GoKawiilMatthew Miller/ZDNET
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I tested the Amazfit Balance 2 in 2025 and it served as my preferred smartwatch for months thanks to its vibrant display, long battery life, and support for the sports I play. Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to test out its successor, the Amazfit Balance 3 as well as the flagship Cheetah 2 Ultra . Both are very similar, but the Cheetah 2 Ultra is $230 more.
I've been running, biking, hiking, rowing, golfing, swimming, and living with both, and there are reasons you may want to think of one over the other so let's try and help you with that decision.
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 costs a pricy $600, while the Amazfit Balance 3 is only $370. The Balance Ultra closely matches the Cheetah 2 Ultra with more of a focus on Hyrox and hybrid training activities while the Cheetah 2 Ultra is focused primarily on optimizing experiences for runners.
We'll focus on two of the newest smartwatches from Amazfit with similar features and functionality to see if it makes sense to pay the extra $230 for the flagship.
Specifications
Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra Amazfit Balance 3 Display 1.5-inch AMOLED, 480x480 pixels 1.5-inch AMOLED, 480x480 pixels Weight (without strap) 52g 62g (Stainless Steel) Dimensions 47.4 x 47.4 x 15.6 mm 51.4 x 51.4 x 14.6 mm Battery life (GPS) 33 hours 41 hours Battery life (smartwatch) 30 days 21 days Water resistance 5 ATM 10 ATM
LED flashlight Two colors Two colors Price $599 $369
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