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The new Amazfit Active 2 smartwatch is affordable and packed with surprises

Wearables brand Amazfit debuted its second-generation smartwatch, the Amazfit Active 2, at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday. The affordable smartwatch boasts a circular design and improved sensors, algorithms, and features that make it a versatile yet budget-friendly health companion.
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Amazfit includes enhanced algorithms for heart rate and sleep tracking and improved biosensors in the Active 2 that reportedly pick up more biometric signals throughout the day. The PulsePrecision algorithm, responsible for improved heart rate tracking, reportedly enhances the capability to the level of its T-Rex 3 rugged smartwatch, a smartwatch we've tested and loved that's double the price of the Active 2.
Motion-tracking monitors, an accelerometer and gyroscope, to be specific, are added to the device for further sleep and activity precision, alongside a barometer for altitude measurements. Users can expect ten days of battery life out of the smartwatch.
Over 160 sport modes
Weightlifters will be happy to learn that Amazfit includes over 160 sports modes (now including skiing) users can log, alongside a smart strength training mode that automatically counts reps, sets, and rest times.
Additionally, Amazfit offers a Zepp Coach integration for personalized training plans and a mini app for women to track their menstrual cycle throughout the month. Like other smartwatches du jour, users will receive a readiness score every morning and a summary of last night's rest.
More fun and interesting features are included, too. There's the Zepp Flow feature for voice control of watch settings, calendar details, and speech-to-text input for Android users. Then there's the Zepp Pay feature for European users who can use the watch as a contactless payment option when they purchase the premium version.
Also: Why I wear this $180 smartwatch after testing Samsung and Garmin watches
The Amazfit Active had an uncanny resemblance to the Apple Watch and its rectangular watch face. Amazfit ditched the Apple Watch-esque rectangular watch face of its first-generation Amazfit Active and changed the watch face of the Active 2 to a circular build. The premium Active 2 has a black leather strap, a red silicone strap in the box, and a sapphire glass screen covering, while the standard version has a red or black silicone strap.
Available to pre-order now
The smartwatch is available to pre-order in the US today and will be available worldwide in February. The standard version costs $100, and the premium version costs $130.