Latest news with #Active2Square
Mint
14 hours ago
- Mint
Amazfit Active 2 Square review: If the square fits, it's probably a hit
Soon after launching its round model, Amazfit introduced the Active 2 Square smartwatch. It features a 1.75-inch AMOLED screen, a built-in microphone for speaker and voice calls, GPS support, upgraded Heart Rate and Sleep Algorithms, runs on Zepp OS 5.0 (with Zepp Flow AI voice control), and boasts a compact square design. Fitness bands used to be all the rage, and now it is smartwatch mania. While Indian smartwatch manufacturers struggle, and tech giants like Apple and Samsung dominate the flagship category, there must be another company to fill the void. Could it be Amazfit? The brand offers smartwatches in all price ranges, but after using the Active 2 Square model, I can confidently say that it is one of the best in their lineup. That is, if you're on board with a 'square' smartwatch and some notification glitches. Luckily for me (and a majority of users), Amazfit is harking back to the days of fitness bands, albeit in a modern avatar, and laced with some artificial intelligence chops. It has the potential to be the new king in the mid-range smartwatch segment. A classic smartwatch A square design with an Apple touch to it, but one that doesn't look like a smartwatch at all. Yes, the Amazfit Active 2 Square comes with a square and compact design. It weighs just 31.4 grams with the strap and features a plethora of sensors, including an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a barometric altimeter, an accelerometer sensor, a 3-axis motion sensor, a barometer, ambient light sensor, temperature sensor, 24-hour heart rate monitor, and SpO2 sensor, all on the inside. There's a lightweight and interchangeable 20mm strap with a vegan leather finish. Inside the box, you also get a sports strap (made of skin-friendly material) that resembles the design of Apple products. Yes, I've gotten many questions while I've been out in public. The quality of the straps is excellent, and the case has a glossy aluminium finish, which attracts many fingerprints. The right side has two buttons. The top one is a function button—it wakes the watch, goes back, launches an app, pauses a workout, and more. Meanwhile, the other button lets you quickly start a workout and is also customisable. In the middle of the buttons is a microphone. On the left-hand side, you can spot the speaker grill. The watch has 5 ATM or 50 metres of water resistance. Yes, the smartwatch does look good, isn't chunky, but will split consumers. It's not one of those designs that many consumers will instantly be on board with. However, Amazfit also has a 'round' variant, which was released earlier and has almost all the same features. How does it perform? One of the USPs of the Amazfit watch is its 1.75-inch (390x450 pixels) AMOLED touch screen (with up to 2000 nits of peak brightness). It's a beautiful display that is suitable for use even in the harshest of Delhi summers. Sometimes, though, auto brightness doesn't work as intended and has to be manually adjusted. The display is protected by sapphire glass, and I've had some accidental knocks but no scratches. The Active 2 Square runs ZepOS 5 (the round watch should have also gotten the update) and aids the smartwatch in 24/7 health monitoring. The UI isn't the most glamorous, but it's easy to use and very intuitive. Best of all is that it is lag-free. With improved heart rate and sleep algorithms, as well as step counting, we consumers are happy campers. There's also an AI-powered Zepp Coach, which I didn't particularly care for, as well as Zepp Flow and other features. One downside of the software, and something I've complained about before about Amazfit smartwatches, is that notifications aren't always accurate. Sometimes they are delayed, sometimes the old Telegram notifications are repeated, and sometimes, when I remove a notification from my smartphone, it stays on the smartwatch. It also doesn't have the latest Bluetooth version. The smartwatch utilised the Zepp companion app, which is compatible with both Android and iOS. The Home tab is filled with all your essential details, and if you want to know more about your various workouts, simply jump to the Health tab. If you don't like the default watch face, then the face gallery will be your best friend. There are over 400+ different types of watch faces (which are free). The watch offers 164 workout modes, and even though I didn't use even 10% of them, I appreciated having them. The watch can even intelligently recognise eight exercise types and thereafter prompt you to engage in them, such as Outdoor Running, Indoor Walking, Outdoor Cycling, Rowing Machine, and more. Furthermore, the device features a built-in exercise timer and a workout plan generator. Real-time sports data tracking and analytical reports are available in the app. Some sports notifications can help identify the stages, conditions, and