Amazfit Balance 2 XT compared vs Balance 1: What’s actually new?

The Amazfit Balance 2 XT has landed in the US without any official fanfare. Best Buy is already selling it, and some buyers have received theirs. Strangely, Zepp Health still hasn’t acknowledged the watch publicly. But it will likely do so in the coming days.

We previously compared this device to the Balance 2. But how does it stack up against the original Amazfit Balance 1? That one has been around for a couple of years now.

Let’s dive straight in.

Design is updated but build quality takes a step down

The Balance 2 XT sticks with the 47mm case introduced on the Balance 2, making it a fraction larger than the 46mm original. The display is also upgraded. XT uses a 1.5-inch AMOLED panel with 2000 nits of brightness, compared to the Balance 1’s 1.5-inch screen that tops out at 1500 nits. Both offer the identical 480 by 480 resolution.

Where things also differ slightly is in build protection. Balance 1 used tempered glass, which holds up reasonably well to wear and tear. XT comes with mineral glass, which offers more scratch resistance. There have been user complains regarding the original device – that it is prone to scratching. So hopefully, this will offer better protection for such things.

XT has better internals but drops body composition

Under the surface, XT is closer to the Balance 2 than the Balance 1. Like its big brother, it swaps out the older BioTracker 5.0 sensor for the newer 6.0 version. This improves accuracy for heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking. You also get Zepp Health’s BioCharge Energy Monitoring system, which is missing from the Balance 1. More precisely, you will get it in the future – as the feature has not rolled out yet beyond the Helio Strap.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

One omission worth noting is the lack of a BIA sensor. The Balance 1 did include it, allowing for body composition analysis. XT drops this in favour of a more simplified design.

All watches in the Balance series support dual-band, six-system satellite positioning. The XT supports 170+ sports modes, up from 150+ on the original.

Battery life

Battery life is one of the standout aspects of the Balance line, and the XT keeps this reputation intact. The watch manages up to 21 days on a typical charge, which places it well ahead of most smartwatches in its price bracket. Even with frequent training sessions, sleep tracking and notifications enabled, users can comfortably go more than two weeks before reaching for the charger. For those willing to dial things back, the power saving mode stretches longevity even further, making it possible to take the watch on extended trips without worrying about a recharge.

Compared to the original Balance, which topped out at around 14 days, the XT’s endurance is a clear step up, matching the more expensive Balance 2.

Audio and connectivity get small upgrades

Both Balance 1 and XT offer a speaker and mic setup. This works for phone calls over Bluetooth and voice commands. Balance 2 takes it further with dual speakers, but the XT holds onto the basics. Connectivity is slightly better on XT, thanks to Bluetooth 5.2 versus 5.0 on the original.

Storage is unchanged between the two at 4GB. That gives you enough for offline music and maps, but far less than the 32GB found on the Balance 2.

XT benefits from longer support and newer software

Balance 2 XT also benefits from software support and a newer processor. The XT has features like adjustable text size and a double-tap zoom function. Zepp Flow also performs better here, thanks to updated firmware and newer hardware.

This is one of the clearest reasons to skip the original if you are buying now. Software support for Balance 1 will begin to fade, while XT is part of the current generation.

A better entry point if you don’t already own Balance 1

At $149.99, the Balance 1 remains a solid option. But for just $50 more, the Balance 2 XT gives you a a better sensor array, longer battery life and improved software features.

Upgrading from Balance 1 to XT is hard to justify. You lose body composition and don’t gain much else. But if you don’t already own either, and you don’t want to spend $299.99 on the Balance 2, the XT becomes the more sensible choice.

Check out current pricing and availability on the Zepp Health website.

Amazfit Balance 2 XT vs Balance 1: Tech specs comparison

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