Amazfit Balance 2 Smart Watch 47mm AMOLED Sapphire Glass Display, Offline Maps, Dual Band GPS, 21 Days Battery, 170+ Sport Modes, Hyrox & Golf Mode, Heart Rate & Sleep Tracker for Android & iPhone

I’ve never looked forward to a watch more—and been so disappointed—than with the Balance 2. I had high hopes and eagerly awaited its arrival, but the reality didn’t live up to the anticipation.First, while it may seem minor to some, the bright blue bezel was a dealbreaker for me. I was genuinely surprised that Amazfit launched this device with only a bold blue option. It’s a puzzling choice, especially when most people would likely prefer a more neutral color scheme. In person, the blue is brighter than it appears in photos and clashed heavily with the included red band. The combination just felt off, and I couldn't understand why multiple color options weren't offered from the start.Second—and more frustrating—is the display's inability to repel fingerprints. It’s one of the worst I’ve experienced. Despite the Sapphire glass, fingerprints stick easily and require constant wiping. I’ve used many watches, including the Apple Watch Ultra, and never had an issue this bad. It became a daily annoyance.Third, the performance was underwhelming. On certain watch faces, the second hand would freeze, and navigating the app list would lag or become unresponsive. Oddly, the Balance 2 felt slower and less stable than the original Balance 1.While I appreciate the effort Amazfit made with the Balance 2, the execution fell short. Perhaps the $299 price point doesn’t allow for higher-end materials or better performance, but ironically, the Gorilla Glass on my T-Rex 3 handled fingerprints far better. So did the Balance 1.In the end, I returned the Balance 2 and will likely return to Garmin. A lot of potential here, but too many compromises.