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Verdict
The Amazfit GTR is a solid budget smartwatch with a long battery life. It’s a shame that its core notification tracking is so stripped down, and that its software feels choppy. But on the plus side, you’re getting a sharp screen and surprisingly accurate activity tracking, particularly for outdoor runs using GPS.
It looks the part, too, which is rarely the case in this price bracket. Whether you go for the sportier 42mm or the more classic 47mm style, you’ll be able to pair it with most outfits.
Unless you have a tiny wrist, we’d opt for the bigger version: the beefier battery makes a difference, and the strap’s silicone underside means you can still exercise with it.
Who's this for?
If you want to go as long as possible between charges, the Amazfit GTR won’t let you down, with better battery life than almost anything in this price range.
It’s also a good bet for anybody who wants an activity tracker on a tight budget, and doesn’t want to fork out for an extra heart rate monitor. We were impressed by how accurately it recorded our outdoor runs, and by the detailed insights it gave us into our daily activities, such as our step count.
Should you buy it?
If you want an affordable, one-stop smartwatch for your notifications and activity tracking, you won’t regret buying the Amazfit GTR. If you need something that runs smoothly and integrates with lots of apps on your phone, look elsewhere.
The competition
There are a number of alternatives to the Amazfit GTR, such as the following.
TicWatch E2
The TicWatch E2 is a great value smartwatch and it runs Wear OS, which means it will plug into your Android phone better than the GTR, with more comprehensive app integrations. It’s therefore a more versatile device, day to day. But it looks bland, and you’re only getting 2 days of battery life.
Read our full TicWatch E2 review
Fitbit Versa Lite
The Fitbit Versa Lite is cheap and cheerful. Like the Amazfit GTR it comes with limited notification features and a fairly robust set of activity tracking tech. The style is very different though: the Versa is brighter and bolder than the sleek GTR.
Read our full Fitbit Versa Lite review
First reviewed: December 2019
