Wear Radar

Fitbit ChargevsAmazfit Balance

Fitbit Charge
Buy/Wait:bad

Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming

Best for: Anyone who wants serious health and fitness tracking without the bulk or cost of a full smartwatch. Works with both Android and iPhone, making it the most accessible Fitbit tracker in the lineup.

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Amazfit Balance
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Best for: Android and iPhone users who want a premium smartwatch experience — full offline maps, ECG, long battery, and a bright sapphire display — at a price well below Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch. A strong choice for runners, hikers, and health-focused users who want GPS map navigation without a subscription.

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Fitbit ChargeAmazfit Balance
TierFitness TrackerSmartwatch
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery7 days21 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorsecg, spo2, eda stress, hrecg, spo2, hrv, hr, body comp, stress
ReleasedSep 28, 2023Jun 24, 2025
Cycle length731 days601 days
Cycle advicebadgood
Deals advicegreatneutral
Next modelFitbit Charge 7 (Expected 2026)

Why buy each?

Fitbit Charge

ECG and EDA stress in a slim band

Full ECG, electrodermal activity stress sensing, SpO2, and continuous heart rate in a tracker thinner than most smartwatches.

Google apps integration

Google Maps navigation, Google Wallet NFC payments, and YouTube Music controls — more useful on-device apps than any previous Charge.

7-day battery with GPS

7 days of typical use, dropping to around 30 minutes per GPS workout session before needing a charge.

Amazfit Balance

21-day battery with sapphire AMOLED display

21 days typical use and 33 hours GPS — combined with a scratch-resistant sapphire glass 1.5" AMOLED that outshines most watches at this price.

Dual-band GPS and offline maps

Precise dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS across six satellite systems, with downloadable offline topo maps and turn-by-turn navigation — rare at this price tier.

HYROX, golf, and diving modes

First Amazfit with official HYROX training and competition modes, 40,000-course golf maps, and SCUBA dive support — more sport breadth than any previous Balance.