ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Amazfit Lively 2 is out there beginning at $99, relying on the band.
- The watch is small, lasts as much as 10 days, has a superb AMOLED show, measures an in depth quantity of information, and is cheap
- The small measurement is nice for many individuals, however may not be the fitting match for some.
extra shopping for decisions
At Amazon, the Amazfit Active 2 is on sale for $76.
Amazfit’s development and maturity within the wearable area are harking back to Coros’ successes. Given the widespread enthusiasm for the affordable and powerful T-Rex 3, thrilling occasions are coming for Amazfit. The model began 2025 with a compelling and diminutive watch priced below $100.
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Earlier this 12 months, I spent a number of weeks operating, rowing, sleeping, and dwelling with the small Amazfit Active 2 on my left wrist. For simply $30, you may improve to the Premium model with a sapphire glass show, pink silicone band, and black vegan leather-based band as an alternative of a tempered glass show and a black silicone band. I examined the Premium package deal, and I extremely suggest this selection.
For the worth, it is robust to argue that another smartwatch can compete on worth. Amazfit has improved the Active I reviewed in 2023 by transferring to a spherical type issue, together with a barometric altimeter and ambient mild sensor, a brighter 2,000 nits show, and extra indoor and out of doors sports activities.
The sports activities replace contains ski maps to trace and navigate your runs on the Amazfit Lively 2.
I used to be extraordinarily impressed by the standard of the smartwatch, its chrome steel bezel, and its sapphire glass display screen. The AMOLED show is sensible, with clear fonts and vibrant colours. In contrast to many different smartwatches, the problems on many Amazfit watch faces are actionable, so you may faucet proper on the complication and soar into the widget displaying the main points of that metric.
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Excessive-end gadgets just like the Apple Watch help this functionality, however many others solely present you the abstract information and don’t help you dive into the main points.
The swipes and faucets on the show work flawlessly with no lag or lacking hit factors. Two buttons on the fitting facet are arrange for optimum effectivity, the place you may customise an extended press of the higher button and a brief press of the decrease button.
I’ve set the lengthy press of the higher button to launch voice memos. This setup means I can file my ideas as I work out and have them synced to the Zepp smartphone utility.
With help for voice memos, there’s a microphone on the watch. A speaker can also be current so you may hearken to these voice memos on the watch and even settle for calls out of your wrist. Offline voice instructions allow you to carry out widespread system capabilities and open apps put in on the watch.
Amazfit is among the first wearable platforms to help HYROX racing. This worldwide competitors consists of operating and eight purposeful exercises equivalent to rowing, sled pulling, farmer’s carry, and extra. HYROX seems as one of many elective actions you may set up on the watch. The watch is designed to rely the assorted repetitions whereas offering efficiency insights.
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The built-in GPS receiver, supporting 5 GNSS, has intently matched the dual-band GPS receivers on different watches. Amazfit advertises as much as 21 hours in GPS monitoring mode, which matches my experiences. A BioTracker 6.0 optical coronary heart fee sensor is positioned on the again of the watch and has been correct, once more matching wrist and arm-mounted coronary heart fee sensors.
The silicone and leather-based bands are 20mm vast and could be changed simply with the quick-release slide pins within the bands. You should use any customary 20mm band with the Lively 2. I’m a fan of the brand new magnetic charging puck, which plugs into any USB-C cable to cost the watch.
The Zepp smartphone app has additionally seen vital enhancements over the previous few months and is now a giant constructive. The Zepp app is best organized whereas nonetheless having numerous information and metrics to flick through as you’re employed to enhance your well being and health.
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Readiness, sleep-tracking particulars, resting coronary heart fee, and different metrics are intently matched to different flagship wearables I’ve been testing alongside the Amazfit Lively 2.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
If you wish to attempt a wearable to trace your well being and wellness, the Amazfit Active 2 is the right first smartwatch for simply round $100. It’s small, comfy, sturdy, and offers attention-grabbing well being and wellness information.
The Zepp Aura tab offers entry to sleep and rest sounds, progress studies, sleep studies, and respiratory workout routines. The Day by day Readiness insights are additionally helpful for guiding you thru the day forward. The built-in artificial service (AI) will help reply your questions, arrange custom-made coaching plans, and aid you obtain your well being and health targets.
