| Garmin Fenix | Amazfit Balance | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $999 | $299★ |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 56g | 42g★ |
| Water resistance | 10ATM | 10ATM |
| Battery | 18 days | 21 days★ |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Aug 14, 2024 | Jun 24, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | neutral★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | Garmin Fenix 9 (H2 2026) | — |
First Fenix to include a speaker — enabling phone calls, Bluetooth audio, and voice prompts directly from the watch.
AMOLED for the best display at 18 days. Solar MIP for up to 48+ days in expedition conditions where charging is impossible.
EN13319 dive mode (up to 40m), MIL-STD-810 shock resistance, and TopoActive maps covering 100+ countries — the most capable outdoor watch in Garmin's lineup.
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.
$299 vs $1209 over 3 years · no required subscription.
21 days vs 18 days battery.
11 sensors.
42g · no required subscription.
Expedition athletes, adventure racers, triathletes, mountaineers, and divers who need the most capable and durable GPS watch Garmin makes. Also for anyone who wants Garmin's best — full stop.
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.
Full details →