GoKawiilMatthew Miller/ZDNET
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The Garmin Fenix 8 has been one of my favorite sports watches for the past couple of years, and while it is on sale as we anticipate the Fenix 9 release, it is still an expensive watch. Amazfit has been challenging Garmin with affordable watches. The company recently started releasing flagship models priced closer to Garmin's flagship offerings, but they can still save you a couple of hundred dollars.
For the past month, I have been running, biking, hiking, and living with flagship watches from both companies to see if Amazfit is worth saving some money as the brand continues a steady launch of watches in 2026.
Also: I tested the best sports watches in 2026: Here are the latest and greatest watches, no matter your budget
The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra is available for $600, while the 47mm Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED (similar size) is priced at $850. Amazfit recently announced the Balance Ultra at the same price ($600). Garmin has a more expensive Fenix 8 Pro model with LTE and satellite support.
We'll focus on two flagship watches with similar features and functionality to see if Amazfit's most expensive watch is a better bet for you than a Garmin flagship.
Specifications
Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra Garmin Fenix 8 Display 1.5-inch AMOLED, 480x480 pixels 1.4-inch AMOLED, 454x454 pixels Weight (without strap) 52g 59g Dimensions 47.4 x 47.4 x 15.6 mm 47 x 47 x 13.8 mm Battery life (GPS) 33 hours 35 hours Battery life (smartwatch) 30 days 16 days Water resistance 5 ATM 10 ATM
LED flashlight Two colors Two colors Price $599.99 $849.99
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