| Amazfit Balance | Garmin vivosmart 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $369 | $149★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 62g | 25g★ |
| Water resistance | 10ATM★ | 5ATM |
| Battery | 21 days★ | 7 days |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Fitness Tracker |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Jun 2, 2026 | Apr 26, 2022 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | great★ |
| Next model | — | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected H2 2026) |
The 1.5" AMOLED is 50% brighter than the Balance 2 at 3,000 nits, under scratch-resistant sapphire glass — with 21 days of typical use and 41 hours of Accuracy-Mode GPS.
An upgraded processor renders maps 2.5× faster, with dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS across six satellite systems, 64GB of storage, and turn-by-turn offline topo navigation.
A new dual-mode LED flashlight with white, red, and SOS modes joins official HYROX training, golf course maps, and more than 180 sport modes.
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$359 vs $369 over 3 years.
21 days vs 7 days battery.
7 sensors.
25g.
Android and iPhone users who want a premium smartwatch experience — full offline maps, long battery, and a bright sapphire display — at a price below Apple Watch or Garmin equivalents. A strong choice for runners, hikers, and hybrid athletes who want GPS map navigation without a subscription.
Full details →Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →