Amazfit Active Max vs Active 2: The Bigger Upgrade Explained

If you liked the Amazfit Active 2 Round but wished it had a larger screen, brighter display, and battery life that doesn’t feel like a weekly chore, the Amazfit Active Max is built for that exact Wishlist. 

It’s the larger sibling in the Active line, and on paper, it addresses many of the common “almost, but not quite” limitations of the smaller model.

Amazfit Active Max vs Active 2 Round: Specs at a Glance

Unboxing the Amazfit Active Max

What’s in the box

Right out of the gate, the Amazfit Active Max feels like it’s positioned as a step up, not just a slightly different size. Inside the box, you get:

• The watch itself
• Paperwork (quick start guides and usual inserts)
• A new charging puck
• A silicone strap

The charger is the first noticeable change. It’s the same style charger used on watches like the Amazfit Balance 2 and the T-Rex line.

It still charges via USB-C, but the puck design differs from that of the Amazfit Active 2 Round.

If you’re shopping around, here’s the product link: Amazfit Active Max on Amazon.

First look at the watch (size and finish)

Once the watch is out, the size difference is noticeable. It’s much bigger and thicker than the Active 2 Round. Even before putting the strap on, it reads more like a “sport watch” shape rather than a minimalist everyday piece.

A few design details stand out right away:

• A matte black finish on the back
• A slightly shinier finish around the display area
• Two physical buttons on the side

It’s a simple look, but it comes across as intentional. Nothing feels overly flashy, and the contrast between the matte back and the shinier front ring gives it a clean two-tone feel.

The strap and on-wrist feel.

The included silicone strap feels soft in the hand. Once attached, you can see why the watch wears chunkier than the smaller Active model. The lugs where the strap connects stick out further, which increases the overall footprint.

That lug shape matters. Even if two watches have the same screen size, outward lugs can make a watch look wider on the wrist and feel more “present.” If you prefer a slimmer profile, this is the kind of detail that can change the overall look.

Powering on and setting up

After turning on the watch, setup is completed through the Zepp app. Once paired and ready, the first thing you see is the default watch face, and it’s noticeably different from the default faces on the Amazfit Balance 2 and Active 2.

Quick tour of the software and controls

The interface on the Amazfit Active Max is straightforward and familiar if you’ve used other Amazfit watches. Gestures are consistent and easy to learn:

• Swipe down: quick controls
• Swipe up: notifications
• Swipe right: shortcut cards
• Swipe left: widgets
• Press the lower button: activities

App access and daily navigation feel quick. Nothing about the layout seems confusing, and the physical button shortcut to activities is the kind of thing you appreciate once you start using it during workouts.

Amazfit Active Max vs Amazfit Active 2 Round

This is the most important comparison for most buyers because the Active Max is positioned as the “big brother” upgrade.

Display size and peak brightness

The screen difference is immediate in person:

• Amazfit Active 2 Round: 1.32-inch display
• Amazfit Active Max: 1.5-inch display

Brightness also gets a clear jump:

• Active 2 Round: 2,000 nits peak brightness
• Active Max: 3,000 nits peak brightness

If you spend time outdoors, that extra brightness can be the difference between “I can read it” and “I’m tilting my wrist to find the angle that works.”

Storage upgrade (and why it matters)

Storage is one of the most significant practical upgrades.

The Active 2 Round comes with 512 MB, while the Amazfit Active Max moves up to 4 GB. 

That extra space is helpful for real stuff, not just a spec sheet:

• More watch faces without constantly deleting old ones
• More apps installed at once
• Less worry about storage when downloading maps to the watch

Battery life and frame material

Battery is another headline change. The Active Max is rated for up to 25 days of battery life, compared to about 10 to 12 days on the Active 2 Round.

The frame material also changes:

• Active 2 Round: stainless steel frame
• Active Max: aluminium frame

That won’t matter to everyone, but it does help explain the shift in feel. Stainless steel can feel more premium in the hand, while aluminium often helps keep weight in check on larger watches.

Weight and wearability

The Active Max is heavier, as expected, given its size.

• Active Max: 39.5 g
• Active 2 Round (standard): 29.5 g
• Active 2 Round (premium): 31.65 g

Whether that’s “too heavy” depends on what you like. Some people want a watch you forget is there. Others like a watch that feels substantial, especially if it’s meant for workouts and outdoor use.