heart rate zones. Even when you're performing an outdoor activity, you get a plethora of data—distance, calories burnt, average speed, average pace, cadence, altitude, stride and more—which is all very useful. There are also five satellite GNSS systems, which means you don't need to carry your phone for outdoor activities. The GPS antenna (circularly polarised) helps lock into your location instantly and is pretty accurate. What I appreciated most is the option to sync data with Google Fit, Health Connect, Strava, Komoot, Relive, adidas Running, and other platforms. Even sleep tracking worked flawlessly. I got light and deep sleep, as well as data on awake time and REM sleep. There are also considerations, such as the respiratory rate, among others. It's good, valuable and insightful. For step counting and heart rate monitoring, the Active 2 Square performed admirably. It was pretty close to the readings on the Apple Watch and Google's Pixel Watch. Zepp Flow, the AI assistant from Amazfit powered by OpenAI, worked well and was just as advertised, but I didn't use it often. Zepp Coach, which is currently free, suggests daily workouts and customised training plans. There's also Zepp Aura, but then again, not much to my liking. It's a rest and wellness service, available for a monthly fee of ₹499 or an annual fee of ₹1,299. Let's talk battery life One of the major cons of buying a Google Pixel Watch, Apple Watch, or Samsung Galaxy Watch smartwatch is the extremely short battery life. You have to charge all of those after just a day of usage, or at max, two days. With the Active 2 Square's 260mAh battery, the company promises up to 10 days of normal usage and five days of heavy usage. This was pretty in sync with my readings. And when the smartwatch lasts that long, you really don't care about it taking two hours to charge fully after being dead. My only complaint is the charging dock. It's small and round, and no USB-C cable is included in the box. Luckily, it can connect to any USB Type-C port out there. There's no wireless charging, but not something I miss. Should you buy it? There are plenty of alternatives on the market, with the OnePlus 2R being the primary competitor. With that said, I was surprised at how well the Active 2 Square smartwatch performed after using it for a few weeks. It boasts a plethora of features, advanced-level tracking, a clear display, and a design that, if you like, you'll love even more after using it. At just Rs12,999, the Active 2 Square is a contender for your wallet's share. The Active 2 Square doesn't beat the likes of Garmin, Apple or Google, but in its price range, it's definitely at the top. It's a more than capable fitness-tracking smartwatch, with some niggles here and there. The only decisive factor will be whether you prefer the square design (a round option is also available, as I mentioned) and whether the smartwatch is too small for you.
Mint
24-07-2025
- Mint
Amazfit Active 2 Square review: 7 things you should know before buying
I had a preconceived notion about smartwatches, thinking of them as glorified step counter and fitness trackers. That changed since I started using the Amazfit Active 2 Square smartwatch. After using the smartwatch for 2 weeks during commute, running, cycling and even sleeping, I have a changed perspective. The design is not loud, the dial not too big, and the UI is not too complex. The positives are surely high, but there are some quirks too. These are the 8 things you should know before feeling impressed and buying the Amazfit Active 2 Square. The Active 2 Square goes for the classic Apple Watch-style square design, and it does it well. The stainless steel frame adds weight without feeling bulky, while the sapphire glass gives it a solid, scratch-resistant finish. The silicon strap is soft and snug enough for all-day wear, even during workouts. Amazfit Active 2 Square review The leather strap that comes with the alternate variant, however, feels cheaper than it looks and doesn't quite match the otherwise polished build. That said, nothing about this watch feels plasticky or flimsy. It holds up in work meetings and during morning runs. The design is clearly aimed at users who don't want something sporty or chunky screaming 'fitness tracker.' The 1.75-inch AMOLED screen is sharp (390x450 resolution) and impressively bright, especially outdoors. At up to 2,000 nits, it's easily readable under direct sunlight, even at medium brightness. I left the always-on display turned on the whole time and didn't notice a drastic dip in battery life, which is rare at this price. Amazfit Active 2 Square review The bezels are minimal, and there's just enough screen real estate for smooth navigation. Colours pop, text is crisp, and the UI animations feel fluid and snappy. Bluetooth 5.2 ensures steady connectivity, and pairing with both Android and iOS was painless. The Zepp app handled sync tasks like data transfers, notification