Compare Garmin Lily 2 vs Amazfit Active 3 Premium

P1 Garmin Lily 2
P2 Amazfit Active 3 Premium

Comparison Takeaways

Garmin Lily 2

Where It Has the Edge

  • size options is 4.4 vs 3.5. Size options and wrist fit favor small wrists and compact-wearable shoppers, though the product line itself remains very...
  • heart rate accuracy is 4.3 vs 3.5. Heart-rate accuracy was a consistent strength, with several reviewers comparing it favorably to straps, Oura, Apple Watch, or...
  • style and design is 4.7 vs 4.0. Style and design were the broadest positive theme, with reviewers repeatedly describing the Lily 2 as elegant, classy,...
  • cross-platform compatibility is 4.2 vs 3.5. Cross-platform compatibility is generally good across Android and iPhone, but Android gets more interactive notification and call-response features.

Amazfit Active 3 Premium

Where It Has the Edge

  • onboard music storage is 4.2 vs 1.6. Onboard storage is useful for maps, music, podcasts, and routes, but space is limited compared with higher-end Amazfit...
  • button controls is 4.7 vs 2.3. Button controls are a clear strength, with four physical buttons praised for workouts, gloves, sweaty hands, and navigation...
  • app ecosystem is 4.0 vs 2.0. The app ecosystem is useful but bounded: reviewers mention hundreds of apps and Zepp App Store extras, while...
  • Bluetooth connectivity is 4.0 vs 2.2. Bluetooth is central to calls, pairing, notifications, peripherals, and map transfer, though reviewers note phone proximity and Bluetooth-only...
Average score
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.6
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1
activity auto-detection
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.1

Automatic activity detection was consistently useful for walks and casual movement, with reviewers noting reliable walk detection and Garmin Move IQ, though its automatic detail is limited.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Workout auto-detection is mixed: some sources say it auto-recognizes strength movements and several sports, while one hands-on review says it lacks automatic workout detection.

app ecosystem
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.0

The Lily 2 is constrained as an app platform: reviewers noted no Connect IQ widgets and no native third-party app installation.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

The app ecosystem is useful but bounded: reviewers mention hundreds of apps and Zepp App Store extras, while one notes apps must come from Zepp rather than Apple or Google stores.

band quality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.5

Band quality is a clear upgrade, with standard 14mm quick-release bands repeatedly praised for flexibility, comfort, and easy replacement.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1

Band impressions are generally practical, with standard 20 mm quick-release or non-proprietary bands and an included silicone strap.

battery life
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.2

Battery life was generally strong for a small wearable, usually landing around four to five days, with a few heavier-use reviews seeing closer to three days.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Battery life is one of the strongest themes, with typical use ranging from about 8-12 days in hands-on reviews and up to 24 hours in GPS mode in launch coverage.

blood oxygen tracking
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.7

Blood oxygen tracking is present through Pulse Ox or SpO2, but one reviewer warned readings could run low, so confidence is moderate rather than excellent.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Blood oxygen tracking is repeatedly listed among the health features and background sensor options.

Bluetooth connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.2

Bluetooth-related connectivity is limited: phone pairing and notifications work, but reviewers noted no gym-equipment broadcast, no direct Bluetooth headphone use, and no external HR sensor pairing.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

Bluetooth is central to calls, pairing, notifications, peripherals, and map transfer, though reviewers note phone proximity and Bluetooth-only transfer limitations.

brightness
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.4

Brightness drew mixed reactions: one reviewer found direct-sun visibility excellent, while several others wanted a brighter screen through the patterned lens.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Brightness is widely praised, especially the 3,000-nit screen and outdoor readability.

build quality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.4

Build quality improved versus the original Lily, with aluminum, Gorilla Glass, and a more premium feel appearing repeatedly in reviews.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Build quality is consistently described as premium for the price, helped by stainless steel, sapphire glass, and four-button construction.

