With the calendar about to flip to a new year, Amazfit is seizing the moment to launch its latest fitness smartwatch, the Amazfit Active Max. The timing couldn’t be more perfect: as people everywhere start scribbling down their annual resolutions, many with renewed determination to get fit, Amazfit’s new wearable arrives promising to be the ideal companion for those goals. But does the Active Max really offer the right blend of features, battery life, and ease-of-use to stand out in a crowded market?
According to Gadgets & Wearables, the Amazfit Active Max hit the market on December 30, 2025, with a retail price of £169 in the UK (and about 170 euros or Swiss francs elsewhere). The device is available directly from the company’s website and will be rolling out to additional markets in January 2026. Positioned above the Bip 6 and standard Active models but just below the T-Rex line, the Active Max is aimed squarely at users who want more than a basic step counter but don’t need a full-blown professional sports watch.
The first thing that jumps out about the Active Max is its display. The 1.5-inch AMOLED screen boasts a crisp 480x480 resolution and a dazzling peak brightness of 3,000 nits—matching what you’d find on the Apple Watch Ultra, as noted by Digitec Galaxus. This means you’ll have no trouble checking your stats in bright sunlight or glancing at your wrist mid-workout, whether you’re running in the park or hiking up a mountain trail. The screen sits flush with the top glass layer, giving it a modern, uncluttered look, and there’s no distracting bezel to break up the visuals.
Build quality is another strong suit. The watch features a brushed silver aluminum alloy case that measures 48.5 x 48.5 x 12.2 mm and weighs in at 56 grams with the strap, according to Gadgets & Wearables. (Digitec Galaxus reported a slightly lighter weight of around 40 grams, likely due to regional model differences or measurement standards.) The two prominent metal buttons on the right side are designed with a slight cutout to help prevent accidental presses during intense workouts. The strap itself is a basic black silicone band with a matte finish, paired with a standard metal buckle and quick-release pins for easy swapping.
Battery life is where the Active Max really flexes its muscles. Zepp Health, Amazfit’s parent company, claims up to 25 days of battery life with standard daily use, about 13-14 days with heavy use, and up to 64 hours with continuous GPS tracking enabled. Even with the always-on display, users can expect up to 10 days between charges. For those who love mapping their runs or hikes, the GPS performance is powered by the Airoha AG3352B chip and a Huami-grade antenna setup, ensuring reliable location tracking and up to 64 hours of continuous operation. Charging is handled via a magnetic dock (though, curiously, no cable is included in the box), and a full top-up takes about two hours.
When it comes to sports and activity tracking, the Active Max is no slouch. The device supports over 160 sports modes, from running and cycling to more niche activities. Many features are automated, making it easy for beginners and casual users to dive in without a steep learning curve. For example, the watch can automatically detect certain workouts, set optimal heart rate zones based on your real-time data, and even warn you if you exceed those zones during exercise. It can also create running and hiking routes automatically, pause tracking when you take a break, and resume when you’re ready to go again.
All of this data is funneled into Amazfit’s app, where users can review detailed metrics such as training results, training load, recovery progress, sleep quality, and heart rate variability. One standout feature is the BioCharge score, which distills all these factors into a single indicator of your current energy level. As Digitec Galaxus puts it, this approach is meant to help users understand at a glance how ready they are for their next workout or if they should focus on recovery instead.
Health tracking is comprehensive, with the watch monitoring heart rate, SpO2 (blood oxygen), heart rate variability, stress, sleep stages, and more. The optical sensor bump on the underside of the watch does protrude slightly, but it’s a small price to pay for such a broad suite of sensors. Recovery insights and AI-powered training suggestions round out the fitness package, catering to both those just starting their fitness journey and more seasoned athletes looking for actionable feedback.
As a smartwatch, the Active Max covers all the basics and then some. It features a microphone and speaker for hands-free calls, Bluetooth 5.3 for stable pairing with headphones or accessories like the Amazfit Helio Strap and Ring, and 4GB of onboard storage for music and podcasts. You can preload audio content and listen directly from the watch, freeing you from your smartphone during workouts. The device also supports NFC payments in certain regions (EMEA), using the Zepp Pay system, and offers offline maps for navigation—crucial for outdoor adventurers who might find themselves off the grid.
Integration with popular fitness platforms is a breeze. The Active Max syncs with Strava, Komoot, Google Fit, adidas Running, and Health Connect, making it easy to keep all your data in one place or share your progress with friends and coaches. The Zepp Health app ecosystem provides a range of mini-apps, from podcast players to timers, further extending the watch’s utility beyond fitness tracking.
Despite its many strengths, there are a few caveats. The watch lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, which means all syncing must happen via Bluetooth. And while the device boasts strengthened glass, it doesn’t use the sapphire glass found on Amazfit’s more premium models, like the Active 2. Some users may also miss the included charging cable, though the magnetic dock is simple to use once you get your hands on the right cable.
In sum, the Amazfit Active Max is a compelling option for anyone looking to kickstart their fitness journey in the new year—or simply upgrade their current wearable. With its bright display, robust battery life, automated training tools, and comprehensive health tracking, it manages to balance power and simplicity in a way that should appeal to both beginners and more experienced users. As the world gears up for another round of resolutions, Amazfit’s latest offering looks set to help many people stay on track—at least until next year’s goals come around.