Balance Ultra, Balance 3 and Cheetah 2 Ultra get an outdoor feature boost

Amazfit Balance Ultra is receiving firmware version 6.2.104.6, a 20.06MB update that adds a new navigation view, automatic dive detection and Bluetooth speaker support. The same software package is also being distributed for the Amazfit Balance 3 and Cheetah 2 Ultra.

Three new features lead the update

Let’s start with the new “Advance Up” navigation view in the Map app. Zepp Health does not provide much explanation in the release notes, but the wording suggests a map orientation that keeps the direction of travel towards the top of the screen.

That should make routes easier to follow while running, hiking or cycling. It also fits nicely with the large displays found on these watches, particularly the Balance Ultra and Balance 3.

Global automatic dive detection has also been added for Diving workouts. Owners will no longer need to manually start the relevant activity every time they enter the water, although it remains to be seen how quickly the watch recognises the beginning and end of a dive.

The third new feature turns the watch into a Bluetooth speaker for phone audio. Once connected, media playing on the phone can be routed through the watch speaker.

Running and navigation get some attention

Zepp Health has also adjusted the Running Lactate Threshold algorithm. The company says the change should improve accuracy, although users may need several threshold runs before it becomes clear whether the resulting estimates have shifted.

This is a relevant change for the Amazfit Balance 3, which already offers a fairly deep collection of training and recovery features for its price. Better lactate threshold calculations would make those tools more useful to runners following structured plans.

Track Run mode has received a unit display adjustment for people using the imperial system. Oddly, the release notes state that distance-related information will continue to appear in metric units, so this does not sound like a complete conversion to miles.

The data carousel shown after pausing a workout has also been reordered. That is a small interface change, but it could reduce the amount of swiping needed to reach commonly checked workout information.

Navigation gets one more tweak when the user reaches a destination. Zepp Health says it has refined the interface on that screen, although it has not detailed exactly what has changed.

A shared update across the range

Distributing the same package across Balance Ultra, Balance 3 and Cheetah 2 Ultra makes sense. All three run Zepp OS 6 and share many of the same sports and mapping tools, even though Zepp Health positions them slightly differently.

The Cheetah 2 Ultra has received several substantial additions last month, including Zepp OS 6 and expanded HYROX features. Firmware 6.2.104.6 continues that pattern, but focuses more heavily on navigation and general usability.

This is not a huge update, but the feature mix is useful. Automatic dive detection broadens the outdoor credentials of all three watches, while the map view and lactate threshold changes should be more relevant to everyday training.