Within the panorama of smartwatches designed for the Android world, it could be said that there are two groups. On the one hand, that of established brands, such as Samsung, Huawei or those exclusively for the sports field, such as Garmin, which launch smartwatches with very good features, both in the quality of their materials and in functionality; and a second group designed for all those who do not want to spend more than 300 euros on a watch but who do not want to give up an acceptable experience.
Within this second category, one of the main candidates (with permission from realme and Xiaomi) is Huami, now under the name Zepp Health , with its Amazfit watch brand. Dedicating ourselves exclusively to developing a product means that we have all kinds of models, from the most basic ones like the Amazfit Bip, which we can find for around 30 euros, to other more advanced ones like the GTR or GTS family and going through those designed for sports. more extreme, like the Amazfit T-Rex.
Today Zepp Health has released two new GTR 3 and GTS 3 models and a PRO variant , compatible with Alexa and with prices starting at 149 euros, they are called to keep an interesting quota market. In Hypertextual we have tested the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro for several days, and we will tell you what we think.
Experience with the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro: good but with some another important drawback
The first feeling when we put the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro on our wrist is that it is not a “low cost” smartwatch. In fact, it is built in an aluminum alloy that gives it a sturdy feel but with a fairly light weight, of only 40 grams (including the strap). On the right side, a physical button protrudes at the bottom and a navigation crown at the top. Both buttons can be customized with shortcuts.
As for the screen, we are facing a 1.45-inch AMOLED UltraHD and a resolution of 480 x 480 px , with a screen-to-body ratio that exceeds 70%. Although it is of decent quality, sometimes is inaccurate when using the touch function , for example to enter a numeric unlock code.
Battery and autonomy: acceptable even with extensive use From the brand, they indicate that its 450mAh battery is capable of offering up to 30 days in ultra-saving mode, 12 if we make normal use and six with exhaustive use . In my case, I have used it 24 hours, even to sleep and to monitor the sport about three, four times a week. Also to receive calls and notifications so the use has been continuous and the battery reached six days. Compared to the smartwatch that I had been using (a Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro) that offered a maximum of four days of battery life, the GTR 3 Pro is a step above, although of course, in general it is a lower category watch.
Regarding navigation, we find a menu in the form of a list, through which we can only move from top to bottom. This is something that directly collides with other options on the market where we have a menu in the form of a mesh and it is easier to move through the different options.
Regarding connectivity, it connects with the phone via Bluetooth (although it also has WiFi), it allows answering calls, but not making them, and it receives notifications, although it does not allow answering them either .
Monitoring and sport: more than 150 modes but an automatic detection in the absence of polishing As for the measurement of sleep, although it does not have an exact reliability, it is quite close to reality. It measures both the light and deep sleep phases and the REM phase, as well as the heart rate during the night.
When it comes to measuring sport, there are two important factors. The first is that it includes a wide variety of physical activities, more than 150 so that everyone can accurately record their physical activity. The negative aspect is the automatic detection of exercise : when visiting the application, we see that part of a motorcycle journey has been counted as bicycle exercise, so at the end of the week or month , the global exercise calculation is not correct.
Amazfit GTR 3 and GT3 for 149 euros: good access to a smart watch
Amazfit still has some smartwatches for sale for prices around 40 euros, such as the Bip, and which has been the gateway to a large number of people to the world of smart watches. For all of them, the logical evolutionary step continues to be a much more complete smartwatch that has a price that does not shoot excessively.
Specifically, these new Amazfit devices are aimed at this audience. The new Amazfit GTS 3 and GTR 3 lower the price of the Pro model by 50 euros, although it is not free and penalizes in the loss of functions ..
Regarding differences between the two models, the GTS 3 has a square screen instead of a round one , and the GTR has a longer autonomy, 21 days with normal use.
Regarding the shortcomings, compared to the GTR 3 Pro model, neither the GTR 3 nor the GTS have Bluetooth or WiFi, speaker or internal music storage.
In short, Amazfit moves comfortably in the mid-range segment of smart watches . He puts all his experience in the development of these devices on the table, giving and taking what is necessary to result in a family of smartwatches with a very good value for money. In fact, this is the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro so, if it manages to prevail over other brands, which already have the marketing battle won, it can lead sales in this product category without any problem.
