Amazfit challenges more expensive smartwatches with new Helio Strap Pro sensor kit

Amazfit has officially unveiled its latest fitness tracker, the Amazfit Helio Strap Pro. The device is available for pre-order for around €185, with first shipments starting on June 25. It will initially be available in the US.

The new model is twice as expensive as the previous Amazfit Helio Strap, which rightly raises some questions among consumers about the feasibility of a higher investment for an upgrade. Nevertheless, the Amazfit still manages to stay well below the price threshold of many mid-range smartwatches, such as the competing Garmin Instinct 3.

For this money, users receive two separate sensor modules in the package, namely Core Motion HR and Core Motion Waist. To ensure the most accurate measurements during physical activity, the Core Motion HR module is equipped with a built-in heart rate and movement monitor and is worn on the upper arm. The second part of the kit, the Core Motion Waist motion sensor, is placed directly around the waist using a special clip or strap.

The ability to recognize more than 60 different sports modes means that the device is ready for a wide variety of types of workouts. The main advantage of this solution is the additional sensor on the belt, as the manufacturer wants to achieve significantly higher accuracy in monitoring strength exercises and cardio training. This specific sensor allows the system to more easily assess core stability and the actual level of load on individual muscle groups.

At the same time, the device offers most of the features that users have already come to know from its predecessor. This means continuous all-day heart rate measurement and detailed analysis of sleep and general body regeneration after exertion. Based on this collected data, the system then calculates an index called the Amazfit HybridCharge Index, which shows the current performance and readiness of the individual for a new workout on a simple scale from 0 to 100 points.