With the T-Rex 3*, Amazfit is launching a smartwatch on the market in fall 2024 that should impress above all with good hardware and an excellent price-performance ratio. According to Amazfit, the watch is primarily aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and fitness fans who value robust workmanship, extensive tracking functions and long battery life. After a month of practical testing, we find out whether the T-Rex 3 lives up to its reputation as the price-performance champion or reveals any weaknesses.
Technical data
The T-Rex 3 is an extensively equipped smartwatch that has nothing to hide from the competition. The Xiaomi subsidiary only offers the watch in one size and one case color.
Product name
T-Rex 3
Operating system compatibility
Android and iOS
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.2, BLE, GPS (dual band and 6 satellite positioning systems), NFC, WiFi 2.4 GHz,
It should be emphasized that the Smartwach gets by with a very economical processor and little RAM thanks to the lightweight Zepp OS 4.0 operating system.
The Amazfit T-Rex 3* impresses with its high-quality workmanship, which shows no flaws whatsoever. The watch case is made of robust metal, which not only gives it an elegant look, but also makes it highly resistant to everyday wear and outdoor activities. A special design element is the striking loop on the right-hand side, which is already familiar from the T-Rex Ultra and gives the watch a characteristic look.
T-Rex 3 packaging
T-Rex 3 bracelet
T-Rex 3 Scope of delivery
The T-Rex 3 has four physical buttons that can be operated precisely and easily. These make navigation easier, especially during sporting activities or in situations where the touchscreen is difficult to access. Operation remains reliable and pleasant at all times.
T-Rex 3 Right side
T-Rex 3 Left side
T-Rex 3 Bottom
The watch strap is interchangeable, but requires a special screwdriver, which is included in the scope of delivery. The wristband supplied has two sturdy straps that do not slip thanks to special fixing elements. This ensures a secure fit, even during intensive movements or long periods of wear. Overall, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 combines a functional design with a robust and sophisticated finish that is both visually and practically impressive.
The T-Rex 3 in everyday life
Operation and user-friendliness
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 impresses in everyday use with its user-friendly and intuitive operation. Thanks to the smooth performance of the system, navigation through the menus is pleasant and takes place without any delays. This ensures a smooth user experience, which is particularly noticeable in everyday use.
T-Rex 3 Watchface
T-Rex 3 Lockscreen
The watch offers two practical options for the display: On the one hand, an always-on display can be activated, which makes the most important information permanently visible. Secondly, the display can be switched on automatically when the wrist is raised. This function worked reliably in the test and its sensitivity can be adjusted as required to suit individual preferences.Another strength of the T-Rex 3 is the large selection of watch faces that can be downloaded via the integrated app store. While this variety covers many tastes, the options for customizing the watch faces are limited. Only a few designs can be customized, and even here the customization options are limited. This can make it difficult to find an optimal design for personal preferences despite the wide selection.
However, there are some weaknesses in the presentation. Text is not always displayed in full, especially when used in German, and occasionally 2-3 text elements appear in English. In addition, the display is not always consistent: for example, the animation when switching between sports differs from other displays. The operation of the map function also leaves mixed impressions – it seems clumsy and not very intuitive. During a training break with map operation, we also noticed a slowdown in reaction time.
Overall, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 scores points with its strong performance and practical functions such as display activation and the large selection of watch faces. Nevertheless, minor weaknesses in the display and map operation as well as limited customization options tarnish the otherwise positive overall impression somewhat.
Smart features and connectivity
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 offers a solid selection of smart functions that make everyday life easier and make it a versatile companion. Integration with smartphones works with both Android and iOS. The options under iOS are of course somewhat limited due to Apple’s restrictions and are only available on the Apple Watch. For example, it is not possible to send direct replies to messages from the watch. Nevertheless, the notification function is impressive, especially in comparison to the Garmin watches. Even if a handful of notifications did not arrive on the watch during the test period of one month.
T-Rex 3 Notification
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 supports the generation of AI-based responses via ChatGPT using an active smartphone connection. In the test, this function worked without any problems: questions or short queries (e.g. “How old is Donald Trump”) were displayed directly on the watch. However, this is an indirect integration – the queries are processed via the smartphone and the answers are then displayed on the watch. This is a practical additional function for quick information queries, even if it does not come close to the direct control of Google Assistant or Siri.
Although the T-Rex 3 supports sleep recording, this was not actively used in the test – partly due to the rather clunky design, which is less comfortable to wear at night. Generally speaking, the accuracy of sleep analysis via smartwatches is limited for technical reasons and only partially reliable. According to external tests by specialized platforms, even the T-Rex 3 does not deliver consistently precise results. In addition, the detailed evaluation of sleep quality in the Zepp app requires a paid subscription (Zepp Aura), which makes its use unattractive for many.
Zepp App Store
Zepp overview
Zepp sleep analysis
Another smart feature is the NFC payment function via Zepp Pay. This enables contactless payment, but its use in Germany is severely limited as only a few banks are directly supported. A detour via third-party providers such as Curve is possible, but not ideal.
The watch’s functionality can be expanded via the integrated app store. For example, small applications for controlling action cams such as GoPro or DJI can also be installed. Another practical feature is the ability to trigger the iPhone camera directly from the watch – a function that is particularly useful for group photos or self-portraits.
