If you’re thinking about buying an Amazfit watch or wondering whether to upgrade from the original Amazfit Balance to the new Balance 2, I’ve got you covered.
I’ve used both, and while they may look pretty similar on the outside, the way they work has changed in some noticeable ways.
This isn’t a flashy comparison full of tech jargon — this is what it feels like to use each one.
Let’s get into it.
Powering On & Restarting: Small Change, Big Difference
With the first Balance, you hold the crown (the main rotating button) to open the power menu.
Want to reboot the watch? Keep holding. Simple. Maybe too simple — I accidentally restarted it once just trying to adjust my wrist.
In Balance 2, Amazfit moved this function to the lower side button. Now, when you want to shut down or restart, you hold that button instead. The crown no longer controls anything power-related.
What I like: This change makes sense. It’s cleaner, and I haven’t accidentally rebooted the Balance 2 once — which is a win in my book.
Screen Locking: One Is More Secure, One Is More Flexible
The original Balance locks the screen until you turn it off. If you enable the screen lock from the quick settings, it stays locked — even when the screen turns off and back on again.
With the Balance 2, the lock is more of a one-time thing. You turn it on, it locks the screen, and once you turn the screen off, it unlocks by itself.
You’ll need to lock it again next time manually.
What this means:
- If you want your watch to stay locked (like during a long hike or run), the original Balance is better.
- If you want a quick way to prevent accidental taps once in a while, Balance 2 is more convenient.
Button Mode: Custom Control vs. Simpler Flow
This one matters more than I expected.
On the original Balance, I could assign custom functions to both the crown and the lower button — like launching a workout app or setting a quick shortcut.
And here’s the best part: those shortcuts still worked in button mode, which is the simplified interface for workouts or focus time.
Balance 2 changes that. When you turn on button mode:
- The lower button becomes a back/home button, not a shortcut launcher.
- Only the crown keeps your custom assignment.
- Long-pressing the lower button takes you back to the home screen.
Is this a big deal?
Honestly, yeah — if you use the lower button for quick launches, you’ll notice the change.
It’s not a dealbreaker, but it made me rethink how I interact with the watch during workouts.
Amazfit Balance vs. Balance 2 Comparison: Features, Controls, and Everyday Use
| Feature | Balance (Original) | Balance 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Power button | Long press crown | Long press lower button |
| Accidental reboot risk | Higher | Much lower |
| Screen lock style | Stays locked | One-time lock |
| Button mode behavior | Both buttons stay active | Only crown keeps function |
| Lower button in button mode | Launches assigned feature | Works as back/home button |
Final Thoughts
Here’s the thing: Balance 2 isn’t a total overhaul — it’s more of a refinement. Amazfit moved a few key functions around to reduce mistakes and create a smoother experience.
But in doing that, they also took away a little bit of the flexibility that power users (like me) enjoyed.
If you’re someone who:
- Likes having complete control over your buttons
- Uses screen lock often
- Wants every shortcut available at your fingertips
…then you might prefer the original Balance.
But if you:
- Want fewer accidental reboots or wrong button presses
- Prefer simpler, more focused control
- Are newer to smartwatches and want an easy setup
…then the Balance 2 is going to feel just right.
Both watches are excellent choices. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to use them.
If you have any questions or would like to share your experience with either watch, please feel free to leave a comment.
I would love to hear how others are using these watches in real life.
Also See:-
- Amazfit Balance 2 Guide: Style, Power, and Battery Life.
- Amazfit Balance 2 Blood Pressure Feature: Where It’s Available and How It Works.
- Amazfit Balance Gets a Big Update: Smarter Tracking, New Fitness Features.
- I Just Updated My Amazfit Balance 2 to v3.16.0.3—Here’s What’s New
- Top 9 Amazfit Smartwatches of 2025: Honest Reviews & Real-Life Comparisons
