Amazfit, a subsidiary of Xiaomi, has now become an exceptional brand when it comes to smartwatches. It is among the brands that at the moment are best able to withstand the competition of the two main wearable systems, namely watchOS and Android Wear. After the success of Amazfit Bip, the Pace model, the Verge and many others, Amazfit GTR, the most elegant of the line, also arrives in Italy.
Let's start with the design, certainly one of the main features of this model. It is the most classic of Amazfit wearables, and it is hard to distinguish it from a traditional watch. It features a steel case, a round display and two buttons on the right side. On the surface it looks like a normal analog clock, which we feel we can really please anyone.
Only the size could be faulted, because on paper the 47mm might seem too many, even if on the wrist, it is absolutely enviable.
On the back insists the sensor for detecting the heartbeat, as well as two magnetic contacts that allow you to easily house the smartwtach on its charging base. The strap is made of leather on the front, and silicone on the back.
The materials are good, the leather not of a particularly high quality, but still very well finished and able to support the overall elegance of the smartwatch, and certainly not disfigure.
The silicone on the back of the smartwatch, at first glance, could slightly lower the general quality of the product, but in reality it is not: it is very comfortable on the wrist and also allows you to use the elegant watch for physical activity, considering that the silicone will come into contact with sweat more easily, avoiding damaging the leather of the strap .
Functions and use
At the time of writing, to pair the smartwatch it is necessary to install the Amazfit app on the smartphone , as the MiFit app is not (yet) compatible. In the days when the watch arrived in the editorial office, unfortunately, a firmware update had made the UI completely unreadable, probably due to an error in the coloring of the writings: almost certainly the upgrade transforms the writings into black, which on a black background they were completely invisible. Fortunately, the problem was solved after about three days, a clear sign that the responsible team is attentive to problems related to possible FW bugs.
The pairing with the smartphone took place quickly and flawlessly: it is sufficient to frame the clock face from the Amazfit app where the QR code is shown. The watch has a menu already localized in Italian, even if at the moment some words seem to be translated too literally, which can certainly be improved. There are still some small flaws in the translation, but considering that the product has only been available in Italy for a few hours, it is a justifiable lack.
The operating system used by the watch is Amzfit proprietary, therefore nothing to do with Google's Wear. Starting from the main watchfaces , slides in a horizontal line are sufficient to access the steps taken and the heart rate calculation, while a slide downwards allows the user to access the quick settings, such as display brightness, battery, flashlight, and screen lock.
On the contrary, a slide upwards will allow you to access the actual menu. From here you can view the following screens:
Status , which shows the steps, calories burned, and any sedentary notices that the watch notified us during the day.
HR is, instead, the menu dedicated to the calculation of the heartbeat. Comparing it with other known smartwatch and smartband models, the result returned during our tests is always plausible and accurate, even if not as lightning-fast as other competitors.
It is pleasing to note that the automatic beat control feature is available, which will be constantly checked throughout the day, updating itself at regular intervals.
It is also possible to insert a threshold above which to receive notifications and alarms on a heartbeat that is not too regular.
The third tab (the order can still be modified from the app) is the one relating to the exercises. Amazfit GTR can track, also thanks to the GPS + GLONASS combination, activities such as running, walking, cycling, treadmill, exercise bike, swimming, elliptical, mountaineering, skiing, running on the track and various exercises.
As for the track of the exercises , Amazfit behaves decisively and offers all the most useful information on the screen during the activity. The screen is well backlit and even in direct sunlight it can read almost flawlessly, as long as it is at maximum brightness.
The problem, if we can define it that way, is that we would not recommend the use of Amazfit GTR for purely sporting use. Attention, not because it does not have the skills, but because it is a particularly elegant watch, more suitable for occasions other than physical activity. It is so beautiful that you will want to reserve it, and preserve it, for dinners, parties, during office activities.
In short, for those who want a companion only for fitness, we recommend that you combine them with an Amazfit Bip or a Mi Band 4, while Amazfit GTR is the smartwatch to use for special occasions.
It is also true, however, that especially the steel model we tested, perhaps with a strap other than the one supplied, could also lend itself to physical activity, being very robust and resistant.
