In 2024, the smartwatch market has continued its steady growth for the past ten years, to the point of approaching $50 billion in global revenue. In this world dominated by Apple, Garmin, and Samsung, Amazfit is trying to make its mark with a more accessible and resolutely outdoor-oriented approach. The T-Rex 3 embodies this ambition: an ultra-resistant watch, designed for adventurers and boasting battery life that its competitors can envy.
But how does this watch really compare to the industry leaders? At less than 300 euros, can it compete with models twice as expensive? We tested it in different conditions: running in the city, trail running sessions on muddy forest paths, and bike rides. Verdict.
A robust military design
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 clearly displays its ambitions: an adventurer's watch capable of facing the most extreme conditions. With its reinforced case, compliant with 15 military standards (MIL-STD-810G), it withstands temperatures ranging from -30 to +70°C and can withstand immersion up to 100 meters deep. Its massive design, reminiscent of the more imposing watches from the Fenix family at Garmin, commands respect, but its comfort remains appreciable thanks to a soft silicone strap. And this, despite a weight that approaches 70 g (68.3 g). Massive, but not uncomfortable in short.
A bright and readable AMOLED screen
One of the strong points of this T-Rex 3 is its 1.5-inch AMOLED screen (compared to 1.3 inches for the Garmin Fenix 8) offering a resolution of 480 x 480 pixels and a brightness of up to 2000 nits. This guarantees perfect readability, even in direct sunlight. The fluid and well-designed interface allows for intuitive navigation, and the Always-On Display mode ensures permanent access to essential information. But this option obviously has an impact on battery life.
Impressive battery life
This is one of the watch's main selling points: its battery life. With a 700 mAh battery, it promises up to 27 days of use in standard mode and around 10 days with intensive use (GPS always on, notifications, activity tracking). In real-life tests, it easily lasts two weeks with mixed use, which far surpasses most competing smartwatches. In short, you can leave the Always-On Display mode active!
Solid sports and outdoor performance
The T-Rex 3 is primarily intended for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers some 177 sports modes (it also recognizes no fewer than 25 strength training movements) and supports activities such as diving (certified up to 45 meters), trail running, mountain biking, and even climbing. Its dual GPS frequency ensures increased accuracy when tracking routes, and the watch integrates a BioTracker 4.0 sensor for measuring heart rate, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), and stress levels. It also captures body temperature.
An ecosystem with room for improvement
While the watch stands out for its robustness and battery life, its ecosystem has some shortcomings. The Zepp app, while comprehensive, isn't as intuitive as Garmin Connect or the Polar app. Additionally, compatibility with third-party apps remains limited, particularly for exporting data to Strava or Komoot. Finally, the app store remains very limited, which can frustrate even the most demanding users. And you'll quickly have to switch to paid options to take full advantage of the coaching advice. Fortunately, regular promotions allow you to try them out at a lower price.
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