Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra Smartwatch Review: A Premium Off-Road Performer

Zepp Health, the company behind the Amazfit brand, has made wise decisions with its push into smartwatches, including catering to the hybrid fitness crowd early on. It remains one of the few smartwatch brands to offer dedicated modes for Hyrox training and racing. Zepp Health's main draw is offering desirable features at a lower cost than the competition.

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra, the company's most expensive model yet, still undercuts Garmin, Suunto, and Apple despite dipping into the premium end of the smartwatch market. The Cheetah 2 Ultra is designed for trail runners, monitoring more than just pace, time, and distance. It features multi-band GPS, detailed color maps, and trail-running-centric data, with 80 hours of battery life in ultra-trail-running mode.

The Cheetah 2 Ultra costs nearly $600, which is not typical for Amazfit smartwatches. The next priciest model, the T-Rex 3, is roughly $200 cheaper but has less battery life and storage space. The Amazfit range is already extensive, with the T-Rex meeting similar needs for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts.

While the Cheetah 2 Ultra's design is not a Garmin Fenix clone, it's clear that it draws inspiration from a similar design playbook. Why this matters: The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra's arrival has significant implications for the smartwatch industry, particularly for trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts. By offering advanced features at a lower price point than competitors, Zepp Health is poised to capture a larger share of the market.

For developers and businesses, this means increased competition and pressure to innovate. For consumers, the Cheetah 2 Ultra provides a more affordable option for those seeking a high-end smartwatch with specialized features. However, questions remain about the device's long-term durability and the impact of Zepp Health's premium pricing strategy on its brand identity.

As the smartwatch market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Amazfit and other brands adapt to changing consumer demands and technological advancements.