Continuing with the other functions present in the menu, that relating to the weather, the control of music on the smartphone, the alarms, as well as the Notifications panel . Amazfit GTR allows you to read any notification arriving on your smartphone on your wrist, including WhatsApp messages, or coming from any messaging app installed on your smartphone.
There is no possibility for the user to reply, not even via emojis or quick replies. It is not possible to listen to voice notes, nor to see incoming photos, as well as any emojis present in the message are not displayed on the screen at the moment.
Those who want to have a wearable with greater possibilities of interaction with incoming notifications will necessarily have to turn their attention to Apple Watch or Android Wear wearables.
That said, the notifications arriving on Amazfit GTR arrive without any problem, are absolutely legible, and allow the user to view the message without any problem, thus being able to avoid taking the smartphone out of his pocket at each notification.
The large display helps you to immediately take note of the notification. It must be said that reaching the notification panel from the main menu is not particularly immediate. Thankfully, you can assign the Notifications function to pressing the lower side key.
This is a shortcut button, which will give you access to one of the various functions of the watch. We found the Notifications more useful, because with a simple press the tab will start where all the notifications arriving on smartphones are grouped, so as to have a hub on your wrist where you can view all incoming messages.
Technical features
We haven't forgotten to talk about the technical features, but the aesthetics of this watch fascinated us so much that it overshadowed the specifications. Yet even from this point of view the meat on the fire is really great. Let's start with the display, practically excellent, also in consideration of the price.
This is a 1.39 unit with 454 x 454 resolution . It reads well, even in direct sunlight, as long as it is set at maximum brightness, or with automatic brightness. The AMOLED screen has very deep blacks, and thanks to the size and resolution there are so many information that can be read on the screen.
Another important data is that relating to the certification, 5ATM . This means water resistance up to 50 meters. Even in this case, however, as anticipated for fitness, we would prefer to bring Mi Band 4 to the pool, than this GTR, which is instead suitable for occasions of another nature and genre.
As for the battery, all you have to do is take off your hat. The 410 mAh are sufficient for continuous use for 24 days. Not only on paper, the data is absolutely real. After 4 days of use, two of which with maximum brightness, three with automatic brightness, automatic heart rate calculation every 10 minutes, wrist lift to wake up the active display all day, the battery still marks 82%.
Really unbelievable. Moreover, these days of testing have been particularly demanding, because we have often interacted with the screen to browse the menus, or to read the notifications.
Of course, in the case of intense fitness use, the autonomy will be drastically lower.
What is missing
Given that our final judgment on Amazfit GTR will be absolutely positive, the watch to buy for those looking for refinement and elegance on the wrist, there is something missing in this smartwatch. First of all, the ability to make calls with the watch: you can hang up or mute the ringer, but there is no microphone and speaker to speak from your wrist.
There is no voice assistant (after all without a microphone it would have been impossible) that can send messages from the wrist or start other functions. There is no possibility to reply to messages even with emojis or predefined texts, although over time future upgrades may include this functionality.
Finding other defects of this smartwatch is really difficult, and even the shortcomings mentioned above can easily be justified in consideration of the price and the overall quality of the terminal. The only absence that makes us turn up our noses is that relating to the always-on display option. We look forward to seeing you in a first update. Hopefully.
Conclusions
Amazfit GTR is beautiful, beautiful and, thankfully, not impossible. Not impossible because it is already officially available in Italy, not impossible because it has an absolutely accessible and competitive price, not impossible because it has all the right cards for a winning hand.
The autonomy, above all, is to be applauded, as well as the design, among the most beautiful if you are looking for a smartwatch that comes close to a traditional watch. Too bad for the total impossibility of responding to notifications, who knows if a future update will allow at least to send emojis or predefined responses.
For the rest there is really not what to say: it is the definitive smartwatch for those who want to spend little and wear elegance and style.
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Retail price
On GearBest the version with Italian already on board costs about 135 euros. Click here to buy it.
If you want to know what, in our opinion, the 5 miles are Xiaomi, Amazfit and Mijia smartwatches, this is the article to read.