mirroring, and even firmware updates went through without a hiccup. Surprisingly, notifications hit the watch before my phone a couple of times. No lag, no ghost connections. Amazfit Active 2 Square review Call controls, music playback, camera shutter support, all of it worked as expected. The UI is intuitive, and I didn't need to dig into menus for basic functions. It was refreshing to be able to reject calls on iPhone instead of staring aimlessly at the screen while getting a call. This isn't trying to be a lab-grade fitness monitor, but it's consistent and reassuring. Heart rate, SpO2, and respiratory data remained stable when cross-checked with my smart ring. I tried walking, cycling, and running modes. Each tracked distance, pace, and effort zones with decent accuracy. There are over 160 sports modes listed, including niche ones like pickleball and hyrox. Amazfit Active 2 Square review If you're a beginner or someone looking to track workouts without analysis paralysis, this setup works. Sleep tracking was mostly accurate, especially for sleep and wake-up times. Breathing rate and sleep quality summaries also aligned with my other devices. Amazfit claims 10 days of battery life under typical usage. I got around 8.5 days on average with moderate use and always-on display activated. That included daily fitness tracking, call alerts, and notifications. Charged it twice in a little more than two weeks and never worried about it dying mid-commute. It fully charges in under 2 hours, which adds to its convenience for busy routines. Beyond health tracking, the watch nails the everyday basics: timers, alarms, weather updates, reminders, and quick replies. The Zepp app doesn't go overboard with gimmicks, it just works. Custom watch faces, widgets, and shortcut toggles round things out nicely. No crashes, random bugs, or UI hiccups throughout my usage. It's not a smartwatch trying to be your phone, it's a watch that helps you stay informed and on track. The Amazfit Active 2 Square isn't trying to impress tech nerds or hardcore athletes. It's best suited for working professionals or fitness newbies who want a clean, reliable smartwatch that blends in at work and still tracks workouts. The design is muted, the feature set is well-rounded, and the battery life is dependable. Students may want to look elsewhere since this isn't aggressively priced. But if you're after something minimal yet capable, this watch hits a sweet spot.
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Business Standard
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Tech Wrap July 10: Samsung foldables, Sony WF-C710N, Alienware 16 Aurora
Samsung opens pre-bookings for Galaxy Z 7 series. Sony WF-C710N earbuds launched. Amazfit Active 2 Square smartwatch. JBL Tour Pro 3 launched. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series. Perplexity's 'Comet' BS Tech New Delhi Listen to This Article Samsung opens pre-bookings for Galaxy Z 7 series, Watch 8 series in India Samsung has begun taking pre-orders in India for its latest Galaxy Z7 series, which includes the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, along with the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic smartwatches. The complete lineup will be available for purchase in the country starting July 25. Sony has introduced its WF-C710N true wireless earbuds in the Indian market. These earbuds come equipped with the brand's active noise cancellation tech and AI-based improvements aimed at enhancing voice call clarity. They are available in several colours, including a new Glass Blue variant with a see-through finish. Dell has unveiled the Alienware 16 Aurora gaming laptop in India. Featuring Intel's Core Series 2 CPUs and NVIDIA's RTX 50 series graphics, the device is tailored for gaming performance with a slim and portable design. It includes Cryo-Chamber thermal tech to sustain high performance under load, with Dell stating the Aurora is built to handle modern AAA games. Ahead of the upcoming Prime Day event, Amazfit has released the Active 2 Square smartwatch in India. The device boasts a 1.75-inch AMOLED screen with sapphire glass and reaches up to 2,000 nits brightness. It claims a battery life of up to ten days on one charge. JBL has brought its Tour Pro 3 wireless earbuds to India. These earbuds come with the second-gen Smart Charging Case, allowing users to manage settings directly without needing their phone. Other features include adaptive ANC, 360 Spatial Audio with head tracking, and Hi-Res sound. Samsung introduced the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic at its Unpacked event on July 9. These new models offer improvements in design, health monitoring, and AI integration, and mark the first appearance of Google's Gemini assistant on Galaxy Watches. The series is powered by Wear OS 6 and Samsung's One UI 8 Watch. Perplexity has released Comet, an AI-integrated web browser built on Chromium. Comet uses Perplexity