Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Balance: What’s the difference?

Zepp Health has been doing well with its smartwatch range. The company is gaining market share and is narrowing the gap with the likes of Garmin as far as features, but with devices that are much less expensive. Two of its most high-specs devices include the Amazfit T-Rex 3 and Amazfit Balance. They landed September 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

These watches share a lot of similarities, but there are also a few important difference that set them apart. This comparison will explore all of this and more.  

Key takeaways

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 excels in durability and battery life, making it ideal for extreme conditions and long-term use. The Amazfit Balance offers a more budget-friendly alternative with practical features like a built-in speaker and body composition analysis. Choose the T-Rex 3 for high performance and ruggedness, or the Balance for a sleek design and essential smartwatch functions.

View on Amazfit; View on Amazon (T-Rex 3, Balance).

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Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Price
Bottom line

Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Balance: Hardware

Look & feel

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 and Amazfit Balance both offer a circular design. However, the T-Rex 3 distinguishes itself with its unique octagonal shape around the display, reflecting its rugged outdoor orientation. After all, this is a device that is competing against the likes of the Garmin Fenix range and Apple Watch Ultra.

The build materials also reflect their design intentions. The T-Rex 3 uses a high-strength polymer middle frame paired with a stainless steel bezel, back panel, bridge, and buttons, making it suitable for extreme conditions and adding a rugged touch. In contrast, the Balance features an aluminum alloy middle frame with a fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell, offering a sleek and lightweight feel that complements its slimmer profile.

Going by just the build alone, the T-Rex 3 is for the masculine types. With a 48mm diameter, iIt will probably look out of place on someone with a slim wrist. They are better off going with Amazfit Balance which has a 46 diameter face.

When it comes to physical buttons, the T-Rex 3 is equipped with four buttons, providing more tactile control and versatility in navigating the watch’s features. In this sense it mirrors sports watches.

The Balance, however, has only two buttons, which may simplify the design but could potentially limit the use for certain functions. However, one of the two buttons is a rotating crown which adds an element of ease when scrolling through the menus.

Display, colour options, water resistance

The display technology is similar in the two models, featuring a 1.5-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels. The T-Rex 3, however, boasts higher peak brightness at 2000 nits compared to the Balance’s 1500 nits, making it better suited for visibility in bright conditions. Both screens offer vibrant colors and sharp text, but the T-Rex 3’s higher brightness provides an edge in direct sunlight. It is also the only of the two with a special Glove Mode for interacting with the display.

Water resistance is another thing that varies between the two watches. The T-Rex 3 is rated at 10 ATM, meaning it can handle more extreme conditions such as freediving up to 147 feet, making it ideal for underwater activities. The Balance, with a 5 ATM rating, is more suited to everyday water exposure, including swimming of course.

Color options further distinguish the two models. The T-Rex 3 is available in Onyx and Lava, reflecting a more rugged and outdoorsy aesthetic. The Balance offers a choice between Midnight and Sunset Grey.

Sensor technology

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 and Amazfit Balance both come equipped with advanced sensor technology, though there are some slight differences between the two. Both models feature the BioTracker PPG biometric sensor, which is designed to provide comprehensive health monitoring, including heart rate tracking and blood oxygen levels. However, the T-Rex 3 does not specify the generation of its BioTracker sensor, while the Balance packs the latest version 5.0. That one also includes an additional BIA Bioelectric Impedance Sensor for measuring body composition.

In terms of positioning and connectivity, both watches support dual-band GPS and six satellite systems. Zepp Health is making strides in this tech and it is now on par with high-end sports watches. The duo also comes with NFC functionality for contactless payments and quick connectivity with other devices.

Regarding music storage, the T-Rex 3 offers a substantial 26GB capacity, allowing users to store a significant amount of music directly on the watch. In comparison, the Balance has a more limited music storage capacity of 2.3GB. Granted, as an outdoorsy watch the big memory capacity is probably there so that you have adequate space for storage of maps for offline use.

Battery life

As far as battery life, Zepp Health never struggle thanks to the company’s lightweight operating system.

The Amazfit T-Rex 3, however, has an edge. I packs a 700 mAh battery, which supports up to 27 days of typical use and up to 40 days in battery saver mode. For users requiring intensive tracking, such as GPS, it provides up to 42 hours in accuracy GPS mode. More than enough for those weekend getaways in remote locations.

