Amazfit’s five-star fitness tracker just got a new way to take on Garmin’s best smartwatches, and it just got even better value

Amazfit has introduced a range of new features to its fitness watches, aiming to compete with Garmin's top smartwatches. The update encompasses most of the Amazfit watch lineup, including popular models like Balance Ultra, Balance 3, T-Rex Ultra 2, T-Rex 3 Pro, T-Rex 3, Cheetah 2 Ultra, Cheetah 2 Pro, and Active 3 Premium. This update has significantly improved swimming and indoor rowing workouts, which were previously areas where Amazfit's devices struggled.

The company's blog explains that users can now manually input rest periods during swimming sessions, enabling them to track activity and recovery separately. Swimming segments are also broken down by stroke, providing a clearer picture of the workout structure. For indoor rowing enthusiasts, the update allows Amazfit devices to connect with FTMS-compatible machines such as the Concept2 RowErg. This real-time connection provides workout metrics during exercise.

Amazfit has also added a touchscreen lock feature to prevent accidental interference while using the watch during workouts. Additionally, Athlete Defaults have been introduced, which automatically apply optimized workout settings when starting a training session. These settings include Do Not Disturb mode, disabled workout alerts, and maximum GPS precision.

The update is rolling out across Amazfit's entire watch range, making the company's devices more competitive with Garmin's offerings. The Active 3 Premium, a device that received a five-star review in the past, is now an even better option, available across almost the entire current Amazfit range. This development puts Amazfit's watches on par with the best smartwatches from Garmin, making the choice between the two brands more challenging for fitness enthusiasts.