Balance 2

Switch from Apple Ultra Watch 2, etc. to Balance 2 XT. With Gadget Bridge and GrapheneOS, I’m very happy.

I switched from AW7 to the balance 2 I miss the extension that the Apple Watch was. Notifications aren’t fun anymore(can’t reply/respond to notifications) Also you know how if your phone is unlocked, the notifications don’t come up on watch and vice versa? With the amazfit, it will ring both phone and watch. Idk if you’d like it, I hated it so I switched off notifications Having said that, the fitness and sleep tracking I find to be much better and more helpful. It’s a great fitness watch. Not as much as a smartwatch that the Apple Watch is.

The closest I can think is an Amazfit - Garmin does the majority, but doesnt track post HR graph after a workout like Amazfit does. I've tested the Balance 2 and it seems a solid watch, my initial negative findings are; Navigation clunky for runners Sleep sometimes doesnt detect me awake until I stand up and sometimes puts me asleep if I struggle to fall asleep The hear rate zone alerts from training templates are only vibration (unlike the Zepp coach which actually givez you audible warnings - I have a ticket open with support on this one) Biocharge seems quite high if I've not ran that day, e.g. I can have 44 left right now even after 6hrs 50m sleep. Whereas Garmin body battery is at 21 - I don't feel like I have another half day left in me.

Amazfit Balance 2, not overpriced like Garmin, good featureset.

Amazfit Balance 2 should be about that price. The T-Rex 3 as well for something more sporty. The T-Rex 3 pro is out of that price range, but it's worth the extra. Or Bip 6, or Active 2 round or square, for a cheaper option with the same sensors and 90% of the features and limited local storage. The current gen of Amazfit devices are really very good.