button controls
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.3

Button controls are a weak point because the Lily 2 depends on touch and a pseudo-button; reviewers wanted real side buttons or easier pause controls.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Button controls are a clear strength, with four physical buttons praised for workouts, gloves, sweaty hands, and navigation without touch input.

call handling
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.5

Call handling works best with Android predefined responses, while iPhone users mostly just receive alerts and still need the phone to act.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.9

Call handling is mostly supported through Bluetooth calling and a mic/speaker, though one preview transcript reports a no-speaker limitation.

calorie tracking usefulness
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.8

Calorie tracking was present but not especially trusted, with direct reviewer evidence saying calories were slightly off or generous.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.8

Calorie tracking is mentioned as part of the app ecosystem, but reviewer evidence does not deeply evaluate its accuracy or usefulness.

charging convenience
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.5

Charging is functional but not universally convenient: the magnetic or clip-style charger is easy enough, yet proprietary clips and travel cable needs were recurring caveats.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Charging convenience is helped by long battery life and a familiar Amazfit magnetic charger used across several models.

charging speed
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.1

Charging speed was mixed, ranging from roughly an hour to full charge in some tests to slower 30-minute gains versus Apple Watch.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
No score yet
coaching features
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.7

Coaching features are useful but limited, including hydration adaptation, timers, alerts, plans, and VO2 Max mentions, while richer recovery guidance is absent.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.6

Coaching features are a major strength, including Zepp Coach, adaptive plans, training libraries, guided metrics, and beginner-friendly structure.

comfort
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.7

Comfort is one of the strongest themes, with reviewers repeatedly saying the watch is lightweight, barely noticeable, and suitable for day-and-night wear.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.6

Comfort is consistently positive, with reviewers calling out the light feel, smaller size, and approachable wearability.

companion app quality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.5

Garmin Connect provides deep data and useful dashboards, but app clarity was split between reviewers who found it intuitive and those who called it clunky or unclear.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

The Zepp companion app is mostly praised as clear, detailed, easy to set up, and useful, though one German review criticizes weak translations.

contactless payments
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.6

Garmin Pay is a useful addition on Classic models, though regional bank support limits how valuable it is for some reviewers.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Contactless payments are supported through NFC/Zepp Pay/Curve in supported regions, but availability is country- and bank-dependent.

cross-platform compatibility
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.2

Cross-platform compatibility is generally good across Android and iPhone, but Android gets more interactive notification and call-response features.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Cross-platform behavior is mixed: it works with iPhone and Android, but reviewers note less seamless iPhone integration and Android-only response features.

customization options
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.3

Customization is strong for bands and morning reports, with watch-face and patterned-lens customization more limited.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Customization is strong for training screens, metrics, shortcut buttons, replies, and watch/app settings.

display quality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.4

Display quality is intentionally minimalist and readable for many, but several reviewers criticized the basic monochrome LCD and lack of AMOLED vibrancy.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Display quality is a standout, with reviewers praising the AMOLED panel, clarity, color, and premium look, despite one smudging complaint.

durability
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.1

Durability looks improved thanks to Gorilla Glass and aluminum construction, though few reviews included long-term abuse testing.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Durability is supported by sapphire glass, scratch resistance, 5 ATM water resistance, and a sturdier build than expected for the price.

ECG functionality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
1.0

ECG functionality is essentially absent, with reviews explicitly noting no ECG recordings or wishing for newer sensor hardware.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.0

ECG functionality is absent according to the review evidence.

fit
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.4

Fit was praised for small wrists, snug wear, and a low-profile shape that sits comfortably without bulk.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Fit is generally positive thanks to the light weight, comfortable sizing, and adjustable lugs, though it comes in one case size.

fitness tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.3

Fitness tracking accuracy was mostly positive for casual use, especially activity and heart-rate basics, but HIIT and unsupported activities produced caveats.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Fitness tracking is generally strong for running metrics and training data, but reviewers note some accuracy caveats for heart rate and GPS in harder conditions.

