Amazfit GTR 2e Review: It’s the GTR 2, Just Cheaper
Amazfit GTR 2e Smartwatch
“The Amazfit GTR 2e is almost exactly the same as the Amazfit GTR 2, only $ 40 cheaper. Save yourself some cash and buy this one. "
-
Lots of workout and health tracking functions
-
Low price
-
Nice design
-
Convenient to carry
-
Limited notification support
-
Battery life much shorter than advertised
Smartwatch and wearables company Amazfit decided that their already inexpensive GTR 2 smartwatch wasn't good enough and announced the GTR 2e at CES 2021. It costs $ 140 compared to the $ 180 GTR 2 and looks almost identical on the surface.
Dig deeper and there are few changes that make us wonder why we should buy the GTR 2 in the first place. After a while with the GTR 2e, the answer is clear: save some money and buy the cheaper one. Let's get to the why.
design
Before we start, you should know that like the GTR 2, there are two models – the Amazfit GTR 2e with a round case and the GTS 2e with a square case, similar to the Apple Watch. Apart from the differences in design, the two watches are identical. So if you prefer the square version and want to know if it's any good, don't worry as all of the following about the GTR 2e apply to the GTS 2e.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The design definitely lets you know that the GTR 2e is a "watch" as it has little visual impact as it is round, has two buttons and is attached to a bracelet. It's definitely not unattractive, but a little generic. The GTR 2e is available in a few colors, including a lighter green. In black, however, it is a simple, stealthy and inconspicuous smartwatch on the wrist.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The case is made of aluminum alloy with curved glass over a 1.65-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels and a PPI density of 341 pixels per inch, just like the GTR 2. Amazfit says it was vacuum coated applied to the tempered glass to ensure that it will withstand fingerprints. However, it doesn't have the added scratch protection that you get on the GTR 2's glass. The 2.5D curve on the body and glass is supposed to be different from the GTR 2's 3D curve, but I can barely feel any change when I directly compare the two.
Amazfit GTR 2e (right) and Amazfit GTR 2 (left) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
It feels solid but is very light and can feel a little cheap. For example, the case back is plastic, and although it's made of glass above the screen, it's so thin that it doesn't feel like it. There are two buttons on the side of the body, the top one with a sporty red flash, and they have a precise, if not very tactile feel. It's all attached to a simple black silicone bracelet that offers lots of customization options and doesn't get uncomfortable. Due to the light construction and the soft strap, I was happy to wear the GTR 2e day and night.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Dislikes surround the screen. The bezel of the GTR 2e is simpler and that of the GTR 2 and optically not so conspicuous. The thick bezel around the screen is very noticeable in some lighting conditions and angles. While the curve makes it easier to wipe, the tempered glass doesn't feel as comfortable. It's nowhere near as fluid or deliciously cold to the touch as the Apple Watch or high-quality Wear OS smartwatches like the Citizen CZ Smart. The small collection of watch faces is generic and boring.
Due to the light construction and the soft strap, I was happy to wear the GTR 2e day and night
You can't have it all for $ 140, and overall, the GTR 2e is a nice-looking, if somewhat generic, solidly made smartwatch. Despite the price difference, it isn't much different from the GTR 2 either, and there's absolutely no reason to spend more on it.
Software and operations
The Amazfit GTR 2e uses the company's own operating system rather than Google's Wear operating system, which syncs with the Zepp app on your phone. The setup process is quick, possibly faster than setting up a Wear OS watch. For the app, however, you need to check the phone's settings to give it various permissions. When you do this, you'll get notifications more reliably than most Wear OS smartwatches.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Scrolling through the menus on the watch is done by swiping up and down the screen. The layout is familiar to anyone who has used a modern smartwatch – down for shortcuts, up for notifications, and up for various tile-style widgets. while the buttons open the menu or activate the training tracking.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Scrolling through the menus, opening the apps, and generally interacting with the watch is painless. It's fast and fluid enough not to be disruptive. Just don't expect the Apple Watch to be polished and smooth. Notifications are mostly reliable, but not every app delivers them. Microsoft Teams, for example, was a no-show, and when they arrive the text is sometimes strangely formatted. You can't interact with them either. Therefore, consider the notifications of the GTR 2e for your information only. When activated to wake up, the incoming notification is not always displayed, which reduces convenience.
I used the GTR 2e connected to a Xiaomi Mi 11 smartphone. The Zepp app collects all of your fitness tracking data and also has various settings for the watch. It's more functional than beautiful, and for the most part has remained attached to the watch. There is a notification on the phone that makes it clear if the connection has been disconnected. This is helpful if the bluetooth fails in rare cases. The GTR 2e doesn't have WiFi, the biggest spec difference from the GTR 2, but I didn't notice the lack.
Amazfit GTR 2e (below) and Amazfit GTR 2 (above) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The GTR 2e is a relatively simple smartwatch as it doesn't use apps. Hence, I didn't miss the WiFi which usually allows for faster app performance. I also didn't notice the GTR 2e connection to my phone dropping regularly, so I didn't feel like the lack of WiFi was affecting general usage at all. Another feature that is missing compared to the GTR 2 is a loudspeaker so that you cannot take calls on your watch.
The GTR 2e doesn't have WiFi, the biggest spec difference from the GTR 2, but I didn't notice the lack.
