Amazfit T-Rex 3 Multi-Sport Smart Watch Review – A great alternative vs Garmin Fenix 8 / Epix 2

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 launched back in September and is advertised as a ready-for-anything adventure watch. I have previously reviewed the Amazfit GTS 2 back in 2020 and was very impressed with it. It represented better value for money than the Zepp E Square and was a good alternative to options from Huawei and Xiaomi that competed at a similar price point.

I have generally liked most of the smartwatches I have tried from Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, and Amazfit in the past. They have always provided good value for money and excellent battery life in comparison to fully fledged WearOS smartwatches.

However, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 feels very different. As a fitness enthusiast, I find it to be the best non-Garmin watch I have used in years. While it may not be as good as the Fenix 8 or the older Epix Gen 2, it is significantly better value for money and has all the features most people would want from a multi-sport watch.

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	AMAZFIT T-Rex 3 Outdoor Smartwatch 48mm AMOLED Display,...	No ratings yet	£279.00	Buy on Amazon

Related Reviews

• Garmin Fenix 8 Review
• Garmin Epix 2 Review
• Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Review
• Amazfit GTS 2 Review
• Zepp Z vs Amazfit GTR 2 Compared
• Zepp E Square Watch Review
• Xiaomi Watch S3 Smartwatch Review
• Xiaomi Watch S1 Active Review

Specification

Amazfit T-Rex 3 Features

Display and Visibility

AMOLED Display

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 features a large AMOLED display designed to deliver exceptional visibility, even under direct sunlight. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the display ensures clarity for maps, workout data, and notifications at a glance.

Night Display Mode

For low-light environments, the night display mode provides illumination in red, green, or orange, reducing eye strain and improving readability.

Glove Mode

The Glove Mode allows seamless touchscreen operation while wearing gloves up to 2mm thick, making it suitable for cold-weather conditions and outdoor adventures.

Battery Life and Performance

Extended Battery Life

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 offers impressive battery performance, providing up to:

• 27 days under typical usage.
• 13 days under heavy usage.
• 42 hours in GPS Accurate Mode.
• 114 hours in GPS Long Battery Life Mode.
• 180 hours in GPS Max Battery Life Mode.

This extended battery life supports extended outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and multi-day treks without frequent recharging.

Navigation and Mapping

Advanced Mapping and GPS

The T-Rex 3 supports dual-band GPS for fast and precise location tracking. It integrates with six satellite systems for reliable performance in challenging environments.

Offline Maps

Users can download free offline maps and routes, enabling navigation without internet connectivity. Turn-by-turn directions are available on the display or through Bluetooth-connected headphones.

Topographical Maps

Topographical contour maps help users understand terrain variations. Maps compatible with global ski resorts provide detailed ski slope information, including cable car routes and slope colour codes.

Workout and Sports Features

AI-Powered Coaching

The Zepp Coach™ provides AI-generated training plans tailored to various goals, including 3km, 5km, 10km, half-marathon, and full-marathon distances.

Workout Modes

With over 170 workout modes, users can select from a wide range of activities, such as triathlons, ultramarathons, hunting, and fishing. Real-time performance tracking and post-workout summaries, including VO₂ Max, recovery time, and training effect, provide actionable insights.

Strength Training Mode

Strength training features automatic detection of 25 exercise types, counting reps, sets, and rest periods. Customisable workout templates can be created in the Zepp App and synced to the watch.

Freediving Certification

The T-Rex 3 is certified for freediving up to 45 metres, and its bright AMOLED display ensures underwater visibility of essential data.

Smart Features and AI Integration

Voice Control with Zepp Flow

Powered by GPT-4o, Zepp Flow™ enables hands-free control of the watch. Users can adjust settings, check training progress, and respond to messages through speech-to-text functionality.

Health Monitoring

The smartwatch continuously monitors heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress, and sleep quality. It also provides alerts for abnormal readings and summarises daily recovery scores to guide activity levels.

Smart Notifications

Users can receive notifications for messages, view images, and reply via speech-to-text.

Environmental Adaptability

Built for Extreme Conditions

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is designed to withstand harsh environments, including:

• Temperatures ranging from -30°C to 70°C.
• Water resistance up to 100 metres.
• Resistance to humidity, shock, and other environmental stresses.

Connectivity and Compatibility

Bluetooth Peripherals

The watch is compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices such as:

• Heart rate monitors.
• Cycling cadence and speed sensors.
• Power meters.

Zepp Pay

With NFC technology, the T-Rex 3 supports Zepp Pay for contactless payments using up to eight bank cards. Availability depends on supported banks and regions.

