| Apple Watch SE | Amazfit Balance | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $249★ | $299 |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 26g★ | 42g |
| Water resistance | 50m | 10ATM★ |
| Battery | 18h | 21 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 19, 2025 | Jun 24, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | neutral |
| Deals advice | neutral | neutral |
| Next model | Apple Watch SE 4 (Expected fall 2027) | — |
Access the entire watchOS app ecosystem, Apple Pay, Siri, and Family Setup — for $150 less than the Series 11.
Emergency SOS, fall detection, and Crash Detection give real safety value even without premium health sensors.
Available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and (PRODUCT)RED with a wide range of Apple Watch-compatible bands.
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.
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.
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.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$249 vs $299 over 3 years · no required subscription.
21 days vs 18h battery.
7 sensors.
26g · no required subscription.
iPhone users who want Apple Watch's core experience — activity tracking, notifications, crash detection, and Apple Pay — at a lower price point. Ideal for kids, teens, or anyone upgrading from a much older watch without needing the advanced health sensors.
Full details →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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