Active Max vs Active 2 Round (spec table)

Feature	Amazfit Active 2 Round	Amazfit Active Max
Display size	1.32-inch	1.5-inch
Peak brightness	2,000 nits	3,000 nits
Storage	512 MB	4 GB (about 2 GB user available)
Typical battery claim	~10 to 12 days	Up to 25 days
Frame material	Stainless steel	Aluminum
Weight	29.5 g (standard), 31.65 g (premium)	39.5 g

Amazfit Active Max vs Amazfit Balance 2

The Amazfit Balance 2 is similar to the Active Max in day-to-day use, and the comparison gets interesting because each excels in different areas.

Where they match up

Both watches share a few big basics:

• 1.5-inch display
• 658 mAh battery
• Up to 25 days claimed for typical use

Balance 2 is described as lasting more than 10 days with heavy use. The expectation is that the Active Max should land in a similar range with comparable usage.

Brightness vs storage (the big trade)

This is where the split is clear:

• Amazfit Active Max: 3,000 nits peak brightness
• Amazfit Balance 2: 2,000 nits peak brightness
• Balance 2 storage: 32 GB
• Active Max storage: 4 GB

If you prioritize outdoor readability, Active Max has the edge. If you want a lot more on-watch storage, Balance 2 wins by a wide margin.

Amazfit Active Max vs Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro

If the Active Max is “sporty,” the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is “rugged.” They may appear similar in specifications at a glance, but they feel different on the wrist.

Display and brightness

Both are described as having:

• 1.5-inch display
• 3,000 nits brightness

So from a pure visibility standpoint, they’re playing in the same space.

Storage and battery size

The T-Rex 3 Pro pushes higher on storage and slightly higher on battery capacity:

• T-Rex 3 Pro storage: 32 GB
• Active Max storage: 4 GB
• T-Rex 3 Pro battery: 700 mAh
• Active Max battery: 658 mAh

Size and bulk

Even if the screens match, the T-Rex 3 Pro looks and feels bulkier due to thicker bezels and a more rugged body shape. It’s the kind of watch that looks ready for a beating.

The 1.3-inch version of the T-Rex 3 Pro, which would be closer in overall physical size to the Active Max (even though the screen size would be smaller).

Quick pros and cons (based on what’s shown)

1. Amazfit Active Max: Brighter outdoor-focused display, large battery claim, slimmer vibe than a full rugged watch.
2. Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: More storage, larger battery, bulkier build, and stronger, more rugged styling.

Who the Amazfit Active Max seems built for

Based on the unboxing and quick comparisons, the Amazfit Active Max makes the most sense for a few types of buyers:

People upgrading from Active 2 Round: The larger 1.5-inch screen, higher brightness, and larger battery capacity address the most common constraints.

Outdoor users: 3,000 nits peak brightness is a strong reason to pick this over models that top out at 2,000 nits.

Anyone who wants more on-watch freedom: Jumping from 512 MB to 4 GB changes how often you’ll think about storage, especially for watch faces, apps, and maps.

More Amazfit watch comparisons and where to follow

Whether you’re a long-time Amazfit fan or just looking to pick up your first budget-friendly smartwatch, keeping track of all the new releases can be a challenge. 2025 was a massive year for the brand, and I’ve spent the last few months putting every single model through its paces.

If you’re trying to decide which wearable to choose, I’ve put together in-depth comparisons to help you make the right call.

Deep Dives & Head-to-Head Battles

Check out these detailed breakdowns to see how the latest hardware stacks up:

The Full 2025 Recap: I tested every single Amazfit watch released in 2025. Here is the definitive ranking.

Bip 6 vs. Active 2: Which budget king reigns supreme? We look at the core features and daily performance. A side-by-side look at the Amazfit Bip 6 and the Active 2 Square to see which “box” fits you best.

The Shape Debate: Round or Square? I break down the design and display differences of the Active Two line-up.

Conclusion

The Amazfit Active Max is a clear “bigger and bolder” step up from the Active 2 Round, with a larger display, higher peak brightness, much more storage, and a battery claim that’s in a different league. 

It also lands close to the Balance 2 in screen size and battery capacity, while still carving out its own identity with that brighter panel and a different default look. 

If you’ve been waiting for an Active-series watch that feels less limited day-to-day, Active Max is the one to watch. What matters more to you, maximum brightness or maximum storage?