GPS accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.4

GPS accuracy depends on the phone because there is no onboard GPS; connected GPS could work well, but carrying a phone is required for maps and reliable distance.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

GPS and navigation are strong for the price, with offline maps and route features, but single-band GPS can drift or struggle in dense woods or obstructed areas.

health tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.2

Health tracking accuracy was generally reliable for core metrics like heart rate, steps, sleep, respiration, and wellness trends, with some sleep and SpO2 caveats.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Health tracking is broad and mostly praised, covering HRV, heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, and BioCharge-type readiness insights.

heart rate accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.3

Heart-rate accuracy was a consistent strength, with several reviewers comparing it favorably to straps, Oura, Apple Watch, or Garmin watches, though intense intervals could wobble.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Heart-rate accuracy is mixed: some tests report good chest-strap agreement, while others saw cadence-like behavior or imperfect interval tracking.

LTE connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.0

LTE connectivity is not available, so connected features depend on a nearby phone over Bluetooth.

materials quality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.8

Materials quality improved with aluminum, but one reviewer still viewed aluminum as cheaper and less durable than stainless steel.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Materials quality is a strength, with stainless steel, sapphire glass, and metal accents repeatedly mentioned.

menu navigation
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.5

Menu navigation was workable and often easy enough, but some reviewers still described learning curves or extra steps.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Menu navigation is mostly smooth and button-aided, though some workout and map workflows confused reviewers or required leaving an activity.

music controls
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.8

Music controls are available for controlling a paired phone, but reviewers consistently distinguished that from true onboard music.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Music controls and audio functions are present through phone control, playback widgets, podcasts, and music/podcast storage.

onboard music storage
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
1.6

Onboard music storage is missing, and multiple reviewers explicitly called out no music storage or offline listening.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Onboard storage is useful for maps, music, podcasts, and routes, but space is limited compared with higher-end Amazfit models.

operating system experience
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.8

The operating system experience is Garmin-centric and lean, optimized for fitness and notifications rather than native Apple or Google app ecosystems.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

The Zepp OS experience is familiar and smooth, with reviewers describing it as similar to other Amazfit watches.

outdoor visibility
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.2

Outdoor visibility was mostly good to excellent, especially in DC Rainmaker and DesFit testing, though one reviewer found bright sun harder to read.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.8

Outdoor visibility is a major strength, supported by the bright 3,000-nit AMOLED display and direct-sun readability.

pairing reliability
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.7

Pairing reliability for connected GPS and phone handoff was much improved, with reviewers reporting quick locks and strong connection maintenance.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Pairing is generally easy, but one iPhone user noticed occasional brief syncing delays.

recovery insights
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.2

Recovery insights are a partial win: Body Battery gives readiness-style guidance, but dedicated recovery time and workout benefit features are absent.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Recovery insights are a major part of the product, including recovery time, fatigue, exertion, HRV, sleep quality, and BioCharge/readiness-style data.

reliability
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.2

Reliability was good in user-level evidence, with reviewers calling tracking reliable and one owner saying it did what they wanted.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Overall reliability is positive in hands-on use, though early heart-rate and map-transfer quirks keep it from being flawless.

safety features
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.3

Safety features are a real strength for this class, including incident detection, LiveTrack, emergency contacts, and assistance alerts through a phone.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Safety and navigation features are strong for the price, including offline maps, turn-by-turn guidance, rerouting, POIs, and backtrack-style return options.

size options
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.4

Size options and wrist fit favor small wrists and compact-wearable shoppers, though the product line itself remains very small and style-focused.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Size options are limited because the watch comes in one case size, although reviewers also liked the smaller, more manageable form factor.

sleep tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.3

Sleep tracking was mixed: some reviewers found scores and timing aligned, while others saw missed sleep duration and less useful graphs.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Sleep tracking is one of the best-reviewed attributes, with detailed stages, wakeups, HRV, breathing data, and sleep scores.

