This is the Amazfit T-Rex Pro
7.9/10
Design
8.0/10
Easy To Use
7.5/10
Application
8.0/10
Money for Money
8.0/10
Pros
- Excellent value for money.
- Design that is both robust and practical.
- Accurate recording and monitoring of activity
- Software that is both easy and trustworthy to use.
- 18 days on a single charge
Cons
- Only a few intelligent functions
- No apps from third parties are allowed.
The choice of a rugged watch may not be one that everyone makes. On the other hand, those who enjoy being outdoors tend to buy them in large quantities. This includes people who like activities such as hiking, skiing, and other outdoor pursuits. Most of the time, these kinds of devices are bulky, but they have good navigation systems, long-lasting batteries, and are built to last in most situations.
There are various products available in this category from a number of different manufacturers, including Garmin, Suunto, and Casio. Apple may be working on a version of its watch that is more resistant to damage, according to rumors.
This group also includes Huami, which is now known as Zepp Health after its previous name. The Amazfit T-Rex Pro is the company’s offering in the market for tough smartwatches. The product, which has been on the market for a few years now, has a respectable assortment of features while maintaining an affordable price.
After releasing T-Rex a month ago, Zepp Health has now come up with a new product. The Pro version has a number of improvements that make it better, such as better water resistance and more sensors.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been putting the T-Rex Pro through its paces. My thoughts are as follows.
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A review of the Amazfit T-Rex Pro focusing on the design.
- Despite its robust design, it weighs only 59 grams.
- 15 certifications of a military-grade standard
- 18 days on a single charge
Visually identical to the regular version in every way
The Amazfit T-Rex Pro and the standard model both have the same outward appearance. Both of them measure 47.7 millimeters on a side and have a thickness of 13.5 millimeters, and they share the same ultra-rugged appearance. From their outward appearance, they could easily be mistaken for one another. If you aren’t familiar with the differences between the two, it can be challenging to tell them apart.
These are high-performance sports timepieces that are built to withstand quite a bit of abuse. Their housing is constructed out of a high-strength polymer that is resistant to impacts from drops and shocks as well as the effects of the elements. The accessory won’t add extra weight to your wrist like it would if it were made of steel, for instance, because that kind of substance is used instead. The watch itself weighs only 59 grams when equipped with the 22mm strap.
The differences between the two generations can be seen in the small particulars. A metallic painting look is applied to the bezel of the Pro model, which is a nice touch. The old plain wristband has been replaced with one that has a two-tone silicone design, which is another good upgrade. Both of these make the watch look a little bit more like a high-end product.
The band has a very smooth and pleasant texture thanks to some degree of elasticity in it. It is important to note that there is no quick release mechanism, which makes it difficult to switch out the strap with another one of your choosing. However, the band that is given works great; it does not get dirty, and it dries out quite quickly.
The overall look of the T-Rex Pro is one that prioritizes functionality over aesthetics. This is probably not something you will be bragging about on a night out, but those looking for an adventurer’s watch will be interested in this type of form-factor.
The timepiece is offered for purchase in a number of color palettes to choose from. Included in this are the colors Steel Blue, Desert Gray, and Meteorite Black. As can be seen from the photographs included in this post, I already own the item that comes in first place on this list.
Resilience to water and wear and tear
The water-resistance rating has been set at 10 ATM. This indicates that you are able to submerge the item to a depth of one hundred meters in English. That ought to be more than enough for everyone, with the possible exception of those who are interested in deep sea diving. One of the enhancements that were made from the first version, which simply had a water-resistance stamp of 5 ATM, was this one.
The Pro version features a variety of US Military grade certifications, which not only demonstrate its great water resistance but also demonstrate the level of longevity it possesses. The sum is 15, which is an increase of three from the version that is not Pro. In this essay, I won’t mention each and every one of them, but you can take my word for it that the device is really sturdy and will not break easily. That is the concept behind this particular model of watch.
The display is really high quality
In addition to this, there is a focus on functionality in the design of the display. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 shields the 1.3-inch AMOLED display, which has a resolution of 360 by 360 pixels and measures in at 1.3 inches. Because of this mix, it is quite easy to spot it in almost any environment. The brightness is automatically changed by a sensor that detects the amount of light in the room.
The bezel that surrounds the display might have been a little thinner in my opinion, and I would have appreciated that. However, this most likely contributes to the device’s ability to withstand impacts and drops.
You can change the brightness of the screen, the amount of time it takes for the screen to wake up, and other settings as well. You also have the option of selecting always-on, which is a more practical choice. This changes the face of the watch from one that displays all of the watch’s functions to one that only displays the time. This was a fantastic pairing in my opinion. The warning that appears when you change the option explains the restriction, which states that the change will “severely” affect the amount of time the battery will last. Additionally, it cuts the time down to just a few days.
The screen of the T-Rex Pro includes a covering that prevents fingerprints. This is helpful because the display is designed to be navigated using both the touch screen and the four physical buttons that are labeled Up, Down, Back, and Select. The final one of these can be modified to carry out any action that you specify in order to meet your needs.
