New Life for T-Rex 3, Helio & Balance 2

T-Rex 3 was released over a year ago and has just bagged a significant update. Not to be outdone, Amazfit’s Helio Strap (The Whoop wannabe) and Balance 2 have also received similar updates.
I don’t particularly want to give a running commentary on yet another company’s software release. Still, Amazfit’s cadence seems to have been upped in recent months…meaning it’s taking its watch and sport sensor range more seriously – even the slightly older models. The company sells good, reasonably cheap products that have now got just that little bit better. It makes me wonder what’s in store for next year (I know some of the plans…watch this space!).
For perspective, it’s worth noting that Garmin added its Jet Lag feature three years ago, and the brand is taking it seriously, as it did earlier this year, about inaccurate workout detection.

Here’s a summary of the recent changes.
T-Rex 3 (December 2025)
- Zepp OS 5 system upgrade
- BioCharge app for energy tracking
- New Rucking and Mountain Hiking modes
- Uphill alerts in navigation
- Integration with STRYD, TrainingPeaks, Intervals.icu
- Jet lag assistant and screenshot capability
Helio Strap (December 2025)
- 29 new workout modes, including pool swimming, rowing, and combat sports
- Customizable favourite workout lists
- Improved activity detection
- Enhanced Balance 2 connectivity

Balance 2 (November 2025)
- Adjustable font sizes
- Separate audio zone controls
- TrainingPeaks and Intervals.icu integration
- New ski machine workout mode
- Enhanced digital crown gestures
- Additional always-on display watch faces

The Case for Continuous Improvement
Amazfit’s near-monthly updates make for easy tech news stories, but only the most tech-dedicated customers will notice or use all the new features.
But this approach signals real long-term commitment—and that’s valuable to owners. In a year, many will look back and think: yeah, my watch is noticeably more capable now. That might deter a few from upgrading to the latest Amazfit model, but not many. More importantly, it builds strong brand loyalty. The best recommendations always come from friends who are happy customers, not reviews or sites like this.
Last Updated on 30 January 2026 by the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.




Hello, i agree that Amazfit releases new firmwares/features very often, but only for their latest watches!
I don’t know if it is because the previous watches are not able to support some of the new features or if it is a marketing approach to buy the latest watch.
Pascal
(very happy owner of the T-Rex 2 since March 2023)
t-rex 3 is over a year old and just got the new core os, as above.
to me that implies
1. updates could be linked to core os version
2. this oldish (hmm) watch will get future updates
a change, i agree
Hi,
Yes it’s difficult to understand for the moment, is Amazfit will provide more long term support to their watches.
They communicate about the minimal period for support here and about EoLife – https://www.zepp.com/src/security-updates
latest models are no more there, strange, T-Rex 3 and TR3Pro was there with respectively 2026 and 2028 last Security Update EOL…
The link with latest and all models 🙂
https://src.zepp.com/updates/index.html
I use the Helio strap for nightly readings only, I’m almost ready to get rid of the morning spot HRV reading (with Polar H9), and rely only on the strap for recovery. Yes it seems accurate enough for that purpose.
This project list all device info, even the SoC (Chipset) but not the exact model.
Difficult to confirm something based on this because new models seems to use different chipset …
https://github.com/melianmiko/ZeppOS-DevicesList