When I first tried an Amazfit product, the software was one of the worst aspects. The company has continuously and significantly improved the watch's app and operating system since then. This is no longer a reason not to buy. It's great to see that the software has improved over the version installed on my GTR 2 review, including more workouts and faster activity tracking detection. It's not as fully functional or polished as Apple, Samsung, or Google operating systems, but it can be used on a daily basis. Although the software has been shown to be reliable, battery performance suggests that optimization is required.
battery
Amazfit states that the GTR 2e's battery is typically used for 24 days. This is 10 days more than expected from the GTR 2. However, this goal was not achieved or even came close in my reporting period. Without the automatic heart rate tracking required for features like Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) measurement, a single daily non-GPS exercise and sleep tracking depleted the battery about 10% per day.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Turn on heart rate tracking with the one-minute interval recommended by the PAI app and the constantly active time display. The battery had dropped to 20% on the sixth day and had to be recharged on the seventh day. This was a major disappointment as even with these active, performance hungry features, it still misses Amazfit's goal of heavy use for 12 days. The battery should be one of the main advantages of the GTR 2e, but instead it's its biggest disappointment.
Fitness tracking and other functions
Health Amazing instead of Smartwatch functions is the specialty of the Amazfit GTR 2e. There is a huge list of 90+ activities that can be tracked on the GTR 2e. All activities can be called up via the lower button on the housing or via the menu. The displayed list can be edited so that your favorite workouts are immediately available. The data is clearly displayed on the watch. Starting and stopping the workout is easy. There's GPS for running and biking, as well as a heart rate monitor for detailed tracking and data.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Keeping track of indoor activities is quick and easy, and provides the usual information like calories, elapsed time, heart rate, and handy stats like the heart rate zone when you're on a stationary bike. Swimming does have some extra stroke data but doesn't have specific stats like SWOLF, while the GPS signal is captured in around 20 seconds when you are outside.
With the GTR 2e you can get a comprehensive picture of your health.
In addition to the heart rate sensor, the GTR 2e has a blood oxygen sensor (Sp02) and can also measure stress. None of these are medical grade, so the results are best treated as reference, although the Sp02 data can be of benefit in tracking sleep. I've found the results to be the same as the Apple Watch. The Amazfit GTR 2e also has a built-in temperature sensor that the more expensive GTR 2 does not have. It measures the skin temperature when worn or the ambient temperature when it is not and also serves as a reference.
The Zepp app from Amazfit shows training data Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Amazfit Zepp app with watch data and settings Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Amazfit's Zepp app displays step count data Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Amazfits Zepp app with sleep data Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Combine all of this with Personal Activity Intelligence metrics and sleep tracking. The GTR 2e allows you to get a complete picture of your health, even if you are a relatively dedicated fitness fanatic. The package disappoints with the Zepp app, which hides your workout data and isn't particularly inspiring. The app is far less user-friendly than the wellness app from Fossil or as visually appealing as Apple Health or Google Fit. However, it can be linked to popular apps like Google Fit and Strava.
Temperature sensor of the Amazfit GTR 2e Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
For my daily, simple fitness tracking needs, the Amazfit GTR 2e has everything I need. I really appreciated the updated workout list compared to the version I used for the GTR 2 and consider the watch a step further than a simple tracker like the Galaxy Fit 2 and a better workout partner than more fashionable smartwatches like the Citizen CZ Smart.
Price and availability
The Amazfit GTR 2e is priced at $ 140, or £ 120, and is available on Amazon – at the time of writing, it's available for just $ 125. It is available in either black, gray or muted mint green.
Our opinion
You pay less for the GTR 2e than you do for the GTR 2, and while there are some style and design differences between them, they're barely noticeable. Removing Wi-Fi won't affect battery life, which is nowhere near as good as advertised, but all fitness and health metrics are the same.
I have already recommended the Amazfit GTR 2 and not only recommend the GTR 2e to anyone who wants a fitness-oriented smartwatch without spending too much on one. It really is a better buy compared to the GTR 2. They are neither design-oriented nor do they have significant material advantages, so why not just buy the cheaper one?
Is there a better alternative?
The Amazfit GTR 2e is much cheaper than our usual smartwatch recommendations. If cost is not an issue, the Apple Watch is the smartwatch you can buy if you own an iPhone, or for Android phone owners we recommend either the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. All of these are but at least all twice as expensive as the Amazfit GTR 2e.
They're also true smartwatches, meaning they run apps and offer better smartphone integration. If you're more interested in fitness tracking than the smartwatch aspects of it, consider a model from Fitbit. The $ 230 Fitbit Versa 3 has a watch-like design and features, as does a $ 120 Fitbit Charge 4 with just a traditional fitness band design.
What about the Amazfit GTR 2? It costs a little more than the GTR 2e, but does not offer any additional, indispensable functions and the construction and material advantages are minimal. When you look at a smartwatch like the Amazfit GTR 2 and GTR 2e, budget probably plays a huge role. So you can save as much as possible and make the GTR 2e for sale.
How long it will take?
The watch strap, metal case, and glass shade should be durable if you handle it normally. It also has a water resistance of 50 meters so you can swim with it. If the Zepp app is still supported by Amazfit, it will technically last two or more years. The design is relatively generic, however, and you may get tired of what it looks like before the watch or software is out of date.
There are also enough fitness features to keep both casual and more dedicated fitness fans happy with the watch. Even if your habits or interests change, the versatility of the Amazfit GTR 2e means you won't have to suddenly upgrade if you decide to go surfing or long distance running.
Should you buy it?
Yes. The battery life may not be as impressive as the specs stated, but it is decent and will hopefully be improved with a software update soon. Apart from that, the Amazfit GTR 2e is a reliable, inexpensive, fitness-oriented smartwatch.
Editor's recommendations