as its default search engine and includes agentic features capable of carrying out multi-step tasks. It allows users to summarise content, translate text, and perform contextual actions without leaving the browser. Samsung's latest foldables—Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE—were introduced during the Galaxy Unpacked event. The devices showcase new AI tools while also upgrading those from previous models. According to Samsung, the latest devices have been redesigned with AI at the core. Google's July Pixel update enhances the Circle to Search feature with Gemini AI and brings Gemini to Wear OS smartwatches. The rollout also integrates Veo 3 into the Gemini AI Pro bundle. Samsung's Unpacked event confirmed similar features for One UI 8 Watch, and Google is now expanding the update to brands like OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi. Samsung has launched One UI 8, based on Android 16, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. The new interface includes enhanced privacy controls, upgraded AI capabilities, and tools optimised for foldable devices. One UI 8 Watch, built on Wear OS 6, also debuted with the Galaxy Watch 8 series. Garmin has revealed that select smartwatch models now support the Google Maps app. This allows users to access directions directly from their wrist. Once a destination is entered on Google Maps using an Android phone, users receive real-time turn alerts on their Garmin watch during walking, running, or cycling. The app is free via ConnectIQ and supports models like Venu, Forerunner, Vívoactive, and Fenix. According to a Reuters-based report from 9To5Google, OpenAI is planning to launch its own AI-enabled web browser by the end of July. Unlike browsers that rely on extensions, this one would have AI built-in to handle tasks like booking tickets, summarising content, and more — all based on simple user commands. Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, introducing a book-style foldable with a slimmer profile, new materials for durability, and advanced Galaxy AI features. It is an all-round upgrade over the predecessor with a bigger and broader display on both the cover and on the inside. But, there is a critical omission from the package – the Spen function has been skipped. Here is all you need to know: Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Flip 7 Fan Edition (FE) at its Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event on July 9. This marks the company's first fan-edition model in its foldable smartphone lineup, offering a more accessible version of its premium flip phone experience. Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 7 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9, introducing a larger FlexWindow cover screen, new Galaxy AI features, and a more powerful battery to its flip-style model. The smartphone is powered by Samsung Exynos 2500 and brings a blend of productivity and portability with a refreshed design. Apple is reportedly preparing a new version of its Vision Pro headset. As per Bloomberg, the next model will feature the powerful M4 chip, already found in the latest iPad Pro, along with a redesigned head strap to improve comfort during extended wear. The OnePlus Buds 4 offer premium features at a budget-friendly price. They perform well in terms of ANC, audio quality, and battery life. However, call clarity in noisy settings needs improvement, and the AI-based translation functions appear to be in early stages of development. Amazon is reportedly considering expanding its investment in AI firm Anthropic, as reported by The Financial Times. This move could build on its previous $8 billion commitment made in November last year. The global race for AI talent is intensifying. Rather than focusing solely on hardware, companies are now spending heavily to secure top AI researchers. Meta reportedly offered $100 million sign-on bonuses to lure talent, including Apple executive Ruoming Pang. OpenAI leadership likened the situation to a break-in, reflecting concerns over poaching. As it implements large-scale layoffs, Microsoft is spotlighting how AI is transforming its operations. According to Bloomberg, Chief Commercial Officer Judson Althoff recently highlighted AI's growing role in boosting productivity across the company during an internal presentation. Meta has hired Apple's former AI lead, Ruoming Pang, offering a compensation package said to be worth more than $200 million over several years. Bloomberg reports the deal is part of Meta's strategy to build its Superintelligence division. Apple reportedly did not match the offer, which far exceeds typical executive pay. Mark Zuckerberg is on a recruitment spree, extending offers worth up to $100 million to AI experts for roles in his Superintelligence Labs. The division aims to create AI software that surpasses human intelligence, and high-profile scientists are being approached directly to join the mission.
