The artists, who are all also athletes and/or outdoor enthusiasts in their own right, were asked to translate their outdoor experiences into creative works of art. In Amazfit’s words: “Titanium State of Mind explores mental resilience not as a theoretical concept, but as a lived reality shaped by extreme environments, creative interpretation, and real decision-making under pressure.” All in all, an inspiring look at what happens when the outdoor world and the art world collide and come together. 

Beyond titanium, elsewhere across the watch body you’ll find fibre-reinforced polymer and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens. The strap material is a tough yet stretchy silicone that, on test, is extremely easy to attach and detach from the watch body.

The 1.39-inch AMOLED screen is another standout design feature which functions very well. I haven’t found myself straining to read anything, even in direct sunlight. The touchscreen is also responsive, but not too responsive, and while the display is vibrant and clear, it’s also easy to adjust the brightness on the go to conserve battery life.

Fitness Tracking

The T-Rex Ultra 2 has a slightly overwhelming amount of fitness features, but for hiking in particular, it’s the heart rate, blood oxygen monitoring, and altitude monitoring that I tend to focus on. I’ve found that the heart rate sensor is pretty accurate even when you’re pushing yourself up steep inclines, and the watch keeps a real-time log of your heart rate zones to help you manage your effort. The altimeter works great for tracking elevation gain, and I like how it integrates with the GPS to show you your ascent and overall elevation profile.

The health tracking features are similarly impressive and include: stress and sleep tracking, HRV tracking, VO2 max and train load estimations and – most interestingly, in my opinion – a BioCharge rating. The latter is similar to Garmin’s ‘Body Battery’ feature and is essentially an energy monitoring feature. Using the accumulation of data that has been measured in the app, you’ll be given a BioCharge number that rates your body’s energy levels based on your daily workouts, sleep quality and stress etc.

Admittedly, I’m not a statistics obsessed hiker, but I think you’ll really appreciate all the features of the Zepp app if you like that kind of thing. There’s also a feature called ‘Zepp Coach’ which is an ai-powered assistant that will use your training data to produce a personalised training plan for you. Impressive stuff.

GPS Performance

On test, I found the GPS accuracy spot-on. It has dual-band GPS and six satellite systems, which – in real world testing conditions – means I didn’t lose track of my position, even when my phone couldn’t get a signal. I’ve mostly used the tracking for high mileage hiking and cycling days so far, and I’ve had no problems, though I’ll check back in once I’ve finished my next multi-day trip. 

It uses full-colour global maps that you can download and store directly on the watch for offline use. The interface shows your route overlaid on the map with info like elevation profiles and checkpoints, and it supports automatic rerouting if you go off course. I’ve found this very useful for cycling in particular as it’s very easy to quickly take a wrong turn.

The watch also records all of this detailed route data – elevation, pace, and distance – so that you can analyse later, which is useful for both planning future hikes and assessing how you did. 

While the maps aren’t as ultra-detailed as the likes of the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, I’ve found that there’s more than enough information for most outdoor scenarios you’ll find yourself in here in the UK. And considering Amazfit have only been about since 2015, I’d say they’re well on track to become one of Garmin’s biggest competitors at this rate.

Other Features I Liked

Fitness tracking and GPS performance aside, here are the other key features that have stood out to me so far:

Battery Life – I’ve gotten 10+ days of battery life with low GPS use so far. If I’m going all-out with continuous GPS tracking, I can get around 30-35 hours, though it really depends on how much I’m faffing around with other features. Amazfit’s official rating is up to 30 days of battery life in a low usage mode. On test, I’ve found that it doesn’t beat the likes of the Suunto Vertical 2 for battery life with continuous GPS tracking, but it’s still very impressive in my book.

Flashlight – I’m always a fan of an integrated flashlight on watches. With the T-Rex, the light is activated by holding the top left button and features two LED flashlights – white and green. The white light offers adjustable brightness, while the green light is primarily for night vision.  

Voice Notes – This is a handy little feature – also featured on the Coros Apex 4 – that I think writers and artists will love. 

Points of Interest – I’m yet to try this feature in a properly rural/remote area but so far, I’ve found it useful for less remote hiking here in the UK when you want to find a nearby spot, but don’t want to look at your phone.

Automatic Rerouting – Ideal for people who often take the wrong turn (I do this a lot when I’m cycling so find this really useful.)

180 Sport Modes – That’s an impressive number of modes, though I imagine most people will only use two or three. Along with all your more common sports such as running, hiking and cycling, there’s also modes for more niche endeavours such as spear fishing, parkour, snorkelling, bungee jumping and skydiving. 

Weather Alerts – Always a useful feature to have on multi-day adventures here in the UK when the weather can turn at any time. 

First Impressions – Overall Verdict

Where To Buy

Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2

Our tester’s verdict: “All in all, if you’re looking for a smartwatch that provides reliable fitness tracking and is purpose-built for the outdoors – but doesn’t have a £1000+ price tag – I think this is a very good option to consider.”

★★★★

Check price at Amazfit
Check price at Amazon

All in all – and taking into account its price point compared to rivals – I would happily recommend the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 to other hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. During my tests so far, I’ve found it to be tough, reliable, and genuinely useful if you’re the kind of person that likes to track your performance.

The chunky size will definitely be a downside for people with smaller wrists, and as such, it’s not something I find myself wanting to wear everyday. However, for dedicated big hiking days and multi-day adventures, I think it’s a great companion on the trail. 

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that provides reliable fitness tracking and is purpose-built for the outdoors – but doesn’t have a £1000+ price tag – I think this is a good option to consider. To be honest, I think I’ve barely scratched the surface of all of the things this watch can do so stay tuned for further updates as I continue my tests.