Those who are used to wearing standard Amazfit or Zepp watches might discover that the four-button mechanism is a little bit challenging to use. Absolutely, that was me. The explanation for this is that the other timepieces only have one or two physical buttons. This indicates that getting acclimated to the controls will require some time and effort on your part. Throughout the years, I’ve put quite a few watches made by Huami through their paces, so navigating the settings of the T-Rex Pro was definitely a learning experience for me.
For instance, I had a difficult time finding out how to stop running altogether. Something that was straightforward in the past has unexpectedly become complicated. However, despite the fact that it was irritating, I think there is some logic to it. It is probable that using the touchscreen to navigate the menus will be impossible if you are outside in the snow or hiking up a mountain. Especially if you had gloves on at the time. When seen from that perspective, it is preferable to use the physical buttons.
You can choose from five different watch faces that are pre-installed on the device. Pressing the display for an extended period of time will reveal them and allow you to switch between them. The mobile app contains a further selection of them for your convenience. In addition to this, there are a great many that can be installed via supplementary software. These watch faces have spawned the development of a whole community.
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Sensors and the life of the battery
This is one of the watches produced by Huami that has one of the most extensive lists of technical specifications. There is a lot going on under the hood. The comprehensive list of sensors includes the most recent version of the BioTracker 2 PPG biological tracking optical sensor, as well as a geomagnetic sensor, barometric altimeter, 3-axis acceleration sensor, and 3-axis gyroscope. Additionally, an ambient light sensor is included. The Pro version now has the ability to monitor blood oxygen levels as well as stress levels, in addition to an altimeter, making it an improvement over its predecessor.
Satellite navigation represents another area that has seen significant advancements. When used together, the four global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo) will guarantee that you will never become disoriented. Previously, you were only able to rely on the first two options.
Battery life is another feature that stands out. The T-Rex Pro has a battery life that can last for up to 18 days between charges. Because of the improved specifications, this version can be completed in a couple of days less than the standard version. On the other hand, the battery life with satellite location turned on has been increased to a huge 40 hours.
During my testing, I discovered that these statistics are accurate representations of reality. However, you will need to make some adjustments to the settings. The greater the number of features that are activated, the greater the drain on the battery will be. You are able to choose the frequency of heart rate monitoring, pick how precise you want your sleep statistics to be, toggle all-day stress monitoring, and a variety of other functions.
On the other hand, I rarely find myself searching for the charging cable. The magnetic, two-pin pogo pin charger can be attached to the watch’s pins on the rear in order to refuel the huge 390mAh LiPo battery. The pins are located on the back of the watch. One of the good things about having such a big clock is that it gives the device room for a big battery.
Monitoring of physical activity and health
- All the typical data pertaining to physical fitness and sleep
- stress on the demand for blood oxygen. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- I slept well tonight.
Those individuals who do not wish to spend an excessive amount of money on yet another outdoorsy watch, such as a Garmin Instinct or Fenix, have an option to consider in the form of the Amazfit T-Rex. Although the amount of functionality you receive will be reduced, you will still receive a satisfactory amount.
The watch runs on the same bespoke operating system as all other Amazfit and Zepp wristwatches already have loaded on them. There are no instances of instability or software issues whatsoever, and it is quite easy to use. It is also highly stable and smooth. Those who are transitioning from WearOS will find using this new platform invigorating.
There isn’t much of a difference between this watch and other models of Amazfit and Zepp watches when it comes to the fitness and activity monitoring capabilities. You receive the standard activity metrics, blood oxygen measurements whenever you want them, and stress tracking at all hours of the day and night. On the watch itself, you can check out the daily numbers, but the Zepp app on your smartphone is where you’ll find more detail and information about longer-term patterns.
The only thing that is missing at this point is a count of the floors. Which is strange, taking into consideration that the watch does have a barometric altimeter, which is typically what is utilized to estimate values of this kind of metric. In addition to this, I had hoped that the SpO2 monitoring would be automated during the day, but unfortunately this is not the case.
PAI is an essential component in every watch that Huami manufactures. Over the course of my life, I’ve come to appreciate the metric system. It monitors your heart rate throughout the day as a substitute for the more conventional counting of steps. When you engage in physical activity, your heart rate will increase. The PAI metric keeps track of all of this activity and gives you a score each day based on it.
The objective is to reach 100 and then maintain a value that is higher than that. Studies have shown that doing so can add several years to your life when you are in good condition.
Huami has been putting in a lot of hard work to make the smartphone app more user-friendly, which is a significant improvement from its previous state.
Particularly detailed are the statistics regarding sleep. You will receive a daily sleep score in addition to having the ability to record naps, the various stages of sleep, and respiratory statistics. In addition to that, the app will provide you with suggestions on how you might enhance the quality of sleep you get each night.
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Keeping score in sports
Both the heart rate monitor and the GPS function properly, and they can track over 100 different sports. It can also automatically recognize VO2Max, training load, and training effect.
