Amazfit Active 3 Premium vs Amazfit Active 2 – what are the differences?
The Amazfit Active 3 Premium is the successor to the Amazfit Active 2 and focuses primarily on athletes who want more training data, better navigation and a brighter display. While both smartwatches are quite similar in size and basic features, there are several notable improvements.
Display: brightness and durability
In terms of screen size, both smartwatches are very similar. Both models feature a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 × 466 pixels.
The biggest difference lies in brightness. The Active 3 Premium can reach up to 3000 nits, making it significantly easier to read in bright sunlight.
Another improvement is the use of sapphire glass, which provides better scratch resistance than standard tempered glass.
For outdoor athletes and runners, this is a noticeable upgrade.
Design: materials, colours and comfort
Both watches feature a round design with a stainless-steel frame and interchangeable 20 mm straps.
There are, however, some subtle differences.
Amazfit Active 2
- Lighter design
- Minimalist appearance
- Focused on everyday use
Amazfit Active 3 Premium
- Slightly more robust design
- New colour options such as Apex Silver, Atlas Blue and Aero White
- Slightly heavier at around 38 grams
Both watches are also 5 ATM water resistant, meaning they are suitable for swimming and workouts in the rain.
Battery: longer battery life
One of the main upgrades can be found in the battery capacity.
The Active 3 Premium includes a 365 mAh battery and can last up to 12 days under normal usage.
Other battery modes include:
- Around 7 days with heavy use
- About 4 days with always-on display
- Up to 24 hours of GPS tracking
- Up to 76 hours in GPS power-saving mode
The Active 2 has a slightly smaller battery, which results in a shorter overall battery life.
For users who frequently use GPS during workouts, the Active 3 Premium offers a clear advantage.
Health features
Both watches provide extensive health tracking features.
Examples of functions available on both models include:
- 24/7 heart-rate monitoring
- Blood oxygen (SpO₂) measurement
- Stress monitoring
- Sleep tracking with sleep stages
- HRV and recovery analysis
The Active 3 Premium adds additional features such as:
- Skin temperature monitoring
- BioCharge energy score
- Advanced training analysis including VO₂ Max and training load
This makes the newer model particularly interesting for users who want deeper insights into training performance and recovery.
Lifestyle features
Besides sports tracking, both watches include several smartwatch features.
However, the Active 3 Premium adds extra functionality such as:
- Bluetooth calling with built-in microphone and speaker
- Voice assistant support
- offline maps and navigation
- Compatibility with apps like Strava and TrainingPeaks
This makes the watch more capable as a daily smartwatch.
Sport modes and training analysis
Sport and fitness tracking are key features of both models.
The Active 3 Premium supports more than 170 sport modes, including running, cycling, swimming and strength training.
It also includes advanced running metrics such as:
- Lactate threshold
- Running power
- Ground contact time
- Virtual pacer
- Zepp Coach training plans
The Active 2 offers many sports modes as well, but the Active 3 Premium clearly focuses more on serious training and performance tracking.
Specification comparison
| Feature | Amazfit Active 2 | Amazfit Active 3 Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.32 inch AMOLED | 1.32 inch AMOLED |
| Resolution | 466 × 466 pixels | 466 × 466 pixels |
| Brightness | approx. 2000 nits | up to 3000 nits |
| Protection | tempered glass / sapphire (premium) | sapphire glass |
| Weight | approx. 31 g without strap | approx. 38 g without strap |
| Frame | stainless steel + polymer | stainless steel frame |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Battery capacity | approx. 270 mAh | 365 mAh |
| Battery life (normal) | up to 10 days | up to 12 days |
| GPS usage | approx. 20 hours | up to 24 hours |
| Sport modes | 160+ | 170+ |
| Navigation | basic GPS | offline maps + route navigation |
| Health sensors | heart rate, SpO₂, stress, sleep | advanced BioTracker + skin temperature |
| Smart features | notifications, music control | calling, voice assistant, maps |
| Strap width | 20 mm | 20 mm |
Price
The older Amazfit Active 2 is currently priced around 89,99 - 109,99. The newer Amazfit Active 3 premium now costs 169,99 (looking at the official Amazfit pages), so the difference in price is quite big.
Conclusion
The Amazfit Active 2 remains a solid smartwatch for everyday use and basic fitness tracking.
However, the Amazfit Active 3 Premium offers several improvements:
- Brighter display
- Larger battery
- Offline navigation and maps
- More advanced training analysis
- Additional smartwatch features
For runners and active users who want more detailed training insights, the Active 3 Premium is a clear upgrade.
FAQ – Amazfit Active 3 Premium vs Active 2
Is the Amazfit Active 3 Premium a major upgrade?
Yes, especially in terms of display brightness, battery life and advanced sports analysis.
Do both watches have the same display size?
Yes, both feature a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a 466 × 466 resolution.
Are both watches waterproof?
Yes, both have a water resistance rating of 5 ATM and are suitable for swimming.
Which watch is better for athletes?
The Active 3 Premium offers more sports modes, running metrics and offline navigation.
Can you use the same straps?
Yes, both the Amazfit Active 2 straps as the Amazfit Active 3 Premium straps use 20mm wide quick release bands. This way you can use them on both models.
