When talking about advanced heart rate monitors & sports watches, it is inevitable to look at the health and training tracking functions, design and comfort when exercising. In recent years, the Amazfit brand has earned a prominent place in the wearable market for runners, thanks to devices that combine performance, ease of use and excellent value for money.
The new Amazfit Active 2 smartwatch arrives with the promise of a leap in quality: incorporating a next-generation optical sensor, debuting the Zepp OS 4.5 operating system and expanding the possibilities of tracking and sports analysis.
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Amazfit Active 2 with sunlight glowing display and sporty styling.
The Amazfit Active 2' s new design is designed for those who run, do fitness or simply lead an active lifestyle and want a versatile device. The first thing that catches the eye is its 1.32-inch AMOLED display, with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. This detail makes it stand out, as many watches suffer in bright sunlight, but the Active 2 maintains readability without issue.
The watch body combines a stainless steel finish on the case and an interchangeable strap with a pleasant feel. On the right side, it includes two buttons strategically placed in a low position. As the brand explains, this avoids uncomfortable rubbing or restrictions on wrist flexion during exercise. This change of location may sound minimal, but those of us who train frequently know that sometimes a misplaced button can translate into discomfort or accidental presses.
Amazfit has also thought about resistance. For the "premium" version of the Active 2, the glass that protects the screen is made of sapphire, a material highly resistant to shocks and scratches. For those looking for a more affordable model, the standard model has a high-strength tempered glass. In both cases, it is noticeable that the design has been adjusted to be comfortable: it is lightweight (between 29.5 and 31.7 grams, depending on the version) and with a reasonable thickness that does not get in the way in most daily activities.
Revamped operating system: Zepp OS 45
What sets the Active 2 apart from the brand's other smart watches is its new Zepp OS 4.5 operating system. For those unfamiliar, Zepp OS is Amazfit ' s platform that coordinates the interaction between the watch and the management app on the smartphone. With the arrival of version 4.5, there are several interesting improvements:
New intelligent voice assistant Zepp Flow
This assistant can now read notifications, suggest answers, transcribe voice notes and even announce certain training parameters aloud. In practice, it helps reduce mobile queries, as you can ask it to summarize messages, send an SMS or reply to the latest WhatsApp message (on iOS) without having to take your phone out of your pocket.
Improved notification center
One of the most frequent complaints era the limited way to display images in notifications. Zepp OS 45 fixes that, allowing you to zoom in on photos received from messaging apps or home video surveillance systems. In addition, if you accumulate notifications, the watch indicates it with a status dot on the dial, something very practical so you don't miss anything important.
Extended keyboard and emoji support
Entering text on a watch is always a challenge, but Amazfit tries to make it easier with its own keyboard, supporting multiple languages and voice recognition. Plus, the emoji library has grown from 1300 to over 3,000, so your quick replies gain a more expressive touch.
Accessibility features
With the inclusion of different font sizes (up to six levels) and a screen magnifier, Zepp OS 45 wants to help those with vision difficulties. It is clear that we will not see the complexity of a pocket computer, but we will see a more user-friendly environment adapted to different user profiles.
These new features represent a remarkable change. While Amazfit s software had always been easy to understand, some functions seemed a bit limited in previous models. Zepp OS 45 improves the experience and makes it closer to that of a high-end smart watches, without complicating the options for daily use.
BioTracker? 6.0 PPG sensor: your personal trainer and doctor.
To talk about heart rate monitors & sports watches without mentioning their sensors would be half-hearted. The BioTracker? 6.0 PPG is Amazfit 's new winning bet to accurately measure heart rate and other relevant and interesting parameters for the user. According to the brand, its accuracy is close to that of the top-of-the-line Amazfit T-Rex 3, a highly rated model in the outdoor range. If you like to know your heart performance in real time and the evolution of your training zones (Z1, Z2, Z3, etc.), this sensor promises reliable readings even in high-intensity intervals.
In addition to heart rate, the sensor and algorithms allow you to monitor:
- HRV (Heart Rate Variability): key indicator to know your stress level and your ability to recover.
- Sleep quality: Differentiating phases such as light, deep and REM sleep, as well as breathing during the night.
- Stress and physical or mental fatigue (Readiness Score): With a scale that guides you on how your body is feeling before starting training.
- External body temperature: A more unusual aspect in GPSheart rate monitors & sports watches, but interesting to see variations libre.
Many times, a measurement error can distort the whole planning. This new sensor promises a reduction in failures, which means that your interval routines and subsequent recovery assessments will not be affected by poorly detected frequency peaks.
Sport modes: more than 160 options and two HYROX modes.
One of Amazfit' s strengths has always been the variety of sport modes. In the Amazfit Active 2, we find more than 160, covering endurance disciplines, technical exercises and strength training. Highlighting the following aspects:
- Advanced running workouts: it's not just about recording time, distance and heart rate. The watch also focuses on evaluating running technique, cadence and stability of movement.
- Strength training: The device recognizes up to 25 different exercises for different muscle groups, evaluating aspects such as continuity, rhythm and stability of movements. All the information is synchronized with the Zepp app, where you can see which muscles have been worked the most, as well as the intensity of the stimulus.
