Amazfit, maker of the rugged Amazfit T-Rex 2 outdoor sports watch, has released a new slimline fitness tracker to rival the Garmin Vivosmart 5. The Amazfit Band 7 has a similarly slender design, but is able to track well over 100 different activities, and is a third of the price.
Perhaps the most striking difference between the two devices, however, is the display. While the Garmin Vivosmart 5 has a monochrome OLED display with a resolution of 88 x 154 pixels, the Amazfit Band 7 has a full color AMOLED screen with a resolution of 198 x 368. That means it's capable of showing far more data at once, with smoother, clearer text.
The Band 7 also offers all-day heart rate, stress, and SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) monitoring, plus sleep tracking with the ability to measure light, deep, and REM sleep. Unlike many other fitness trackers and even many of the best GPS watches, the Band 7 will also be able to detect naps and factor these into your rest and recovery scores.
Automatic workout tracking
The Amazfit Band 7 can automatically detect four different activities. and begin tracking them without any input from you (running, walking, using an elliptical trainer, and using an indoor rowing machine).
It's worth bearing in mind, however, that while Amazfit offers 120 activity tracking modes, not all of these will collect stats specific to that particular form of exercise. Many will simply record time and heart rate (which the device can use to estimate calories burned).
Also note that the Band 7, like most slim fitness trackers, doesn't have its own GPS module. Instead, it 'piggybacks' on your phone, meaning it's necessary to carry your handset it you want to track your route and pace during outdoor workouts. This type of GPS (known as connected GPS) also tends to be less accurate. If that's a dealbreaker, you're better off considering a device like the Fitbit Charge 5.
The Amazfit Band 7 offers a lot for its very modest price tag though, and if your budget won't stretch to one of the best Garmin watches and you're looking for a watch that will keep tabs on your wellbeing rather than push your limits, it could be the one for you.
