T-Rex Ultra 2: Affordable Outdoor Smartwatch Alternative to Garmin

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is positioned as a robust outdoor smartwatch designed for adventurers seeking comprehensive features without the high cost associated with devices like the Garmin Fenix 8 or Apple Watch Ultra 3. Priced identically at £549/$549, it includes multiple advanced features such as a large 1.5-inch AMOLED display, dual-band GPS, offline color maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and a built-in LED flashlight.

The watch operates on ZeppOS and is cross-platform compatible with both Android and iOS devices; however, the article notes that iPhone users do not benefit from quick reply functionality. It supports Bluetooth calling, voice memos, and contactless payments. Despite these features, its application store and overall ecosystem are reportedly behind those of competitors such as Garmin, Apple, and Wear OS watches.

In terms of physical design, the watch features a 51mm titanium bezel mounted on a polymer case. With dimensions of 14.3mm thickness and just under 90g, it is described as noticeably large for some wearers. Although boasting military-grade resistance and 45-meter dive capability, its size may prove cumbersome.

The high-resolution 1.5-inch AMOLED screen offers a peak brightness of 3,000 nits; however, the source cautions that visibility in bright sunlight can still be challenging at certain angles. The watch ships with an included silicone strap that is noted to be both robust and easily swappable.

For tracking capabilities, the T-Rex Ultra 2 provides very strong GPS accuracy, though it reportedly falls slightly below the top performance metrics of Garmin, Apple, and Suunto. Heart rate monitoring presents a mixed experience, with reported inaccuracies during high-intensity workouts, partly attributed to the device’s large size. To improve data precision, external heart rate monitors and cycling sensors can be connected.

The watch supports over 180 sports modes and offers comprehensive training insights alongside recovery recommendations and automatic exercise recognition. Furthermore, it integrates seamlessly with popular platforms including Strava, Runkeeper, Apple Health, and Google Fit. While mapping features are detailed, transferring maps from the Zepp app has been reported as a slow process, potentially taking between 20 and 30 minutes.

Battery life remains one of the watch’s main strengths. Equipped with an 870mAh cell, it promises up to 30 days of typical use and 10 days when utilizing the always-on display. For GPS tracking specifically, the advertised range is between 50 and 177 hours depending on the mode. In real-world testing, a review found the performance very good, noting only a 10% drop during heavy usage days; however, this conflicted with initial data, as an hour of tracking was observed to drain approximately 5%.

The overall conclusion is that the T-Rex Ultra 2 largely functions as an affordable and successful alternative to premium Garmin models. It delivers robust design elements, extensive outdoor features, and impressive battery longevity. However, the source suggests that the T-Rex 3 Pro might be a wiser choice for most users, offering similar qualities at a lower cost, unless the larger display, extended battery life, or flashlight feature is considered essential.

Source: Trusted Reviews