Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro Review: The running watch for those who mean business

Launched in April 2026, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is a full-fledged running watch with a titanium case, 3,000-nit display and a range of functions that will make even Garmin fans think twice. That comes at a price… and also a few catches. How does the smartwatch perform in practice? Compared to the much cheaper Amazfit Active Max (our test). Find out in our Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro test.

Technical data of the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro

Product name	Cheetah 2 Pro
Operating system compatibility	Android and iOS
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, BLE, GPS (dual band and 6 satellite positioning systems), NFC, WiFi 2.4 GHz
Features	BioTracker 6.0 PPG biometric sensor (5PD + 2LED), acceleration, gyroscope, ambient light, geomagnetic field, temperature, barometric altimeter
Display	AMOLED (1.32 inch, 466 x 466 pixels, 353 PPI) up to 3,000 nits
Battery life	up to 20 days
Dimensions (H x W x D)	48 x 48 x 15.6 mm
weight	5.6 g (without wristband)
Water resistance level	5 ATM
price	€ 449.90 *

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro test: design and workmanship

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is a real running watch with premium aspirations. The case and the middle frame are made of a titanium alloy in combination with scratch-resistant sapphire glass, which is not a matter of course in this price range. The material makes a difference in practice: after weeks of intensive training, sweat, rain and the odd involuntary contact with door frames, the case is still immaculate.

The 1.32-inch AMOLED display has a resolution of 466 × 466 pixels, a refresh rate of 60 Hz and can achieve a brightness of up to 3,000 nits. This is a real advantage in direct sunlight: speed, heart rate and distance data can be read at a glance even in bright light without having to shield the screen with your hand. Compared to its predecessor, which only managed 1,000 nits, this is a massive leap.

The design follows a clear sporty line: square shape, no unnecessary frills, four large push buttons on the side. Instead of a rotating crown like its predecessor, Amazfit relies on four large push buttons, which should be easy to operate even when moving and wearing gloves. This is a deliberate decision for competition use… and you have to like it, but more on that later.

But where there is light, there is also shadow. The Cheetah 2 Pro weighs 45.6 grams without the wristband and is therefore significantly heavier than its predecessor at 34 grams. The case is also noticeably thicker at 13.2 millimetres. This is a direct consequence of the upgrade to titanium and the larger battery – physically unavoidable, but subjectively noticeable. Garmin and Coros users should know that the Cheetah 2 Pro is noticeably heavier and bulkier. For people with smaller wrists, a more compact watch might be the better choice. Those who are used to extremely light watches will need a short familiarization phase. After a few long runs, the weight becomes less noticeable – but it is more of a nuisance during fast tempo runs than during steady endurance runs.

Equipment and features

The features of the Cheetah 2 Pro are one of its strongest arguments. The watch offers over 170 workout modes and provides advanced running metrics such as pace, VO₂-max, mileage and gait analysis. Additional data on heart rate variability, sleep and fatigue analysis help to keep an eye on recovery and training load.

For ambitious runners, metrics such as lactate threshold pace and heart rate, running performance, gait analysis and a real-time finish time prediction are available to help with pacing and performance improvement. This is the level that is otherwise only known from Garmin watches in the Forerunner 9xx series, but at a significantly lower price.

The new heart rate sensor is supposed to provide second-by-second measurements during training. The practical test showed that the values were very reliable at a steady pace. During high-intensity intervals with rapid changes in heart rate, the adjustment occasionally took a little longer. This is a known problem with optical sensors, but it is not a unique selling point of the Cheetah 2 Pro. The internal memory increases from 4 GB to a generous 32 GB, allowing more offline maps and longer audio content to be stored directly on the smartwatch. This makes a real difference in everyday life: prepare routes, load music, download maps – and then set off without a smartphone.

The watch supports structured training plans from TrainingPeaks, Runna and Intervals.icu, which synchronize automatically and link completed activities directly to Strava. Anyone who plans their training via these platforms anyway will appreciate the seamless integration. Thanks to Zepp OS 5 and full integration with third-party platforms such as Strava, TrainingPeaks and Komoot, the Cheetah 2 Pro can be used universally. You can import your own training templates and integrate accessories such as Stryd or the Helio Strap.

In addition to the running data, the watch offers NFC for contactless payments via Zepp Pay, an integrated speaker with microphone for Bluetooth calls and Amazon Alexa. There is even a jet lag manager on board – a thoughtful addition for athletes who travel to competitions and want to minimize the impact of time zones on training and performance. There is also an LED flashlight with strobe function for runs at dusk.

Battery life of the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro

Battery life is a key criterion for endurance athletes and the Cheetah 2 Pro delivers solid figures here. The battery capacity is 540 mAh, which is sufficient for up to 29 hours of continuous use in active GPS mode. With moderate daily use, the smartwatch lasts up to 20 days according to the manufacturer.

In practice, the figures look very different, which is the case with almost every smartwatch. With GPS-tracked training with around five units per week, the watch has to be recharged after around seven days. With constant GPS tracking, Amazfit claims 29 hours. This is in line with my experience: with daily sleep tracking, notifications, two to three training sessions per week with GPS and heart rate measurement, I easily managed over a week without charging. I didn’t charge it for more than a week. This is a real convenience advantage in everyday life compared to watches that have to be plugged in every day or every other day.

