If you are comparing the Amazfit Balance 3 vs Apple Watch Series 12, the biggest difference is easy to spot: battery life.
The Amazfit Balance 3 is built around long battery life, GPS navigation, fitness tracking, recovery data, and outdoor use. Apple Watch Series 12 takes a different approach, with a stronger focus on health features, iPhone integration, cellular connectivity, safety tools, and smartwatch functions.
So which one makes more sense for you?
In this Amazfit Balance 3 vs Apple Watch Series 12 comparison, we will look at battery life, health tracking, GPS accuracy and navigation, fitness features, smart features, compatibility, display, and everyday use.
Amazfit Balance 3 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Amazfit Balance 3 | Apple Watch Series 12 |
| Battery life | Up to 21 days typical use | Up to 24 hours normal use |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS, 6 satellite systems | Precision L1 GPS |
| Offline maps | Yes | Yes |
| Turn-by-turn navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Display | 1.5-inch AMOLED, sapphire glass | Always-On Retina OLED |
| Health tracking | Heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen, stress, sleep and more | Heart rate, HRV, ECG, blood oxygen, sleep and more |
| Fitness | 180+ sports modes | Advanced workout tracking |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 50 meters |
| Cellular | Bluetooth calling | GPS + Cellular option |
| App | Zepp App | Apple Health and watchOS apps |
| Phone compatibility | Android and iPhone | iPhone only |
Check the Current Prices
If you want to check the current price before comparing the two watches, you can use the links below.
Amazfit Balance 3 on Amazon: See Amazfit Balance 3 Latest Price on Amazon
Amazfit Balance 3 on AliExpress: See Amazfit Balance 3 Latest Price on AliExpress
Apple Watch Series 12 on Amazon: See Apple Watch Series 12 Latest Price on Amazon
Apple Watch Series 12 on AliExpress: See Apple Watch Series 12 Latest Price on AliExpress
Prices, availability, colors, configurations, and seller offers can change, so check the product page before buying.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Amazfit Balance 3 vs Apple Watch Series 12 Battery Life
Image Source: Amazon
Battery life is one of the clearest differences between these two smartwatches.
Amazfit Balance 3 is rated for up to 21 days of typical use. It can also provide much longer battery life than Apple Watch Series 12 during normal everyday use, depending on the settings and features you use.
Apple Watch Series 12 is rated for up to 24 hours of normal use, with Low Power Mode extending the battery life further.
If you are looking for a smartwatch with long battery life, the Balance 3 has a major advantage on paper.
For example, if you are going on a weekend trip, hiking trip, or long training session, the Balance 3 gives you much more battery headroom.
Apple Watch Series 12 takes a different approach. Its shorter battery life comes with a larger collection of smartwatch, health, safety, and iPhone-connected features.
Amazfit Balance 3 vs Apple Watch Series 12 Health Tracking
Both watches offer a large number of health and wellness features, but they organize that information differently.
The Amazfit Balance 3 can monitor heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, HRV and other health metrics. It also includes recovery-focused features such as HybridCharge and RestoreIQ.
Apple Watch Series 12 has a broader set of health-related functions. It includes heart rate monitoring, HRV measurements, ECG, sleep tracking, wrist temperature sensing, cycle tracking and the Vitals app.
Apple Watch Series 12 also includes readiness-related features that use recent activity, sleep and health information.
If your search is focused on advanced health tracking, Apple Watch Series 12 offers a wider range of health tools.
The Amazfit Balance 3 still covers many of the health and fitness metrics most users look for, while also offering much longer battery life.
GPS and Navigation
GPS is another area where the Amazfit Balance 3 stands out.
The Balance 3 uses dual-band positioning with six satellite systems. It supports offline maps, turn-by-turn directions and automatic rerouting.
This is useful for runners, hikers, cyclists and people who spend time outdoors.
Apple Watch Series 12 includes Precision L1 GPS and supports offline maps and route-related navigation features.
