The Amazfit Active does not boast the same level of heart rate tracking refinement as the Charge 6, it holds its own in providing essential health metrics. The device also offers a comprehensive suite of health monitoring features, including 24-hour heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation, and stress level monitoring, along with sleep quality tracking.

A notable distinction is the Charge 6’s ability to broadcast heart rate data to third-party fitness equipment via Bluetooth. This feature enhances the device’s utility, especially for users who incorporate various equipment in their fitness routine.

Both devices offer GPS functionality for accurate distance and pace tracking, essential for outdoor fitness enthusiasts. However, the Amazfit Active’s circularly-polarized GPS antenna might provide a slight edge in GPS tracking accuracy.

Smartwatch-type features

Moving beyond health and fitness, the smartwatch features of these devices reveal their distinct approaches. The Fitbit Charge 6, with its integration into Google’s ecosystem, offers functionalities like Google Wallet for NFC payments and Google Maps integration for navigation. These features, along with the ability to control YouTube Music, position the Charge 6 as a more connected and versatile lifestyle device, although it lacks native music storage.

The Amazfit Active, while not as deeply integrated with a specific ecosystem, still offers valuable smartwatch features. Its standout feature is the 250MB of music storage, allowing users to carry their favorite tunes directly on the device. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who prefer to leave their phone behind during workouts. However, the absence of NFC for contactless payments and limited integration with third-party apps compared to the Charge 6 might be a drawback for some users.

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Amazfit Active: Price

In terms of pricing, the Fitbit Charge 6 and Amazfit Active are positioned closely. The Fitbit Charge 6 is priced at around $160, a cost that aligns with its advanced health tracking features. The Amazfit Active, slightly more affordable at $150, offers a compelling alternative with its broad sensor array and music storage capability.

The Fitbit Charge 6 offers an additional layer of functionality through its premium subscription service, providing users with in-depth analytics, personalized insights, and exclusive workouts. This subscription enhances the user experience by offering more detailed health and fitness data, tailored to individual goals and needs. In contrast, the Amazfit Active does not have a similar premium subscription model, focusing instead on providing a comprehensive set of features accessible to all users without additional costs.

Fitbit Charge 6 vs Amazfit Active: Final thoughts

It’s clear that both devices cater to slightly different segments of the wearable market, each with its own set of strengths. The Fitbit Charge 6, with its refined health tracking capabilities, enhanced heart rate accuracy, and integration with Google’s ecosystem, is a standout choice for fitness enthusiasts who value detailed health metrics and smartwatch functionalities. Its support for ECG and EDA Scan apps further bolsters its position as a top-tier health and fitness tracker.

The Amazfit Active, on the other hand, offers a more smartwatch-like experience with its larger AMOLED display and built-in music storage, appealing to those who prioritize multimedia features and a longer battery life. While it may not match the Fitbit in the breadth of health and fitness features, it holds its own with comprehensive health monitoring and a robust set of sensors. Its design and build cater to those who prefer a more contemporary look and a device that can function independently for music playback.

View on Amazfit; View on Amazon (Fitbit Charge 6; Amazfit Active).

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