Mint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Amazfit Active 2 Square smartwatch launched in India with exciting Prime Day sale offer
Amazfit finally announces the Active 2 Square smartwatch in India, just a few weeks after its global debut. It is a mid-range smartwatch, offering advanced health and fitness tracking features. Unlike other smartphones, the Active 2 Square features a square design with sapphire glass, giving a unique yet vintage look. With the new Amazfit addition, buyers can get access to popular features such as Bluetooth calling, BioTracker, advanced sensors, satellite systems, and much more. Alongside the smartwatch's intuitive features, Amazfit is announcing an exclusive Amazon Prime Day sale offer, where buyers can get the Active 2 Square at a 50% discount. The Amazfit Active 2 Square features a 1.75-inch AMOLED display with sapphire glass and a stainless steel frame. The display offers up to 2000nits peak brightness, and it also comes with an ambient light sensor for adequate display brightness in different lighting conditions. For the health tracking matrix, the smartphone features dual-LED BioTracker 6.0 PPG and advanced sensors like Barometer, accelerometer, and gyroscope for activity tracking. The Amazfit Active 2 Square smartwatch also supports female health tracking with the app. It helps track menstrual and hormonal cycles for females to keep their health in check. It also provides readiness Score on a daily basis and HRV-based recovery data. Additionally, the smartwatch offers more than 160 sports modes that include HYROX Race Mode, smart strength training, and more with Smart Recognition. It also enables users to create to-do lists, set calendar reminders, call notifications, and sedentary reminders. Lastly, the Active 2 Square offers up to 10 days of battery life, and it offers 5 ATM water resistance. It runs on Zepp OS 5 and supports Zepp Flow AI voice control. The Amazfit Active 2 Square is originally priced at Rs.25999 in India. It will be available to purchase in online and offline stores. However, Amazon Prime members could get early access to book the smartwatch today, July 10, on Amazon. Additionally, during the Amazon Prime Day sale, from July 12 to July 14, the Amazfit Active 2 Square will be available at just Rs.12999. Therefore, buyers can avail 50% discount on the newly launched smartwatch.
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Business Standard
17-06-2025
- Business Standard
Amazfit unveils Active 2 Square smartwatch with 160 sports modes: Details
Chinese wearable brand Amazfit has launched the Active 2 Square smartwatch, a square-faced version of its recently introduced Active 2 model. Designed for users who prefer a geometric aesthetic, the smartwatch retains the same specifications as its round counterpart while offering a distinct visual identity. It is available with a black strap and an additional red strap. Amazfit Active 2 Square: Price and availability Amazfit Active 2 Square: Details The smartwatch features a 1.75-inch sapphire glass AMOLED display housed in a stainless-steel frame, delivering a peak brightness of 2,000 nits for clear visibility in bright conditions. Its square form factor offers a wider viewing area and easier access to messages, health data, and fitness metrics. It is equipped with the BioTracker 6.0 PPG sensor for improved biometric signal detection, PulsePrecision algorithm for enhanced heart rate tracking, and RestoreIQ for sleep monitoring. The smartwatch also includes a barometer, ambient light sensor, and a new skiing mode. Users can interact with the watch using Zepp Flow voice commands to manage settings or calendars. Android users can reply to messages using a keyboard or speech-to-text. Battery life is rated up to 10 days. Fitness and wellness features Dynamic fitness modes: Offers over 160 sports modes, including HYROX Race Mode, smart strength training with automatic rep counting, and new winter sport options like skiing. Offline maps with turn-by-turn guidance: Enables navigation through preloaded maps and routes with live direction support. Female wellness: The mini app provides personalised insights based on menstrual and hormonal cycles. Zepp Coach: Offers custom training and running plans for users across fitness levels.