The GPS running time is crucial for marathon training: 29 hours means that even ultra-distances and multi-hour sessions are no problem. If you are preparing for an Ironman or half marathon, you don’t need to recharge in between. This makes a difference if you combine morning and evening sessions or simply forget to charge your watch.

One small point of criticism: the charging concept relies on a proprietary charging station. This means an additional item in your luggage. A USB-C cable would have been more practical. But: The charging puck on the Amazfit always remains the same. Whether Cheetah 2 Pro, Active Max or Helio Strap (our test). So if you use several of the manufacturer’s devices, you can combine the puck.

Operation and app connection

The operation of the Cheetah 2 Pro is well thought out. The four push buttons can be operated reliably even with wet fingers or gloves, a real advantage in rain or winter conditions. The display also responds by touch in everyday use, but this function is switched off during training to prevent accidental entries. That makes sense. But I also have to say that I find the button operation far less intuitive than, for example, on a Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro (our test) with a crown. It’s simply more comfortable to use.

The watch runs on Zepp OS 5.0 and supports Zepp Flow AI voice control and Bluetooth calls via built-in microphone and speaker. The Zepp Flow voice control works well for short commands, but reaches its limits with more complex queries – but is perfectly adequate for on-the-go use.

The Zepp app is the heart of the data analysis. Paired with the Zepp app, the watch becomes a complete training and lifestyle system. Workouts are analyzed in depth and advanced metrics such as ground contact time, stride length and lactate threshold tempo are available. The app is clearly structured and provides a detailed evaluation after each session. From the heart rate curve and cadence to the predicted race time. Nutrition tracking via the Zepp app is easier than any other nutrition app. Meals can be recorded directly by voice, calories and macronutrients are calculated automatically. The app also adapts recommendations to the respective activity level, suggesting a higher carbohydrate intake on more intensive training days, for example.

Sleep tracking goes beyond simply logging hours. The Cheetah 2 Pro recognizes patterns and habits that affect recovery, be it late screen time, alcohol or evening workouts. It also reports prolonged sleep time or frequent waking and gives practical suggestions for improvement.

The BioCharge feature calculates a daily readiness value. The feature combines sleep, stress and activity into a single, easy-to-read value. It also takes into account unusual activities such as beach volleyball or shoveling snow, which also have an impact on recovery. On days with a lower readiness value, the watch suggests lighter alternatives, such as a bike ride instead of a run.

The connection to external platforms works reliably. Strava Sync runs automatically, and TrainingPeaks plans land directly on the watch. The only downside: the Zepp app still feels a little overloaded in some places, and the learning curve is steeper for newcomers than with the Garmin Connect app.

Practical test of the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro

After intensive daily use, from easy regeneration runs to interval units and a longer run, the Cheetah 2 Pro has painted a clear picture. The GPS system is particularly impressive. The GPS allows maps to be downloaded for offline use, routes to be planned in advance or routes to be imported. Ideal for long runs where you want to explore new paths without getting lost.

The route measurement was precise in practice, with only minor deviations even in densely built-up areas with poor satellite contact. The Zepp Coach system and integrated workouts offer structured training plans that are geared towards your own goals, whether marathon preparation or general fitness.

It’s also worth noting that the watch doesn’t just work during training. Zepp Pay allows payments to be made directly from the watch, making it practical for grabbing a coffee or something else on the go without a smartphone. And to-do lists, exercise reminders and the jet lag manager make the Cheetah 2 Pro an all-round companion that goes beyond pure sport. Even if the classic smartwatch functions are significantly slimmed down, especially when it comes to the range of apps. This is extremely limited.

What was less convincing: the weight remains a real question of getting used to. You feel the watch much more on short units and runs. Anyone coming from a much lighter watch will need a few training sessions before it feels normal. In addition, whether the GPS, heart rate and training metrics really work properly in real training sessions is the decisive test. The short test phase indicates yes. The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is therefore undoubtedly an interesting fitness smartwatch that should appeal to more than just runners. At least if they can live with the high weight.

In purely technical terms, there is little to criticize about the watch and Amazfit has impressively demonstrated in recent months how quickly firmware updates and completely new functions can be added. Even many large manufacturers can take a leaf out of their book.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro Review: Conclusion

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is a serious running watch that performs above its price point in many areas. The upgrade to titanium and sapphire glass, the 3,000-nit display and the massive jump in memory to 32 GB are strong arguments in this price range. Added to this is a range of functions that covers the entire training ecosystem with platforms such as TrainingPeaks, Strava and Runna – and an app that can do much more than just count steps.

However, there is also some criticism: the weight and thickness of the housing have increased significantly compared to its predecessor. Those who prefer ultra-light running watches will not feel at home. The Zepp app has potential, but still seems a little complex to use. And 449.90 euros is no bargain price. Added to this is the four-button operating concept, which… you have to like. And the smartwatch functions are also significantly slimmed down compared to Apple, Samsung or Google. It’s all about sport, running and training. And not about Spotify or other lifestyle apps.

For whom is the Amazft Cheetah 2 Pro worthwhile? For ambitious runners who train in a structured way, value precise data and are prepared to take a closer look at their own performance. As a Garmin alternative, it offers more memory, a brighter display and competitive features at a price that is significantly lower than comparable Garmin models. Amazfit does not build an extremely reduced running watch for purists, but tries to bring sport, smartwatch functions and everyday life together and this works surprisingly well.