The Amazfit Cheetah Pro has made a name for itself among the best sport watches, but does its successor, the Cheetah 2 Pro, bring worthwhile improvements? We delve into this question with our comprehensive review.
Amazfit has consistently delivered excellent value for money in the smartwatch market, and the Cheetah Pro was among the top choices under 300 Euros, combining sport and smart features effectively. The Cheetah 2 Pro enters the market targeting runners, boasting enhancements like dual-band GPS, route navigation, a longer battery life, and an array of training functions. However, with a recommended retail price of 450 Euros, it comes with a significant price increase.
Design & Comfort
The Cheetah 2 Pro features a modern and sculpted design, drifting away from the round edge of its predecessor. Instead of a rotating crown, there are four rectangular side buttons. The Titan alloy bezel occupies less space, placing greater emphasis on the display, which now has minimal bezels.
The watch strap has also seen a change; opting for a classic silicone band with a metal buckle instead of the previous fabric strap with Velcro. The choice between the two largely depends on personal preference. Overall, the Cheetah 2 Pro’s strap is visually appealing and well-crafted. Notably, the watch is waterproof up to 5 ATM, making it suitable for swimming.
Weighing just 45.2 grams, the Cheetah 2 Pro offers a comfortable fit on the wrist, similar in size to the Garmin Fenix 7 at 48 × 48 × 15.6 mm. It feels substantial without being overly bulky, ensuring a good user experience even during sleep.
Display Quality
For the display, Amazfit made a surprising decision to reduce its size from 1.45 inches with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 to 1.32 inches with sapphire glass. This reduction comes with a slightly lower resolution of 466 × 466 pixels. However, the brightness has been ramped up to a maximum of 3,000 nits.
This boost in brightness significantly enhances visibility, making the display easy to read even in direct sunlight. Conversely, setting the brightness to maximum can cause the screen to glare in low-light conditions.
Setup & Usability
For initial setup, users can download the Amazfit Zepp App and connect the Cheetah 2 Pro via Bluetooth to their smartphones. A brief tutorial introduces key functions and controls. Users can also update the smartwatch’s firmware immediately.
Usability is seamless with touch input and the four side buttons functioning reliably. While the lack of a rotating crown may require some adjustment for those accustomed to that feature, users typically find the transition easy.
Training & Fitness Features
Specifically aimed at runners, the Cheetah 2 Pro offers over 170 sports modes, catering to various athletic disciplines. Different data profiles correspond to specific activities—recording more than just duration and calorie counts. Metrics like VO2-Max and training load offer a deeper analysis of performance.
Additionally, the smartwatch can automatically recognize eight different sports types and 25 strength training exercises. Though there might be a slight delay in detecting activities, manual logging of missed exercises within the app is a viable solution.
The integrated GPS module boasts dual-band technology, compatible with six satellite systems, ensuring impressive accuracy. It also offers offline maps, real-time directions, and point-to-point route planning. During testing, the accuracy was commendable, often surpassing competitor models such as the Garmin Fenix 7.
Battery Life and Pricing
The battery boasts a capacity of 520 mAh, promising up to 20 days with typical use and around 10 days under intensive conditions. Our tests confirmed the watch’s impressive longevity, lasting approximately 17 days under varied usage, making it a strong contender in battery life.
Priced at around 450 Euros, the Cheetah 2 Pro commands a steep increase over its predecessor. It is available exclusively in black with a silver titanium bezel.
Conclusion
The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro indeed represents a meaningful advancement over the Cheetah Pro, particularly for those seeking high-end navigation features and extended battery life. While it may fall slightly short when compared directly to the Garmin Forerunner 570 in specialized running features, it exceeds in terms of battery longevity and unique offerings like the Hyrox-Race mode.
For users prioritizing an efficient sports watch with robust navigation and formidable battery life—not necessarily needing a comprehensive running ecosystem—Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is an excellent choice. However, those seeking extensive running analytics may find better insights with the Garmin Forerunner 570.