If you are specifically searching for the best GPS smartwatch for hiking or outdoor workouts, both watches offer useful navigation tools.
The Balance 3 puts more emphasis on long outdoor use and battery endurance, while Apple Watch Series 12 combines GPS with Apple’s wider navigation and safety ecosystem.
Related comparison
If you are also comparing other premium fitness watches, check out:
Galaxy Watch 9 vs Garmin Fenix 9 Pro
Fitness Tracking and Workout Features
The Amazfit Balance 3 supports more than 180 sports modes. It also includes HYROX training tools, running plans, running power, virtual pacing and support for external fitness sensors.
It can also connect with fitness platforms such as Strava, TrainingPeaks and Intervals.icu.
Apple Watch Series 12 also has a strong fitness feature set. It supports heart rate zones, training load, Pacer, VO2 max, cadence, running power and several workout features.
This means both watches can work well as fitness trackers.
If you want a long-lasting fitness watch with many sports modes and outdoor features, the Balance 3 has a strong feature set.
If you want a smartwatch that combines fitness tracking with iPhone apps, notifications, calls and cellular connectivity, Apple Watch Series 12 offers a different experience.
Display and Design
Amazfit Balance 3 has a 1.5-inch AMOLED display protected by sapphire glass. It is designed to remain easy to read during outdoor use.
Apple Watch Series 12 uses an Always-On Retina display. The 46mm aluminum version is available with a black aluminum case and black Sport Band configuration.
The two watches also have different designs.
Balance 3 has a round watch design, while Apple Watch Series 12 uses Apple’s rectangular case design.
If you prefer a traditional round smartwatch, the Amazfit may be more appealing. If you already use Apple devices, the Apple Watch design and interface may feel more familiar.
Smart Features and Connectivity
This is one of the biggest differences between the two watches.
The GPS + Cellular version of Apple Watch Series 12 can make calls, send messages, receive notifications and stream music without the iPhone nearby when cellular service is properly configured.
Amazfit Balance 3 supports Bluetooth calling and works with both Android and iPhone.
The Balance 3 uses the Zepp App to manage health, fitness and watch data.
For someone using an Android phone, this difference is important.
Apple Watch Series 12 is designed for iPhone users. Amazfit Balance 3 is a cross-platform smartwatch.
Apple Watch Series 12 Health and Safety Features
Apple Watch Series 12 also includes several safety features.
These include Emergency SOS, Fall Detection, Crash Detection and other safety tools.
The watch can also provide notifications related to heart rate and other health measurements, depending on feature availability and region.
The Apple Watch is closely connected to the iPhone, which also makes it useful for notifications, apps, calls, payments and other everyday tasks.
Amazfit Balance 3 Outdoor Features
The Balance 3 is designed with outdoor use in mind.
It has dual-band GPS, offline maps, automatic rerouting, turn-by-turn navigation, a 1.5-inch AMOLED screen, sapphire glass, a built-in flashlight and 10 ATM water resistance.
Its long battery life is also useful for sleep tracking, travel and long outdoor workouts.
Another smartwatch comparison worth reading
If you are comparing Apple Watch models with Garmin’s outdoor-focused watches, you may also want to read:
Apple Watch Ultra 4 vs Garmin Fenix 9 Pro
Which One Has Better Battery Life?
The battery ratings are very different.
Amazfit Balance 3: up to 21 days of typical use.
Apple Watch Series 12: up to 24 hours of normal use.
Actual battery life depends on GPS use, display settings, health monitoring, notifications and other features.
For frequent travelers, runners and outdoor users, the Balance 3’s longer battery life can be useful.
Check Amazfit Balance 3 Price
If the long battery life and outdoor GPS features are what you are looking for, check the latest price here:
Amazon: See Amazfit Balance 3 Latest Price on Amazon
AliExpress: See Amazfit Balance 3 Latest Price on AliExpress
Which One Has Better Health Features?