The Pro version adds some new sports functionality to the original and builds on its success. To begin with, users can now keep track of more than 100 different sports. On the prior model, they had a total of only 14.
One hundred of the most common and well-liked forms of outdoor recreation are included. Something known as ExerSense is brand new as well. It will recognize and keep track of eight different sorts of workouts automatically in the event that you fail to turn them on manually. During the short weeks that I tested it, the auto-functionality never activated. Therefore, I am unable to say for certain whether or not it is functional.
In a somewhat interesting turn of events, Firstbeat metrics make an appearance. VO2Max, training load, and training effect are a few examples of these. It is my hope that Amazfit will incorporate more of them into their watches.
I went for a number of runs while wearing a Garmin Forerunner 935 on one wrist and a T-Rex Pro on the other. The value of Vo2Max that was estimated by Amazfit was significantly lower than the amount that Garmin recorded. Nevertheless, I will withhold judgment as it is customarily necessary to wait at least a month before the value can be accurately evaluated. Since both businesses use Firstbeat Metrics, it is safe to assume that the algorithms are the same.
Reading your stats on T-Large Rex’s screen is easy to use even as you’re moving around the course. You can’t truly customize the fields like you can with a Garmin; the app will always show you the information it was designed to display. However, you will be able to view all of the essential information, such as the distance covered, the pace at which you are moving, your heart rate, and an auto-pause button.
Despite the fact that it does not provide a great deal in the way of advanced performance measures, the T-Rex Pro should satisfy the requirements of the vast majority of runners. Runners who are serious about their sport could be better served by purchasing a watch that is specifically designed for running.
Over the course of the past year, Huami has made significant strides toward improving its GPS location. It doesn’t take long to get a signal, and the statistics are on par with those of Garmin. Simply make sure that the A-GPS files are updated on a regular basis. When you sync the watch with the Zepp app on your smartphone, this is taken care of for you automatically.
Because the watch can communicate with both BeDou and Galileo satellites, the satellite positioning should be even more accurate when used on circuitous routes as was previously described. As far as positioning systems go, the original only supports GPS and GLONASS.
The heart rate monitor on the T-Rex Pro performs admirably during physical activity, in contrast to some of the other devices in the Amazfit range. It is likely that the size and weight of the gadget make it simpler to obtain a reliable signal from the wrist.
On the Amazfit, a recent run of four kilometers produced an average heart rate of 149 beats per minute (bpm) and a maximum heart rate of 172 bpm. According to the Polar OH1, the readings are 155 and 173 beats per minute, respectively. During the run, the Amazfit did not show any abnormal decreases or peaks in the user’s heart rate. This is the most critical finding.
Following that, I took another 4K run a few days later, and Amazfit determined that my average heart rate was 158 beats per minute and that my maximum heart rate was 175 beats per minute. The Polar put the numbers at 161 and 172 beats per minute, respectively. Therefore, the differences are to be expected, yet, when it comes to the T-Rex, they are not particularly significant.
The fact of the matter is that a wrist watch cannot produce heart rate data of the same quality that a chest strap can. If the Amazfit had the capability of connecting to external chest straps, it would be a far superior fitness tracker. But it doesn’t. In my opinion, Huami should place a strong emphasis on that as one of their highest priorities.
Intelligence functions
- Simple controls for the music
- text messages, phone calls, and app notifications.
- No third-party apps
Notifications for text messages, phone calls, and app activity are also provided by the watch. Because of their simplicity, you shouldn’t expect them to function like an Apple Watch.
There is simply vibration on board, as there is neither a speaker nor a microphone. This means that you are unable to respond to texts by speaking or answering calls from the device itself. The mobile app on your smartphone lets you choose exactly which alerts you want to get. This way, you won’t be bothered by too many unwanted messages.
Other smart functionality includes things like being able to find your phone, having a flashlight, and other similar features. Although there is no built-in storage for music, when coupled with a smartphone, you will have access to some basic smartphone music controls.
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The conclusion of our examination of the Amazfit T-Rex Pro
The Amazfit T-Rex Pro is a watch designed for people who enjoy being outside that is both lightweight and robust. This new edition offers a number of helpful enhancements in comparison to the earlier version. When all of these factors are considered together, the watch emerges as an even more compelling choice for individuals who do not wish to spend an arm and a leg on an outside watch.
The most fundamental functions, including tracking of activity, sleep, and sports, are executed correctly; the operating system is uncomplicated, fluid, and dependable; and the display is clear and easy to read. In addition, you won’t need to alter it too frequently. It is quite evident that there is much to enjoy.
The T-Rex Pro, on the other hand, does not come packaged with an excessive number of intelligent capabilities. There is no built-in audio storage, speaker, or microphone, and there is no support for third-party apps. Additionally, the alerts are very simple.
In general, you do not receive as much capability as you would with the higher-end competition, but the T-Rex Pro may be purchased for significantly less than their pricing. It is a pretty good offer if you are interested in durable sports watches that have decent tracking capabilities for your health and activities.
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