Design and Build: The Feel of a Racing Flat
The moment you strap on the Amazfit Cheetah Pro, its purpose is immediately clear. This is not a bloated smartwatch masquerading as a fitness tool; it is a svelte, 44-gram instrument designed for unimpeded motion. The fiber-reinforced polymer case is remarkably light, yet it feels robust enough to withstand the rigors of daily training and the occasional scrape. The 1.45-inch AMOLED display is protected by a domed sapphire glass, a premium feature typically reserved for watches costing twice as much. This combination provides exceptional scratch resistance and reduces glare under direct sunlight, a critical factor for those midday summer runs. The single physical button is responsive and offers satisfying tactile feedback, flanked by a sleek digital crown that allows for smooth scrolling through data fields and menus without obstructing the wrist. The included fluoroelastomer band is soft, non-irritating, and features a quick-release mechanism, facilitating effortless swaps for nylon straps for an even more secure, “disappears-on-the-wrist” feel during intense intervals. The overall footprint is low-profile, ensuring it slides effortlessly under a long-sleeved shirt or running jacket without bulk.
Positioning Accuracy: The Dual-Band GPS Deep Dive
For the serious runner, GPS accuracy is non-negotiable. A watch that cuts corners or misreports distance corrupts training data and paces, rendering it useless for structured workouts. The Amazfit Cheetah Pro addresses this with a formidable six-system, dual-frequency GNSS receiver (L1 + L5). In practical testing, the difference is stark. On a tree-covered canal path where standard GPS watches typically struggle, producing a “wobbly” track that adds phantom distance, the Cheetah Pro’s track was exceptionally clean. It clung to the actual path with tenacious precision, accurately reflecting every subtle turn. The same performance was observed in an urban canyon environment with tall buildings. The watch achieved a GPS lock astonishingly fast, often in under 10 seconds, a small but appreciable detail when you’re eager to start your session.
The true test came during a track workout. Using the watch’s dedicated “Track Run” mode, it correctly identified the lane and, over 16 laps, reported a distance of 4.02 km against the true 4.00 km—a negligible 0.5% error margin that is among the best in its class. This level of precision instills confidence; when the watch displays a 4:30 min/km pace, you can trust that it is a true reflection of your effort, not a signal-processing artifact. The ability to switch to a battery-saving single-band mode for longer, less technical runs provides a welcome flexibility, but for tempo runs, intervals, and races, the dual-band mode is the clear choice.
Biometric Sensing: Beyond Basic Heart Rate
The Cheetah Pro utilizes the latest BioTracker 5 PPG sensor, featuring dual LED and 4 PD layout for enhanced heart rate monitoring. During steady-state runs, the optical heart rate (HR) reading proved highly reliable, closely matching the data from a paired chest strap, with only minor, expected lag during rapid accelerations. Where it truly excels for the performance-focused athlete is in its high heart rate mode. During all-out intervals where HR spiked above 180 BPM, the watch maintained a stable and accurate lock, avoiding the erratic, spiking readings that plague lesser optical sensors. This is critical for accurately gauging recovery between repeats and ensuring you are hitting the correct intensity zones.
The real-time recovery and performance metrics are where the watch transitions from a data recorder to a coaching aid. The PeakBeats algorithm consolidates data from your run to generate a VO2 Max estimate, Training Effect (how much the run improved your fitness), and Recovery Time. The Recovery Time metric, in particular, proved insightful. After a particularly grueling hill session, it suggested 72 hours, which aligned perfectly with feelings of muscle fatigue, providing a data-driven reason to opt for a light recovery jog instead of another quality day. The inclusion of an ECG app for atrial fibrillation assessment and a skin temperature sensor adds a layer of general wellness monitoring, but the core value for the runner lies in the acute workout data.
The Zepp OS 2.1 Ecosystem: A Focus on Workouts
The software experience is streamlined and purpose-built. Zepp OS 2.1 is responsive, with fluid animations and no perceivable lag when switching data screens mid-run. For structured training, the Cheetah Pro is a powerhouse. You can create complex, multi-interval workouts directly in the Zepp app—complete with target pace, heart rate zones, or cadence—and sync them seamlessly to the watch. During the workout, the watch provides clear, haptic, and visual alerts for step transitions. The “Virtual Pacer” feature is an excellent tool for race day or time trials, providing a constant, easy-to-read display of how far ahead or behind you are from your target pace.
The new Race function is a game-changer for marathoners and half-marathoners. It allows you to import a course GPX file, which then displays as a navigational aid on the watch screen. During a race, this eliminates any doubt about upcoming turns or hills. Furthermore, it can display your predicted finish time based on current pace and even show your position relative to your previous best for that course. This turns the watch into a dynamic race strategist on your wrist. The 32GB of built-in storage allows for offline music playback, syncing with services like Deezer or transferring MP3s directly, enabling a phone-free running experience when paired with Bluetooth headphones.
Battery Life: Endurance for the Long Run
Amazfit rates the Cheetah Pro for up to 14 days of regular use and 30 hours in continuous GPS mode. In real-world testing, these figures are conservative. With an always-on display disabled and about 60 minutes of GPS activity per day, the watch consistently lasted 10-12 days between charges. For pure running endurance, a 20-mile long run with dual-band GPS, music playback via Bluetooth, and optical HR monitoring consumed approximately 35% of the battery. This translates to a reliable 8-9 hours of continuous, full-featured tracking—more than enough for all but the most extreme ultramarathons. Switching to the standard GPS mode or the new Ultra battery saver mode, which extends battery life to 90 hours with GPS, makes it a viable option for multi-day trail adventures. The magnetic charging puck attaches securely and charges the device from 0 to 100% in under two hours.
The Competitive Landscape and Verdict
Positioned against giants like Garmin’s Forerunner series and Coros’ Pace models, the Amazfit Cheetah Pro carves out a distinct niche. It does not attempt to be an all-encompassing adventure watch with mapping and multi-sport profiles for sailing. Instead, its focus is razor-sharp: to provide elite-level accuracy, a premium and lightweight build, and sophisticated workout features specifically for road and track runners. It matches or exceeds competitors in core metrics like dual-band GPS precision and optical HR reliability, while offering a more polished physical design and a superior sapphire glass display at a highly competitive price point. Its limitations, such as a less granular physiological data analysis than Garmin’s Firstbeat analytics or a less extensive third-party app ecosystem, are unlikely to deter the runner whose primary needs are accurate pacing, reliable heart rate, and a robust platform for executing and analyzing structured training. It is a tool that respects the sanctity of your data and gets out of your way, allowing you to focus entirely on the run.