T-Rex 3 settings
T-Rex 3 App List
T-Rex 3 Widgets
T-Rex 3 Shortcuts
However, there is room for optimization when it comes to software updates: A 30 MB update took 15 minutes to download in the test and another 7 minutes to install. After the update, two fields on the clock face had also disappeared, but could be restored via the settings.
Overall, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 offers a good balance between smart features and suitability for everyday use. Although it does not have the range of functions of an Apple Watch, it scores points with practical additional functions such as remote camera control, ChatGPT voice search and integration with action cams. Minor weaknesses in the notifications or the long update times only slightly dampen the overall impression.
Battery life and charging speed
The battery life of the Amazfit T-Rex 3 is one of its strongest features, even if it decreased slightly after a software update. At the beginning of the test, the watch lasted an impressive 21 to 25 days with automatic training detection activated. After the update, the runtime was reduced to around 15 to 17 days. These values were achieved when the watch was used for 3 to 4 sports sessions per week, with GPS rarely being used. In addition, the always-on display was deactivated and no sleep was recorded. However, a slightly shorter runtime can be expected for more frequent sporting activities with active GPS or when using additional functions such as sleep tracking.
T-Rex 3 charging connection
T-Rex 3 charging connection
The charging speed is also impressive: in the test, the watch could be charged to 50% in just 44 minutes, which is faster than Amazfit claims. This makes charging uncomplicated and suitable for everyday use.
Overall, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 remains one of the most durable smartwatches on the market. The combination of long battery life and fast charging speed makes it particularly attractive for power users who do not want to constantly charge their watch, even during regular sporting activities.
Sports and outdoor functions
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is specially designed to meet the needs of sports and outdoor enthusiasts and offers an impressive variety of functions. With support for over 170 sports, including unusual activities such as chess or driving, the watch covers almost all interests. This versatility makes it a flexible companion for a wide range of sporting preferences.
T-Rex 3 Configurable training screens
T-Rex 3 Heart rate
According to specialized external tests, the accuracy of the heart rate measurement is on a par with an Apple Watch or Garmin. However, the test occasionally measured values that were too high in the first few minutes of training. This problem has already been significantly improved by an update, so that the measurements are now more reliable at the start of training. Apart from altitude recording, the watch’s GPS works very reliably and provides precise data when recording distances. The altitude measurement, on the other hand, was less precise. Although the values can be subsequently corrected in the Zepp app, they sometimes delivered unrealistically high or low results. Interestingly, the data exported to Strava, for example, was plausible, which indicates automatic post-processing. On a positive note, the reliable and problem-free transfer of training data to Apple Health should be emphasized, which enables seamless integration into the iOS ecosystem.
Zepp Training 3
Zepp Training 4
Connectivity with external devices is generally good, but showed weaknesses in detail. A cadence sensor could be paired without any problems, but this data was missing from the automatic transfer to Strava. The option to transfer the watch’s heart rate to external devices did not work as expected in the test. It worked with an app, but unfortunately not with the bike computer. It is possible to individually select and save for each sport whether the heart rate should be transmitted to external devices.
Zepp Training 1
Zepp Training 2
During training, the T-Rex 3 offers various options for configuring the data display. Users can individually determine which values such as heart rate, distance or calories burned should be displayed, allowing the watch to be flexibly adapted to different needs. There is also a kind of coach function that suggests workouts. However, these suggestions are not always useful – for example, a 15-minute workout with a heart rate in the range of 160 to 175 beats per minute, which is likely to be unrealistic for many users.
In practice, the map function proved to be in need of improvement. During a training break, operation was sluggish and slow, which can affect the user flow. However, the automatic training detection function, which reliably recognizes activities such as walking or running after around five minutes, is a positive feature. However, the watch automatically ends a workout if it is paused for too long – a behavior that does not occur with manually started workouts.
Overall, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 offers a good experience and impresses as a versatile sports watch with precise sensors and many configuration options during training. The reliable integration with Apple Health is also a clear plus point. Nevertheless, despite its strengths, it doesn’t quite reach the level of a Garmin, especially when it comes to finesse and user experience. For the price, however, it remains a strong alternative with a wide range of functions for sporting activities of all kinds.
Conclusion of the Amazfit T-Rex 3 test
The Amazfit T-Rex 3* impresses with an outstanding hardware base that offers high-quality materials, robust workmanship and precise sensors. The watch sets standards, particularly in terms of value for money, as comparable models are often significantly more expensive. The battery life, fast charging speed and versatile sports and outdoor functions make it an attractive overall package.
The watch delivers a solid performance in everyday use and during training, but does not quite reach the level of Apple and Garmin. The strengths of the T-Rex 3 are limited by some weaknesses in the software. These include minor problems with the display and transmission of sensor data. These points tarnish the overall impression somewhat, but only affect the software and not the hardware.
For all those who can live with the limitations mentioned or for whose intended use these points are not decisive, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 offers a very good smartwatch at an unbeatable price. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a robust and versatile watch without spending a fortune.
PRO
Good hardware base with precise sensors
High-quality materials with robust workmanship
Good battery life
Smart features such as camera shutter release
Very good price-performance ratio
CONTRA
Various software problems
Unknown update policy
(Rare) disconnections from the smartphone
Processing
Suitability for everyday use
Sport functions
Battery
Price-performance ratio
90/100
Very good smartwatch with an excellent price-performance ratio. Weaknesses in the software.
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