- Padelsupport : If you are a fan of this sport, the Active 2 monitors the amount of forehand or backhand strokes, something uncommon in most heart rate monitors & sports watches.
- Special HYROX modes: HYROX is a fast-growing sport that combines running with functional exercises. Amazfit, as an official HYROX partner, has integrated two specific modes:
HYROX Race: Records all disciplines in the actual order of a competition. Useful for those who are preparing for HYROX events and want to analyze each segment separately.
HYROX PFT (Physical Fitness Test): Allows you to evaluate your fitness level according to the official HYROX program, monitoring basic exercises and their order of execution.
The variety is such that it is easy to customize the watch interface to show only the metrics you need for each sport. In fact, if you can't find the exact mode, the Active 2 lets you upload your own training plans or use the Zepp Coach feature, a virtual AI trainer that adapts to your level and progress.
Offline maps: safety and exploration on the wrist
For lovers of trail running and mountain routes, one of the most interesting additions is the possibility of using free offline maps directly on the Active 2. By pre-downloading the route, you can venture into areas without coverage without losing orientation. A very practical feature for tackling long-distance races or training where you want to explore new trails.
The maps include altimetry and trail details, and, thanks to GPS accuracy, it's easy to see if you're straying. It's not a replacement for a high-end professional GPS device, but it adds an extra layer of peace of mind and means you're not always reliant on your cell phone.
Amazfit ecosystem: mini-apps, external devices and data sync.
While the watch itself is very complete, the experience doesn't end there. Amazfit has been polishing its Zepp app to make it a health and fitness powerhouse. From the app, you can:
- Set up mini-apps: The Active 2 supports the installation of small apps that offer specific data, such as estimated battery life on a long outing or the amount of fat burned in real time.
- Connect peripheral devices: If you use heart rate bands for accuracy, cycling potentiometers or cadence meters, the watch recognizes them and integrates them into its data log.
- Synchronize with external platforms: The Zepp app allows you to share information with Strava, komoot, Health Connect, Apple Health, Google Fit, Relive or TrainingPeaks. If you are one of those who like to analyze your workouts on multiple services or share them with friends, you will appreciate this seamless integration.
Battery and battery life: up to 10 days, but with nuances
With a 270 mAh battery, Amazfit promises up to 10 days of autonomy in standard use mode. That said, it is important to understand that consumption will vary if we constantly activate GPS, use the screen at 2,000 nits or rely heavily on the voice assistant. In case of intensive daily training or continuous use of GPS connectivity, the autonomy could drop to approximately 5 days.
In any case, 5 to 10 days are reasonable figures for a smart watches with such a bright AMOLED display and so many tracking functions. In addition, charging is usually fast, allowing the watch to be ready in a short time.
Availability and pricing: two versions for different budgets
One of the policies that has driven Amazfit s popularity is to offer options with different features at a tight price point. The Amazfit Active 2 comes to market in:
- Standard version (€99): Includes all sports and health functions, with tempered glass.
- Premium version (€129): Adds sapphire glass, an additional sports strap and the Zepp Pay function for contactless payments.
Overall, the competitiveness of these prices puts it in a very favorable position against direct rivals that far exceed the €150 barrier.
Who is the Amazfit Active 2 for?
After seeing all its features, we could ask ourselves: "What type of user is this smart watches intended for?" My answer is that it is aimed at a wide audience, from thebeginner runner who values ease of use and moderate cost, to the more experienced user who wants a device with advanced functionalities, such as offline maps, analysis of technique in strength and compatibility with external sensors.
The Amazfit Active 2 is also a good choice for those looking for quick access to health and fitness statistics (sleep, stress, heart rate). Also for people who alternate various sports disciplinesrunning, strength, paddle tennis, HYROX, etc.) and need a multipurpose watch instead of a specialist limited to one sport.
Amazfit Active 2, balanced sports smart watches with projection
From RUNNEA we have no doubt that Amazfit takes a firm step with the launch of the Active 2 It goes beyond a simple successor to previous models, because itmarks a leap in key areas: the new BioTracker? 6.0 PPG sensor, the inclusion of Zepp OS 4.5 and the expansion of sports modes, including two specialized in HYROX. In addition, the introduction of offline maps, the ability to install mini-apps and compatibility with measurement peripherals evidence Amazfit s ambition to establish itself as aleading brandin mid-high-end heart rate monitors & sports watches.
The starting price of €99 for the standard version and €129 for the premium version is a great success. The competition in this price range, although high, does not always offer so many features or an AMOLED screen of 2,000 nits. The design, comfort and ease of use of the Zepp ecosystem complete an extremely pleasant experience.
We are facing a smartwatch that balances performance, advanced features and ease of use, with a price that many users consider essential to decide. From RUNNEA we are clear that we are talking about a wise and solid final purchase. It may not be the most robust smart watches for long expeditions in high mountains, but for training and mid-range competitions in usual conditions, it is one of the most attractive options in its segment.
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