smartphone notifications
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.5

Smartphone notifications arrive reliably, but control is limited, especially on iPhone and when trying to filter app-specific alerts.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1

Smartphone notifications are supported, including calls, SMS, app alerts, WhatsApp, and notification viewing, with richer replies on Android.

smartwatch features
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.7

Smartwatch features are useful but lean, including notifications, weather, calendar, Find My Phone, Morning Report, Garmin Pay on Classic, and music controls.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Smartwatch features are broad for the price, including calls, notifications, stand reminders, Find My Phone, camera control, speaker/mic, and app extras.

software smoothness
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.3

Software smoothness improved over the original Lily, especially gesture wake and connected GPS handoff, though some touch controls remained less fluid.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.8

Software smoothness is praised, with reviewers noting little lag, no stutters, and smooth operation.

step counting accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.2

Step counting was broadly supported and valued, including pool-length and walking evidence, though one user contrasted it with an older inaccurate watch rather than direct lab validation.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
No score yet
stress tracking
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.4

Stress tracking was praised as engaging and useful, often linked with Body Battery and daily wellness patterns.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Stress tracking is repeatedly included among the automatic health features and wellness insights.

style and design
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.7

Style and design were the broadest positive theme, with reviewers repeatedly describing the Lily 2 as elegant, classy, jewelry-like, and more wearable than sporty watches.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

Style and design are mostly positive for a premium-looking budget watch, but some reviewers wanted more color and strap choices.

third-party app support
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.5

Third-party app support is limited overall, but manually started workouts can sync to outside services like Strava through Garmin Connect.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Third-party support is mixed: key training platforms like Strava, TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals appear, but broader app-store access and some training-app links are limited.

touchscreen responsiveness
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.8

Touchscreen responsiveness was mixed to weak, with several reviewers finding it sluggish, less fluid, or insufficiently refined despite one positive touch-screen comment.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Touchscreen use is functional, but reviewers emphasized the value of physical buttons and did not deeply praise touch responsiveness itself.

user interface
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.4

The user interface is usable but not polished; reviewers described it as fine, simple, or learnable, while also noting extra steps and learning curves.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

The interface is generally beginner-friendly, smooth, and jargon-free.

value for money
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.7

Value is context-dependent: reviewers liked the style, battery, and feature set, but comparisons to cheaper Fitbits or similarly priced Garmin models limited enthusiasm.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Value for money is the strongest consensus point, with reviewers repeatedly contrasting the price with the premium build, maps, battery, and health features.

voice assistant quality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Voice assistant support is present through Zepp Flow/AI assistant controls and commands, with generally positive but not deeply tested impressions.

watch face quality
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
2.9

Watch face quality is basic, with a handful of monochrome options and repeated wishes for more color or more choices.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Watch face quality is mixed: there are Zepp App Store watch faces, but one reviewer questioned whether some looked AI-generated.

water resistance
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.5

Water resistance is a strength, with 5ATM or 50-meter swim/shower-safe evidence across multiple reviews.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.4

Water resistance is solid for everyday use and swimming, with multiple reviews mentioning 5 ATM protection.

wellness insights
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
4.4

Wellness insights are a standout, especially Body Battery, stress, hydration, sleep score, and Garmin Connect data that help users understand daily energy.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Wellness insights are broad and digestible, with BioCharge, HRV, sleep, respiratory data, readiness, fatigue, and recovery-style feedback.

Wi-Fi connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
No score yet
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.8

Wi-Fi connectivity appears weak or absent for map transfer; one reviewer specifically says map transfer is Bluetooth-only rather than Wi-Fi.

workout tracking variety
Product 1: Garmin Lily 2
3.8

Workout variety is good for casual users with 18 profiles and new dance, HIIT, rowing, and meditation options, but missing indoor cycling and some sports frustrates reviewers.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Workout tracking variety is strong, with more than 170 sport modes and detailed running, hybrid, strength, treadmill, and swimming profiles.