Additional Features

Environmental Insights

The watch provides:

• Compass and altitude data.
• Storm alerts and tide information.
• Sun and moon phases.

Mini Apps

Customise the watch with mini apps for fitness, outdoor activities, and daily living. Apps are downloadable through the Zepp App.

Strap Customisation

The T-Rex 3 includes a strap-changing kit for easy customisation. Upcycled silicone strap options and additional accessories are available.

Unboxing / Design

The T-Rex 3 makes a strong impression with its rugged yet functional design. The watch features a stainless steel bezel protecting a Gorilla Glass display, while the rest of the case uses durable polymer materials. At 48.5 x 48.5 x 13.75mm, it’s decidedly on the larger side of sports watches, though its relatively light 68.3g weight helps maintain comfort during extended wear.

The octagonal shape sets it apart from typical round or square smartwatches, though some may find the aggressive styling a bit overdone compared to more refined outdoor watches. The included silicone strap uses a proprietary design for better wrist conformity, but Amazfit thoughtfully includes adapters for standard 22mm bands.

The watch supports wrist sizes from 145mm to 210mm, making it suitable for most users. However, its substantial size might overwhelm smaller wrists, particularly during sleep tracking. The classic pin buckle closure provides secure attachment without unnecessary complexity.

Set Up

Setting up the T-Rex 3 is straightforward. After downloading the Zepp App (compatible with Android 7.0+ and iOS 14.0+), the watch pairs quickly via Bluetooth 5.2. The initial setup walks users through basic customisation options and connecting to WiFi for map downloads and updates.

The watch receives over-the-air updates regularly, showing Amazfit’s commitment to improving functionality. During testing, several updates brought refinements to tracking accuracy and user interface elements.

Zepp App UI

The Zepp App serves as the control centre for the T-Rex 3, handling everything from workout analysis to watch face customisation. The interface is clean and logical, though it can’t quite match the polish of Garmin Connect or Apple’s Fitness app.

Data syncing works reliably, with activities appearing promptly after completion. The app provides detailed analytics for workouts, sleep, and health metrics, presented through clear graphs and summaries.

One notable feature is the AI-powered Zepp Coach, which generates personalised training plans for various running distances. While helpful, these plans lack the sophistication found in premium coaching platforms.

Strava Support and Data Export

For me, as well as many fitness enthusiasts, it is essential for a smartwatch to integrate with third-party platforms like Strava. Thankfully, this has good support including:

• Strava
• Google Fit
• Health Connect
• Relive
• Training Peaks
• Addidas Running
• Komoot

And if those don’t fit your needs, users can export their data in common formats like GPX, TCX and Fit, allowing you to export your data to the platform of your choice.

Watch UI

The T-Rex 3’s interface strikes an excellent balance between touchscreen convenience and physical control reliability. Four buttons provide tactile navigation, particularly valuable during workouts or when wearing gloves. The touchscreen responds well, though it occasionally lags when manipulating maps.

The 1.5-inch AMOLED display impresses with its 480×480 resolution and 2,000-nit peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The screen’s 322 PPI density delivers crisp text and clear graphics. A night mode option with red, green, or orange themes helps preserve night vision.

Navigation feels intuitive, with quick access to essential functions through button shortcuts or swipe gestures. The interface occasionally stutters when switching between complex features, but general responsiveness remains good.

Performance

Health Monitoring

The T-Rex 3 offers comprehensive health tracking, including continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen measurement, stress tracking, and sleep analysis. The BioTracker PPG sensor handles these measurements, though results vary in reliability.

Sleep tracking accurately detects basic metrics like bedtime and wake times, but sleep stage classification shows less precision when compared to dedicated sleep trackers. The watch generates sleep scores and readiness metrics, though these sometimes seem overly optimistic, given the underlying data.

Additional health features include:

• Stress monitoring based on heart rate variability
• Skin temperature tracking
• Breathing exercises
• PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) score

The level of data you get is impressive. I wouldn’t say it is better than Garmin, but it offers a similar level of data including things like HRV.

Bluetooth Accessories

Along with Strava support, the biggest requirement I have from a multisport watch is the support for things like heart rate monitors. I don’t think any smartwatch I have reviewed other than Garmin watches and the Suunto 5 have supported any Bluetooth or ANT peripherals.

I was, therefore, surprised to find that the T-Rex 3 not only supports Bluetooth heart rate monitors but also:

• Cycling speed and cadence sensors
• Cycling Power meters from major manufacturers
• Running power meters like STRYD

This broad compatibility helps overcome any limitations in the built-in sensors and adds value for serious athletes who rely on specific training tools.

In my opinion, the combination of Strava and sensor support makes this one of the best alternatives to Garmin.

