Wear Radar

Amazfit BalancevsPolar Grit X

40d vs 21d
battery life
Polar Grit X lasts longer
$380
price gap
Amazfit Balance cheaper
3
more health sensors
Amazfit Balance
Amazfit Balance
Buy/Wait:good

Current model just released

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Polar Grit X
Buy/Wait:bad

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming

Full details →
Amazfit BalancePolar Grit X
Pricing
Starting price$369$749
Subscription✓ None✓ None
Hardware
Weight62g57g
Water resistance10ATM100m
Battery21 days40 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
TierSmartwatchSports GPS
Buy timing
ReleasedJun 2, 2026Apr 11, 2024
Cycle advicegoodbad
Deals adviceneutralgood
Next model

Health Sensors

Amazfit Balance only
4 exclusive sensors
ECGDetects irregular heart rhythms (AFib)
Body CompositionEstimates body fat & muscle mass
Stress TrackingStress estimate from HRV and physiological signals
Skin TempOvernight changes linked to illness or cycle tracking
Both
3 shared
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
HRVHeart rate variability — stress & recovery scores
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
Polar Grit X only
1 exclusive sensor
Running PowerWrist-based watt output — tracks effort independent of terrain

Why buy each?

Amazfit Balance

3,000-nit sapphire AMOLED with 21-day battery

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.

Faster dual-band GPS and offline maps

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.

Flashlight, HYROX, and 180+ sport modes

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.

Polar Grit X

40-day battery for trail and ultra runners

Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.

Hill splitter auto-detection

Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.

Wrist running power at mid-range price

Running power without a chest strap or foot pod — Polar's key differentiator versus Garmin at this price tier.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

For the budget
Amazfit Balance wins

$369 vs $749 over 3 years.

For battery life
Polar Grit X wins

40 days vs 21 days battery.

For health depth
Amazfit Balance wins

7 sensors.

For daily comfort
Polar Grit X wins

57g.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps
  1. Balance-only sensors: ECG, Body Composition, Stress Tracking, Skin Temp.
  2. Grit X-only sensors: Running Power.
  3. Weight. Grit X is 5g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
  4. Water resistance. Grit X rates 100m vs 10ATM on Balance.
Commercial gaps
  1. Hardware cost. Balance is $380 cheaper upfront ($369 vs $749).
Pick the Amazfit Balance if…

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.

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Pick the Polar Grit X if…

Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.

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