Apple Watch Series 12 offers a broader selection of health features, including ECG, HRV, sleep tracking, wrist temperature sensing, cycle tracking and the Vitals app.
Amazfit Balance 3 covers many of the everyday metrics people expect from a health and fitness smartwatch, including heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, HRV and recovery data.
If your priority is a wider range of health features and deep iPhone integration, Apple Watch Series 12 has more options.
If your priority is health tracking combined with long battery life and outdoor fitness features, Balance 3 offers a different balance.
Which One Should You Buy?
The choice between Amazfit Balance 3 vs Apple Watch Series 12 depends heavily on your phone and what you need from a smartwatch.
Choose Amazfit Balance 3 if you want:
- Very long battery life
- Dual-band GPS
- Offline maps
- Outdoor navigation
- 180+ sports modes
- Recovery and training features
- AMOLED display with sapphire glass
- Android and iPhone compatibility
- Long workout and travel battery life
Choose Apple Watch Series 12 if you want:
- Strong iPhone integration
- Advanced health features
- ECG and health notifications
- Detailed fitness features
- GPS + Cellular connectivity
- Emergency and safety features
- Apple apps and services
- Siri AI features
- Fast charging
Check Current Prices Before Buying
Amazfit Balance 3
Amazon: See Amazfit Balance 3 Latest Price on Amazon
AliExpress: See Amazfit Balance 3 Latest Price on AliExpress
Apple Watch Series 12
Apple Watch Series 12 on Amazon: See Apple Watch Series 12 Latest Price on Amazon
Apple Watch Series 12 on AliExpress: See Apple Watch Series 12 Latest Price on AliExpress
Amazfit Balance 3 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Final Comparison
The Amazfit Balance 3 and Apple Watch Series 12 are designed around different priorities.
Balance 3 focuses heavily on battery endurance, GPS navigation, outdoor workouts, recovery tracking and sports features.
Apple Watch Series 12 puts more attention on health tracking, iPhone integration, safety, cellular connectivity and smartwatch functions.
Before buying, check phone compatibility first. Apple Watch Series 12 is designed for iPhone, while Amazfit Balance 3 supports both Android and iPhone.
If battery life and outdoor GPS are your main priorities, the Balance 3 is worth considering.
If you want a connected smartwatch with a wider range of Apple health, safety and iPhone features, Series 12 is worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazfit Balance 3 better than Apple Watch Series 12 for battery life?
Amazfit Balance 3 has a much longer stated battery life. Amazfit rates it for up to 21 days of typical use, while Apple rates Series 12 for up to 24 hours of normal use.
Does Amazfit Balance 3 have GPS?
Yes. Balance 3 supports dual-band positioning, six satellite systems, offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation and automatic rerouting.
Does Apple Watch Series 12 have GPS?
Yes. Apple Watch Series 12 includes GPS and supports offline maps and route features.
Can Amazfit Balance 3 work with iPhone?
Yes. Amazfit Balance 3 supports iPhone through the Zepp App.
Can Apple Watch Series 12 work with Android?
No. Apple Watch Series 12 is designed for iPhone and does not work as a normal Android-compatible smartwatch.
Does Amazfit Balance 3 have offline maps?
Yes. Balance 3 supports offline maps and outdoor navigation.
How long does Apple Watch Series 12 battery last?
Apple rates Series 12 for up to 24 hours of normal use. Low Power Mode can extend battery life.
Does Amazfit Balance 3 require a subscription?
The core Zepp App features for Balance 3 are available without requiring a subscription for basic health and fitness tracking.
Which smartwatch is better for outdoor workouts?
Both watches support outdoor workouts. Balance 3 has dual-band GPS, offline maps and a much longer stated battery life, while Apple Watch Series 12 combines GPS with Apple’s fitness, health and safety features.
Which smartwatch is better for iPhone users?
Both can work with iPhone, but Apple Watch Series 12 is built around the Apple ecosystem. Amazfit Balance 3 is also useful for people who want one watch that can work across Android and iPhone.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
