| Amazfit Balance | Polar Vantage V | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $369★ | $599 |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 62g | 39g★ |
| Water resistance | 10ATM★ | 5ATM |
| Battery | 21 days★ | 8 days |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Jun 2, 2026 | Oct 4, 2023 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | good★ |
| Next model | — | Polar Vantage V4 (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.
Polar Vantage V3 is one of the few sports GPS watches with on-demand ECG — usually only found on lifestyle smartwatches.
Running power measurement without a foot pod or chest strap — a significant training metric for pacing effort on hills and varied terrain.
The most detailed training load analysis in any sports watch: muscle groups targeted per session, recovery status per muscle, and long-term load trends.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$369 vs $599 over 3 years.
21 days vs 8 days battery.
7 sensors.
39g.
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 →Serious endurance athletes — particularly runners and triathletes — who want Polar's unmatched training load science and recovery guidance, combined with ECG health monitoring and running power in a premium package.
Full details →