Most recently, we reviewed an updated version of the national fitness tracker from Xiaomi. But this is not the only gadget of its kind in the assortment of the Chinese giant. Remember, last year we wrote about Amazfit? Surprisingly beautiful device finally fell into our hands, and today we will tell more about it.
Unlike many other devices announced by Xiaomi, this gadget did not receive branded packaging and Mi. Probably because of somewhat different positioning: Amazfit is a premium product. Therefore, everything related to the device being viewed today bears his name, and not the name of the manufacturer. And it’s not surprising. About Huami in Russia have heard a few. Although she developed the popular fitness trackers and scales Xiaomi, microchip pedometer for sneakers company Li-Ning (also included in the Mi-collection) and many other smart accessories, the Russian market has not yet appeared.
Package Contents and Appearance
Amazfit is very different from other Xiaomi products. This can be seen already on the packaging of the tracker – a bright black case that hints at the fact that we have a premium device. Inside is a convenient tray with a trekker-bagel made of zirconium oxide. There’s also a wireless charger hidden.
The ceramic case (yes, zirconium oxide – ceramics, which is used to make dentures and internal surfaces of jet nozzles and space rockets) visually and to the touch seamless, although in fact it is prefabricated. There are no connectors, because the charging uses an induction charger, and for synchronization – Bluetooth.
There are two Amazfit color schemes: Moon Beam (often called Moon Frost) with a milky-white case and a golden buckle and a black Equator. There are also two versions of the bracelet: a regular strap made of beige leatherette and a polyurethane Equator that runs along the diameter of the ring with electronics. The first option is suitable exclusively for women, but the second – unisex.
The attachment holding the main part consists of two rings which are closed by a latch. The design resembles a buckle of jewelry bracelets. Accidental opening during walking is excluded, but with unsuccessful contact with some objects everything is possible.
Ease of use
And the tracker separately, and the entire system with the strap is very light: all together weighs only 15 grams. Due to this, the device does not interfere and is practically not felt on the hand. Skin replacement is surprisingly well worn. The case of Amazfit is made according to the IP68 standard, so you can wash your hands and even take a shower in the bracelet. True, the latter very quickly removes the leather strap, it will take Equator.
Autonomy of the device is not comparable with the autonomy of the Mi Band, but the need for daily charging is not available. Inside the case is a battery with a capacity of 15 mAh, which is enough for a week of full-time work (under the passport – up to 10 days). Full charge from the complete charger will take a little over an hour.
Functionality
In this regard, Amazfit is similar to the Mi Band of the first version. Functions here are basic for any fitness tracker:
- Activity monitoring: steps, calories, distance traveled, a separate running mode and tracking the route when interacting with the GPS sensor of the smartphone.
- Sleep monitoring.
- Clever alarm clock.
- Notifications of incoming calls.
Also, the possibility of controlling home appliances using a special protocol is announced. Unfortunately, due to the lack of devices with support for any specific control methods, this claim could not be verified.
Sync and app
To work Amazfit you need a smartphone with the Android operating system (above 4.2). The description asserts that it is possible to work with iOS (above 7), but it was not possible to find the corresponding application. A prerequisite is Bluetooth 4.0.
The data collected by the bracelet is synchronized with the proprietary Amazfit application, which can be installed using the QR code from the instruction. (The application from the Google store turned out to be completely unsuitable.) The link will lead to a Chinese site where you can download the APK file.
The application is available only in Chinese or English. However, the interface is intuitive, and a small number of functions of the device will not allow to get confused in the pictograms. In addition, by default the application is launched in English.
The logic of the work is similar to Mi Fit, so even with the earlier version of the application in Chinese it is quite possible to adjust (English will need to be set manually). The latest version of the application immediately activates the English menu, offers to log in via Facebook and specify biometric data: height, weight, gender, age. By the way, you can immediately set up synchronization with Apple Health (if, of course, the device allows).
The main screen shows the day’s achievements and the activity tape. Using a pair of tapas, you can see the statistics of the achievement of goals (how many consecutive days you did what you need), the average number of steps per day and total sleep time. You can also set up alarm clocks. For training there is a running mode. It compiles the traversed route taking into account the time and distance.
Alarming notifications: by default, only one option is available – vibration alerts. It works only for incoming calls.
conclusions
Of course, Amazfit is very beautiful. The device looks catchy, interesting and, unlike competitors, can act as a fashion accessory with an additional set of functions. Unfortunately, this is its main drawback: the design increases the cost of the device and displays Amazfit in a different price category. At the time of publication, the cheapest version of Moon Beam – without fuss with Taobao – cost $ 60. A more sporty Equator sold for $ 80.
If you need functionality at the lowest price, choose a more affordable Mi Band and its counterparts. But as a gift, perhaps, it is worth considering specifically Amazfit: he will definitely like the girls.
