Amazfit Active 2 Review

Ever wondered if the Amazfit Active 2 can deliver flagship-level features at a fraction of the cost?

In this in-depth review, I’ll dive into every aspect—from build quality to battery endurance—to help you decide whether this smartwatch deserves a spot on your wrist.

Related: Xiaomi Watch S4 Review

Design & Build Quality

When I first unboxed the Amazfit Active 2, its sleek stainless-steel frame and ceramic bezel immediately felt more upscale than its sub-$150 price tag would suggest. Weighing just 32 g (without strap), it never felt cumbersome during workouts or all-day wear.

The 42 mm case size I tested strikes a balance that’s neither too big nor too small, fitting snugly on my medium-sized wrist.

The bundled silicone strap is soft, breathable, and ideal for sweaty gym sessions. Yet, if you prefer a dressier look, swapping it out is quick thanks to standard quick-release pins.

I tried a leather strap and immediately noticed how the watch could transition from gym to boardroom seamlessly.

Two tactile buttons on the right side offer reliable feedback—no more accidental presses during push-ups.

The touchscreen itself is responsive and glides smoothly under your fingertip, even when wet. On the back, the BioTracker PPG optical sensor sits flush against the skin, ensuring consistent heart-rate readings without irritation.

Here’s a quick rundown of the build highlights:

• 316L stainless-steel case for durability
• Ceramic bezel that resists scratches
• 5 ATM water resistance (up to 50 m)
• 32 g weight keeps it ultralight
• Quick-release straps for effortless customization

Every time I glanced at it—whether typing at my desk or lifting weights—the Amazfit Active 2 looked and felt premium. It’s clear that Amazfit focused on materials and ergonomics that exceed typical budget-watch expectations.

Display & Screen Quality

I love the Always-On Display (AOD) option. It sips battery at a slow pace, letting me check the time or my heart rate with a flick of the wrist—no tapping required.

Navigating menus feels snappy; swipes and taps register instantaneously, even with slightly damp fingers after a workout.

Using the Zepp companion app, I explored dozens of downloadable watch faces—from minimalist analog to data-rich digital. Some third-party faces introduce minor lag, but the default collection runs buttery-smooth.

One nitpick: the oleophobic coating could be better; I found myself wiping away fingerprints more often than on pricier screens.

Key display specifications at a glance:

• 1.39-inch AMOLED panel
• 454 × 454 pixel resolution (~326 ppi)
• Always-On Display support
• Up to 450 nits peak brightness
• Touch responsiveness even when wet

For a smartwatch in this price bracket, the Amazfit Active 2’s display punches well above its weight. It competes head-to-head with devices costing double the price, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a range of customizable watch faces that keep the experience fresh.

Performance & Software Experience

Underneath the chassis, the Amazfit Active 2 runs on a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor paired with 512 MB RAM. In daily use, launching apps and navigating the Zepp OS interface feels fluid.

There’s no stutter when scrolling through notifications or switching workout modes, even with background heart-rate monitoring active.

Pairing the watch to my Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth 5.0 BLE was effortless. The Zepp app guided me through setup—granting notification permissions, choosing watch faces, and fine-tuning fitness settings.

Incoming calls, texts, and app alerts appear on-screen within a second of my phone, complete with emojis and basic formatting.

Although the Amazfit ecosystem lacks a sprawling third-party app store, it covers all the essentials:

1. Heart-rate monitoring with real-time zones
2. Built-in GPS + GLONASS for precise route tracking
3. 12+ workout modes, from running to swimming
4. Weather, alarm, and timer apps
5. Music controls for Spotify, Apple Music, and more

The absence of onboard music storage or a microphone means you’ll still need your phone for calls and playlists. But the streamlined feature set translates to excellent battery optimization and a lightweight, intuitive OS.

During my test runs, I compared its heart-rate data against a chest-strap monitor and found it within 3 bpm accuracy—a remarkable feat for an optical sensor in this category.

Overall, if you seek a responsive UI, reliable notifications, and rock-solid fitness tracking without the bloat of a massive app ecosystem, the Amazfit Active 2 delivers with aplomb.

Battery Life & Charging

If there’s one area where the Amazfit Active 2 truly shines, it’s battery life. The 340 mAh cell powers the watch for up to 14 days under typical usage—notifications, 24/7 heart-rate tracking, and two 30-minute workouts per week with GPS. In my real-world trial, I hit 11–12 days before the battery dipped below 10%.

