Head-to-head · Best Smartwatches

Amazfit Balance 2 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 3.9). Apple Watch Ultra 3 is best for: Outdoor adventurers needing robust features. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #10 in Best Smartwatches

Amazfit Balance 2

3.9

3 sources$299.99as of Oct 14

The Amazfit Balance 2 delivers solid performance in fitness tracking, particularly excelling in heart rate monitoring and GPS accuracy. Reviewers noted its strong sleep tracking capabilities and value proposition for budget-conscious users. However, some reviewers found the smart features lacking compared to higher-end models, and the device's screen quality and user interface received mixed feedback. This tracker is best suited for users prioritizing fitness metrics over smartwatch functionality.

Strengths

— Strong heart rate tracking performance with high correlation to reference device
— Good GPS tracking accuracy for outdoor activities
— Solid sleep stage tracking capabilities

Watch-outs

— Limited smart features compared to premium competitors
— Screen quality and user interface criticized by some reviewers

$299.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Smartwatches

Apple Watch Ultra 3

4.4

2 sources$649as of Oct 16

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings a larger LTPO3 display, 5G connectivity, and visible seconds to the wrist, making it well-suited for adventurers and fitness enthusiasts. PCMag's Andrew Gebhart notes its enhanced battery life and cellular performance, while a YouTube reviewer found the screen improvements subtle in daily use. The device is ideal for those seeking a premium smartwatch with robust outdoor features, though it doesn't drastically outpace its predecessor in core functionality.

Strengths

— Larger LTPO3 display with improved off-angle viewing
— Seconds are visible on the screen without raising wrist, per Birchtree
— Enhanced battery life compared to previous models, per OutdoorGearLab

Watch-outs

— Sold in only one 49mm case size and one titanium configuration, unlike cheaper Apple Watch models

$649 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Amazfit Balance 2

The Amazfit Balance 2 excels in heart rate tracking and GPS accuracy, which the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 11 don't match, but it lacks the smart features and advanced health metrics found in the Garmin Venu 4 and OnePlus Watch 3. It doesn't offer the same level of smartwatch functionality as the Apple Watch SE 3 and Google Pixel Watch 4. The Xiaomi Watch 5 provides better smart features but lacks the advanced fitness tracking capabilities of the Balance 2.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a larger LTPO3 display and 5G connectivity, which the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 11 don't offer, but it lacks the advanced fitness metrics found in the Garmin Venu 4 and doesn't provide the same level of battery life as the OnePlus Watch 3. Compared to the Google Pixel Watch 4, it offers more comprehensive health tracking but lacks the built-in Gemini AI. The Apple Watch SE 3 provides better value with its updated design and speaker capabilities.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Amazfit Balance 2	Apple Watch Ultra 3
Battery	658 mAh	Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Display Type	AMOLED	LTPO3 OLED
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, BLE	5G
Water Resistance	10ATM	100m
OS	Zepp OS	WatchOS 26
Material	Aluminium alloy case and sapphire glass	Titanium
Compatibility	iOS and Android	iOS
Dimensions	—	8.4 x 4.6 x 1.5 inches

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