The Amazfit Balance is equipped with a smaller 475 mAh battery. This keeps going up to 14 days with normal use and up to 24 days in battery saver mode. For activities involving GPS tracking, it offers up a respectable 26 hours of usage. While it doesn’t match the T-Rex 3 in terms of sheer battery longevity, the Balance still provides sufficient endurance for typical daily activities and moderate exercise routines.

If battery life is a major priority for you, though, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 is the clear winner. It offers nearly double the battery life of the Amazfit Balance in typical use.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Balance: Technical specs

Here’s a comparison table for the Amazfit T-Rex 3 and Amazfit Balance flagging up the most important specs.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Balance: Features

These watches spit out a comprehesive range of health and fitness features. All the basics are covered. As mentioned, their combination of sensors provides in-depth health monitoring. This includes advanced heart rate tracking, blood oxygen levels, and sleep analysis.

The T-Rex 3, however, supports a wider range of sports modes—over 170—allowing users to track specific workouts and activities in detail. Additionally, its rugged build and superior water resistance (10 ATM) make it particularly well-suited for outdoor and extreme sports, including freediving.

On the other hand, the Amazfit Balance throws a BIA Bioelectric Impedance Sensor in to the mix. This is used for body composition analysis, which includes metrics such as body fat percentage and muscle mass. However, don’t let this worry you if you have your eye on T-Rex 3. The BIA analysis is more a nice-to-have than a must-have. We wouldn’t put too much stock in its accuracy as even smart scales struggle with this type of data.

While Balance supports fewer sports modes—approximately 150—it does cover a broad range of activities suitable for most people. Its 5 ATM water resistance is adequate for everyday swimming and water-related activities but does not match the T-Rex 3’s capabilities for more extreme conditions.

Both watches excel in delivering detailed fitness tracking and health insights, but the T-Rex 3 offers more specialized features for users engaged in demanding physical activities, whereas the Balance provides a balanced approach.

Smartwatch-type features

In terms of smartwatch functionalities, there is little to separate the two devices. Both models support notifications for calls, messages, and various app alerts, ensuring users stay informed without needing to check their smartphones frequently. They also include NFC capabilities for contactless payments, allowing for transactions directly from the watch. Unfortunately, this is not as a complete solution as can be found in some other brands. Also, the payment feature only works in certain countries.

However, there is one key difference between the two models: the Amazfit Balance is equipped with a built-in speaker, enabling users to listen to notifications, alarms, and potentially answer calls with audio directly from the watch. This feature adds an extra layer of interactivity and convenience, particularly useful for those who prefer hands-free communication. In contrast, the T-Rex 3 lacks a built-in speaker.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Balance: Price

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is positioned as a high-end, feature-rich model. But you wouldn’t know this by looking at its $279.99 price tag. The Garmin Fenix range sells for more than three times this price! Granted, it has a few more features and slightly better build. However, a typical Garmin user does not use 95% of the features these watches have on offer.

The Amazfit Balance is even more budget-friendly, with a typical retail price of $229.99. While it still offers a solid range of features, such as NFC, dual-band GPS, and a decent battery life, its lower price point reflects its more streamlined design, smaller music storage capacity, and slightly reduced water resistance.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 vs Balance: Final thoughts

So what are we to make of all of this?

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 and Amazfit Balance both offer impressive set features, particularly when you take into consideration their prices. Zepp Health watches are definitely narrowing the gap with more high-end competition, and now have accurate heart rate sensors and excellent GPS connectivity.

The T-Rex 3 stands out with its rugged design, extensive battery life, and higher water resistance, making it an excellent choice for those who engage in extreme sports and need a durable companion. Its robust build and substantial music storage further enhance its appeal.

Conversely, the Amazfit Balance provides a more affordable option while still delivering solid functionality. It features a built-in speaker, which adds convenience for users who want to handle calls and notifications directly from their watch. Its lower price point, combined with features like body composition analysis and a sleek design, make it th echoice for those looking for a everyday smartwatch with essential fitness tracking capabilities. It is also a better fit for those with small wrists.

Buy if you prefer the Amazfit T-Rex 3: You need a rugged, high-performance smartwatch with superior battery life and water resistance for extreme conditions.

Buy if you prefer the Amazfit Balance: You want a more affordable smartwatch with a built-in speaker and comprehensive fitness tracking features, suitable for daily use and moderate activities.

View on Amazfit; View on Amazon (T-Rex 3, Balance).

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