Amazfit GTR 2: test, data protection, functions

Operation of the Amazfit GTR 2

Two buttons complete the touchscreen. The upper button leads to the menu and back to the dial, the lower one opens the training menu. If you don’t like that, you can change the assignment of the lower button via the setting on the clock (User settings, press button below). There is no button that takes you one step back in the menu, instead swipe from left to right. The touchscreen reacts smoothly to inputs. From the start screen you open a quick menu by swiping from top to bottom, from left to right there is a kind of app widget overview as usual on smartphones. Notifications open from bottom to top. The GTR 2 permanently shows the time when you activate the always-on display, the selection of dials is abundant. The display can be activated by pressing a button or – somewhat sluggishly – by lifting the arm.

• Display: 35.3 millimeters (1.39 inches)
• Resolution: 454×454 pixels
• Case diameter: 46 millimeters

Good basic functions for athletes

The Amazfit GTR 2 has a number of sporty functions on board:

• Heart rate measurement: The GTR 2 measures the heart rate using an optical heart sensor. In the test, she did this well during training even when her arms were in motion. This is also due to the good fit of the watch: Despite the large case (46 millimeters), it can be firmly buckled, with a weight of 47 grams it remains light and does not slip. If you want to measure your heart rate in everyday life, you have to activate it via the app (Profile, My Devices, GTR 2, Detection Frequency). If desired, the watch will issue a warning if the heart rate exceeds a definable threshold.
• Sleep analysis: Worn at night, the Amazfit GTR 2 determines how long and how sound the sleep was. In the test, she was right and scored with interesting details such as a comparison with other people and a score that classifies the sleep quality. A few settings are required so that the display does not disturb the rest of the night: It is best to activate a schedule for the always-on display and the wrist-raise function (in the app under Profile, My Devices, Amazfit GTR 2, Clock Settings, Display and Brightness).

• Training recording: The GTR 2 records various types of training. When running or cycling, she uses her GPS module and a barometric altitude sensor to determine the distance covered and the altitude difference. The recording of the training can be found in the app – albeit a little hidden (under the menu item Training record in the Home tab, either as a widget at the bottom or under the menu item at the top right). According to the manufacturer, the watch is able to recognize workouts automatically, without you having to start the recording manually. The settings can be made on the watch itself (under Settings, user settings, training detection). However, in the test, despite the highest sensitivity setting, the watch failed to notice a long walk. When swimming, the watch recognized the swimming style, counted strokes and calculated the SWOLF performance value. There are no special features in fitness training: the watch does not count the exercise repetitions. The manufacturer calculates the value developed by Xiaomi for the “Personal Activity Intelligence” (PAI). It is a measure of fitness, similar to fitness age and VO₂max. The watch only calculates the PAI when jogging briskly with an increased heart rate (19 minutes, at least 158 ​​heartbeats per minute).
• Health functions: The GTR 2 shows some health statistics, the informative value of which is limited. So there is a display for the blood pressure. However, the watch only outputs a single value without naming a unit, although medical blood pressure is known to be indicated by two measured values ​​(systole and diastole). The watch also calculates the oxygen saturation in the blood – but like other smartwatches, it is not medically accurate. Therefore, these functions are likely to cause confusion.

Training plans cannot be created on the watch or in the associated Zepp app. There is also no coaching function. However, if you wish, the watch will give you an indication when you are running after a set distance (around 1 km) or at a certain pace or heart rate.

A pinch of smartwatch functions

Price and availability

The Amazfit GTR 2 has been available in Germany since November 2020. It comes in the variants Sport (with black case) and Classic (with silver case) and costs from 155 euros (as of March 10, 2021).