Fitness Tracking

With over 170 workout modes, the T-Rex 3 covers virtually every activity imaginable. Beyond basic tracking, it offers advanced features like:

• Running power measurement
• Training load monitoring
• Recovery time recommendations
• VO2 max estimation (though accuracy varies)
• Automatic rep counting for strength training
• Multi-sport modes for triathlons

The watch includes structured workout support and can follow training plans created in the Zepp App. While these features work well, the underlying training analysis lacks the depth found in dedicated sports watches.

Running

Cycling

Heart Rate Monitoring

Heart rate tracking shows mixed results depending on activity type. During steady-state cardio, like indoor cycling, the optical sensor performs well, showing a strong correlation with chest strap measurements. Running accuracy also impresses, often matching reference devices within a few beats per minute.

However, high-intensity intervals and outdoor cycling present more challenges, with occasional delays in detecting rapid heart rate changes. Weight training proves particularly problematic, with significant accuracy drops during grip-intensive exercises.

This is a common issue with wrist-based optical heart rate sensors, and it is the reason why I think external heart rate monitor support is so important.

GPS Accuracy

The T-Rex 3 employs dual-band GPS with support for six satellite systems, delivering generally reliable tracking. During my testing, I used it in conjunction with my Garmin Epix Gen 2 (non-Pro), and it showed accurate distance measurements and consistent route recording.

In challenging environments like dense urban areas or heavy tree cover, the watch maintained acceptable accuracy. While not quite matching the precision of premium Garmin models, the GPS performance proves more than adequate for most users’ needs.

Mapping

The mapping capabilities punch well above the watch’s price point. Users can download free offline maps with street and trail labels, a feature some premium competitors still lack. The maps include topographical data and even ski resort information with colour-coded slopes.

Navigation features include:

• Route importing from third-party platforms
• Turn-by-turn directions
• Breadcrumb trails
• Back-to-start guidance
• Route deviation alerts

While the maps aren’t fully routable like Garmin’s offerings, they provide excellent reference during activities. The interface occasionally struggles when panning and zooming, particularly in track-up mode.

Smart Watch Features

Despite its focus on sports, the T-Rex 3 offers decent smartwatch functionality. Users receive notifications for calls, messages, and apps, with the ability to send quick replies on Android devices. The built-in microphone enables voice commands through Zepp Flow, though the lack of a speaker means no voice calls.

Additional smart features include:

• Weather updates with storm alerts
• Calendar notifications
• Music controls
• Camera shutter control
• Find my phone function
• Contactless payments via Zepp Pay (region dependent)

Battery Life

Battery performance stands out as a major strength. Under typical use with all-day heart rate monitoring and regular GPS activities, the watch consistently achieves 7-10 days between charges. This falls short of the advertised 13-27 days but remains impressive compared to most smartwatches. That being said, it outperforms my Garmin comfortably.

GPS runtime varies by mode:

• 30-35 hours in high-accuracy mode
• Up to 72 hours in power-saving mode
• Maximum of 180 hours in ultra-endurance mode

The magnetic charging puck connects securely and reaches full charge in approximately 3 hours.

Price and Alternative Options

Preview	Product	Rating	Price
	AMAZFIT T-Rex 3 Outdoor Smartwatch 48mm AMOLED Display,...	No ratings yet	£279.00	Buy on Amazon

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 has an RRP of £279 and is regularly available from Amazon for around £237. At the time of writing, the Lava Red model was just £214.

The previous generation Amazfit T-Rex 2 still commands £211.

In comparison, at the time of writing (24/12/2024) Amazon has various Garmin options including:

• Garmin Forerunner 255: £229
• Garmin Venu 3/3S: £365
• Garmin Epix Gen 2: £379
• Garmin Epix PRO Gen 2: £499
• Garmin Fēnix 8: £927

Xiaomi has:

• Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (WearOS): £160
• Xiaomi Watch S3: £110

Overall

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is quite remarkable. If you are a fitness enthusiast, I’d say this is probably the best alternative to Garmin. In particular, it is a viable alternative to the premium Garmin models, including the new £900+ Fenix 8. It even looks appealing against the Garmin Epix Gen 2, which has had massive discounts in the past few months.

Of course, I will not say this is better than those Garmin models. Garmin is still the best for fitness, but if you can’t justify its premium markup, then the Amazfit T-Rex 3 is an incredibly affordable alternative.

If I hadn’t bought my Garmin Epix Gen 2 a few months ago, I would have gladly swapped my old Fenix 6 Pro for this. It has all the features I need and is incredible value for money.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.

Last update on 2025-01-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API