I examined Zepp OS 6 Motion UI on the Amazfit Balance 3

Zepp OS 6 brings Motion UI, the brand new search for Amazfit watches, and I’ve been making an attempt it out on the Amazfit Balance 3. It modifications the way in which you get across the watch however the primary factor is it nonetheless feels straightforward to determine moderately than a complete overhaul.

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Easy to regulate to

The very first thing I seen is the brand new interface doesn’t take lengthy to select up. Anyone coming from a current Amazfit watch ought to get the grasp of it quick, as a result of the fundamental logic nonetheless feels acquainted.

That is an effective factor, as a result of a sports activities watch interface can go unsuitable quick if a redesign tries too arduous to look differnet. Zepp OS 6 dodges that entice. It modifications the structure but it surely doesn’t make you relearn the watch from scratch.

After a short while with the Amazfit Balance 3, the brand new system felt pure sufficient. I used to be not stopping to consider the place every thing had gone, which is normally a good signal with this type of replace.

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The most important swipes have modified

The greatest change is what occurs from the watch face. Swipe left now and also you get a listing of train shortcuts, swipe proper and also you get the total app listing.

That is totally different from the previous setup. Before, swiping left took you to customisable shortcut playing cards, whereas swiping proper scrolled by means of particular person widgets like BioCharge, motion, coronary heart price and different day by day stats.

Those screens haven’t gone wherever. They now reside as playing cards, which you attain by swiping up from the watch face. Tap a card and it opens up that widget. So in a way, that does require further effort to succeed in.

This might be the most important adjustment of the lot. Zepp Health has pulled the day by day well being and exercise panels out of the left and proper swipe circulation and tucked them right into a card stack as an alternative. In concept that provides the interface a cleaner construction, with exercises on one facet, apps on the opposite and glanceable playing cards sitting above.

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The settings web page feels acquainted

The space that appears to have modified the least is the settings web page. A swipe down from the watch face nonetheless will get you to the short settings, so the core behaviour stays acquainted.

The most important distinction that I’ve seen is that notifications now sit on the identical web page, under the settings choices. Before, notifications had their very own separate swipe place. In Zepp OS 6 it feels extra folded into the management space.

I’m not certain that’s clearly higher or worse. It is simply totally different, and it would make the interface really feel extra compact, however I might not name it a serious enchancment each day.

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Better construction, however not a dramatic improve

So what’s the takeaway?

I might watch out to not oversell Motion UI. Zepp OS 6 does change the way in which the watch is organised, however after utilizing it on the Balance 3, I don’t see an enormous distinction in on a regular basis use. The interface feels intuitive and acquainted, and that works in its favour. But it doesn’t instantly make the watch really feel like a very totally different gadget.

I suppose there’s a case for saying the brand new design is extra logical. Exercise shortcuts on the left and apps on the appropriate make sense, whereas transferring BioCharge, motion, coronary heart price and comparable panels into playing cards offers them a extra constant residence.

There can be a case for saying that is largely a rearrangement. If you used the previous interface comfortably, Zepp OS 6 doesn’t really feel like an enormous leap ahead. It feels extra like Zepp Health has tidied the furnishings, moderately than rebuilt the room.

For now, watches which have totally moved to the brand new system embody the Balance 3 and Balance Ultra, together with the Cheetah 2 Ultra and Bip Max. Several extra units are because of obtain Zepp OS 6 over the subsequent month, together with the current T-Rex fashions, Balance 2, Cheetah 2 Pro and Active 3 Premium.

Outside response to Motion UI has been combined, which strains up with my very own expertise. Some customers just like the cleaner vertical card system, whereas others miss the previous widget-style navigation and the additional selection it gave them. After utilizing it on the Balance 3, I sit someplace within the center. Zepp OS 6 is straightforward to study, however I’m not satisfied it modifications day by day use as a lot because the Motion UI branding suggests.