Six key differences between Amazfit Balance 2 vs XT

Amazfit Balance 2 landed just a couple of months ago with a stronger build, a brighter screen and a bunch of software additions. Now a follow-up model has emerged, called Balance 2 XT, and it already has a full listing on Best Buy in the US.

The listing reveals specs, press images and even a price. It doesn’t look like a next-gen upgrade. This appears to be a budget spin on the Balance 2, trimming a few features to hit a lower price point. Best Buy says it should be available by the end of July, so a formal launch is likely just around the corner.

Price is clearly the headline

Balance 2 XT comes in at $199, a full $100 below the $299 launch price of Balance 2. That’s a pretty big discount, and it tells you a lot about what this model is meant to be.

It’s not a successor in the traditional sense. XT doesn’t replace Balance 2, it sits below it. Same case, same screen, same Zepp OS, but a handful of features have been dropped or downgraded. For users who don’t need golf features, dual speakers or high storage, that trade-off might be worth it.

Some had hoped this would the the fancier Titanium version of Balance 2. But, no. It appears to be a budget edition.

Build takes a noticeable step down

Both models use a 47mm case and the overall shape and button layout haven’t changed. In fact, you can hardly tell the difference between them. But XT comes in at under 42 grams, which makes it lighter on the wrist. The exact weight is yet to be confirmed.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Part of the reason for that drop in weight is the change in materials. Balance 2 shipped with sapphire glass over the display. XT doesn’t have that. Presumably the glass has been swapped for something cheaper like tempered or Gorilla Glass, but it’s not sapphire. That’s going to matter for people using this for outdoor sports or in harsher environments.

Water resistance gets scaled back

Another area where Balance 2 had made gains was water resistance. It upped the rating to 10 ATM, and added a scuba diving workout mode to match. XT dials that back down to 5 ATM.

That means it will still handle swimming, but without the extra diving profile. It also loses the more rugged appeal. XT doesn’t appear to be targeting the same outdoorsy crowd. And its not going the have the 6 military certifications of its predecessor.

Golf tracking has been removed

Amazfit Balance 2 was the first Zepp Health watch to offer native golf features. It included support for golf course layouts and shot tracking. Balance 2 XT drops that entirely.

That will matter if golf is part of your regular fitness routine. For everyone else, it probably won’t be missed. But it is another sign that this device was built with cost-cutting in mind.

Audio is dialed back to basics

One of the smaller refinements on Balance 2 was its dual-speaker setup. It helps with clearer phone calls, voice feedback and media playback. XT cuts that down to a single speaker.

Microphone support is still listed, so voice input should be intact. But don’t expect the same clarity or volume if you’re using the watch to take calls on the go.

Internal storage is much less

Balance 2 surprised everyone by packing in 32GB of internal storage. That’s more than many premium smartwatches. XT slashes that to 4GB.

That will affect how much music or offline data you can carry on the watch. There’s still enough space for a few apps and maybe some offline playlists, but it’s a clear limitation. A bit like what you get on Active 2. If you rely on offline maps or store large files, the difference will be noticeable.

Our takeaway

Balance 2 XT isn’t trying to compete with its sibling on features. It trims weight, dials back on build quality and skips premium additions like golf tracking and extra memory. But it still delivers the core experience of Zepp OS, the same display and health-tracking foundation as the Balance 2, and all for $100 less.

As a value play, it makes sense. But if you want the most complete version of what Zepp Health is offering right now, Balance 2 still holds that title.

We’ll update this article with any new details when Zepp Health makes it official.

Source: Best Buy via Reddit, Amazfit Discord Group

Amazfit Balance 2 XT vs Balance 2: Tech specs comparison

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