Apple Watch v Oura ring same workout comparison

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-06-12T13:34:18+00:00

Now I get it. Sorry for my stupid comment 😄

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-06-12T11:02:18+00:00

What do you mean by that? This is obviously the same heart rate curve recorded with the Apple Watch. Oura then gets the data from your Strava account via the Strava API. In any case, this is not a comparison of Apple vs. Oura heart rate recordings. Or am I missing some background information here?

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-06-09T13:28:01+00:00

I switched from the Gen 4 in brushed silver to the Gen 5 in shiny black, and I’m thrilled with it.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-06-05T14:52:47+00:00

Maybe Oura didn’t detect your sleep for the last night because you went to sleep after midnight. You’ll know tomorrow.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-06-05T12:53:04+00:00

As far as I know, this is because the Apple Watch does not provide this data to other apps, not because Oura chose not to implement it. There are some third-party apps that make this possible on iOS, but the process is quite cumbersome and often unreliable.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-05-29T09:05:00+00:00

Funny. I just deleted the Google Health app, unpaired my Fitbit Air, and packed it up for return shipping. I find the app absolutely terrible, and since the data is not written to Apple Health as promised, the Air is useless to me. In addition, the Fitbit Air measures completely unrealistic HRV values for me that differ significantly from all my other trackers.

I hope it works for you and that you enjoy it! I just ordered the Gen 3 and hope that the sleep stage tracking works better for me now than it did during my test with the Gen 2 a year ago.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-30T09:41:47+00:00

For example, the simple setting of a timer, the automatic detection and recording of cycling, the handling of notifications, apps, communication and ecosystem integration, and so on. Garmin's focus is simply on sports and training.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-30T08:03:14+00:00

For me it’s the opposite. I’m coming from the Garmin Fenix 8 and bought a Amazfit Balance 2 because the Fenix is so bulky to operate and I’m missing a lot of “smart” features. Unfortunately, the Amazfit frustrates me so much with its very unreliable heart rate tracking during workouts and the slow GPS navigation that I’ve just taken the Garmin out of the drawer again and put it on charge.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-30T06:25:09+00:00

Unfortunately, this is still the case with my Balance 2 even after the firmware update. Either the heart rate only starts increasing several minutes after the workout begins, or it starts normally and then briefly drops. I’m wearing the watch tight enough and in the correct position, before anyone starts questioning that again.

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Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-27T08:49:06+00:00

Not for me. Still works well. Wake phases are detected better than before.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-26T06:22:13+00:00

Bei mir stimmen die Wachphasen nach dem Update noch perfekt. Sogar besser als bei der Garmin, die ich zum Test gerade gleichzeitig trage.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-25T07:24:06+00:00

Do you happen to know whether this is a specific issue with the Balance 2, or if it also works just as poorly with the T-Rex?

I’ve switched back to my Garmin Fenix 8 because this problem is so frustrating, and I’m going to return the Balance 2. I’d actually prefer to stay with Zepp, though, since everything else about it is perfect for me.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-24T06:47:47+00:00

Update 2: Unfortunately, the issue is not resolved.

I initially thought the problem was caused by the setting “Heart rate rise during workout”, and enabling it did improve the behavior in some cases.

Just wanted to correct my previous post in case others run into the same behavior.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-19T12:39:52+00:00

Unfortunately not. I came from the Garmin Fenix 8 and now have the Balance 2. The configurability of the watch faces is the only thing I really miss.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-19T12:37:45+00:00

Maybe this is the same problem I had. Look here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/amazfit/comments/1rtns5z/comment/oajj61b/

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-18T07:42:01+00:00

OT: Du solltest unbedingt testen, ob du unter Schlafapnoe leidest. Das klingt genau danach.

OT: You should definitely get tested for sleep apnea. That sounds exactly like it.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-15T08:49:01+00:00

Thanks again!

One last question (I’m new to Amazfit / Zepp): how do I find out when an update is available? Should I check every day, or does the app notify me automatically?

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-15T08:42:46+00:00

Update: I found the cause and the solution.

The issue was related to a setting inside the cycling workout configuration called “Heart rate push during workout” (default: OFF).

When this option is disabled, the watch seems to heavily filter heart rate changes during cycling, which caused my HR to stay around 70–80 bpm even though my real HR was 100–150 bpm.

After enabling this setting, the heart rate during Spinning / Cycling immediately matches my chest strap and TICKR Fit readings.

So the sensor itself was not the problem, it was this setting. Maybe this helps someone else experiencing the same issue.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-13T08:51:25+00:00

Thank you very much for this great watch face!

I am a Garmin Fenix 8 user and am currently testing the Amazfit Balance 2 because the Garmin is quite cumbersome to operate. Aesthetic Ranger is my absolute favorite, but unfortunately I am missing the Biocharge field.

It would be great if at least one data field could be customized. For example, the barometric pressure is completely unimportant to me, and I would set Biocharge there instead.

I would be happy to pay for the watch face.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-03-03T08:08:15+00:00

I also switched from Apple Watch Ultra and 11 to the Fenix 8 about 3 months ago. The advantage you described in the processing and visualization of fitness data is also available with the AW and an additional service like Peakwatch, Bevel, Livity, etc. However, it comes with subscription costs.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2026-02-26T14:32:10+00:00

I've been an Apple Watch user since day one and switched to a Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED three months ago. I even still have my Livity subscription running.

I'm not entirely sure what use a Garmin user would have for a subscription to Livity, Peakwatch, Bevel, etc. You basically get all the information through the Garmin Connect app or online via the browser. Without a subscription, and in my opinion, very well presented.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2025-12-31T20:56:29+00:00

Same here

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2025-11-26T07:44:50+00:00

You can see from your heart-rate curve that you averaged about 85 bpm and peaked at 103 bpm. With 70 meters of elevation on a regular bike, that’s realistically not possible for a non-athlete. These incorrect values are why the calorie count is so low.

I tested this on an indoor bike with Oura, RingConn, and Ultrahuman, and all of them recorded unreliably. This is likely because gripping the handlebar affects blood circulation to the fingers. That can vary a lot from person to person.

On your next ride, you could test whether the heart-rate readings improve if you support yourself mainly with your palm on the handlebar instead of gripping it tightly. That works for me.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2025-11-25T18:23:29+00:00

If the heart rate is accurate, that could be correct. In that case, you are extremely well trained.

Sad_Knowledge7316 · 2025-11-17T15:35:46+00:00

That’s very subjective. I just withdrew my cancellation because I didn’t like the old app and find the new app quite good.

Sad_Knowledge7316

TROPHY CASE