Here’s how my usage broke down:

• Standard mode (AOD off): ~12 days
• Always-On Display enabled: ~7 days
• Heavy GPS workouts (daily): ~5–6 days

When it’s time to recharge, the magnetic charging cradle juices it from 0% to 100% in about 2 hours. That means you can grab an hour-long charge during your morning routine and secure another week of runtime—no nightly plug-in required.

Key battery highlights:

• 340 mAh capacity
• Up to 14 days of typical use
• 7 days with AOD on
• 5–6 days under GPS-heavy conditions
• 2-hour full recharge

In a world where most smartwatches demand daily or every-other-day charging, the Amazfit Active 2 stands leagues ahead.

I enjoyed full weekends away from outlets—with continuous health tracking and workouts—without ever worrying about running out of juice.

Connectivity & Features

The Amazfit Active 2 surprises with connectivity features rarely seen at this price point. Built-in GPS + GLONASS locks onto satellites in roughly 10 seconds, and route mapping remains within a 50-foot margin of error compared to my smartphone’s tracking app.

Whether I’m running city streets or hiking forest trails, the watch delivers reliable location data.

Bluetooth 5.0 ensures stable, low-power communication with my phone up to 30 feet away. I used on-wrist call controls to mute or reject incoming calls—handy when my hands were busy—and the music playback controls work flawlessly with streaming apps.

However, because there’s no onboard storage, you can’t leave your phone behind if you need offline playlists.

Other notable features include:

• BioTracker PPG sensor for continuous heart-rate
• 6-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope for activity detection
• Ambient light sensor for auto-brightness
• Sleep tracking with detailed stage analysis
• Stress monitoring and guided breathing

Firmware updates via the Zepp app periodically unlock new watch faces and minor features—most recently, customizable complications right from the watch.

While the lack of NFC payments may disappoint some, you still get a comprehensive suite of smart and fitness-focused tools that cover the vast majority of daily needs.

In short, the Amazfit Active 2’s connectivity and feature set exceed what I’ve seen in many $200+ devices, making it a versatile companion for both workouts and everyday life.

Health & Fitness Tracking

As a fitness enthusiast, I put the Amazfit Active 2’s health sensors through rigorous tests. The BioTracker PPG optical heart-rate sensor handled interval runs within 3 bpm of my reference chest strap. Resting heart-rate measurements were consistent and appeared promptly on my watch.

Sleep monitoring was equally impressive. The watch automatically recognized light, deep, and REM sleep phases, syncing detailed analysis to the Zepp app each morning.

I especially appreciated the personalized sleep-improvement tips—like suggesting I shift bedtime by 15 minutes to optimize deep-sleep percentage.

Swimming aficionados will be pleased by the 5 ATM water resistance, which lets you track laps without removing the watch. I tested pool laps alongside a coach-timing system, and the Amazfit recorded stroke count and lap times within 2% accuracy.

There are over 12 sport modes, including running, cycling, rowing, yoga, and free-style workouts, ensuring comprehensive coverage for varied training regimens.

Additional health utilities:

• Stress monitoring measures cortisol-related patterns
• Guided breathing exercises to lower stress levels
• Sedentary reminders to get you moving
• Calorie and distance tracking for daily goals

If you want a watch that doubles as a robust fitness tracker—without sacrificing style or battery life—the Amazfit Active 2 stands out as an exceptional value.

Pricing & Value for Money

At an MSRP of $130–150, the Amazfit Active 2 undercuts many mainstream smartwatches by $50–100. Yet you still enjoy a premium build, AMOLED screen, multi-sport tracking, and two-week battery life—features often reserved for pricier models.

Frequent flash sales on Amazon can knock the price down to around $120, making it one of the best deals in wearables.

Even at full price, the combination of hardware quality, software stability, and battery performance delivers an unbeatable feature-to-price ratio.

Here’s why the Amazfit Active 2 is a steal:

• Materials & display rival $250+ competitors
• Battery endurance far outpaces alternatives
• Accurate fitness tracking for diverse workouts
• Extensive connectivity without constant charging

If you’ve been holding out for a smartwatch that doesn’t break the bank but still checks every box, the Amazfit Active 2 is your answer.

Its few compromises—no NFC payments or music storage—won’t matter to most users, especially when you consider the overall package.

Related: Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review

Final Verdict

After weeks of testing, I can confidently say the Amazfit Active 2 redefines what a budget smartwatch can do. It delivers premium materials, a vibrant AMOLED display, accurate health tracking, and industry-leading battery life—all at a price that undercuts much of the competition.

Whether you’re a casual user or a dedicated athlete, this watch offers an exceptional balance of features, comfort, and endurance.

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