A few days ago, we posted about Amazfit’s updated Amazfit GTR 2 which currently sits as their flagship fitness and health-focused smartwatch. This is honestly one of the best fitness smartwatches out there, but not everyone wants a watch with a circle face. Some prefer a more modern rectangular face similar to the Apple Watch which is why Amazfit also has the Amazfit GTS 2, which in all but the shape is pretty much the same exact watch as the Amazfit GTR 2. There are some minor differences which we’ll get to down below.
DESIGN
Upon first glance, it’s hard to spot the differences between the Amazfit GTS 2 and it’s predecessor, the Amazfit GTS. They both feature a rectangular body and one-button interface. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see that the body is just a tiny bit smaller than the original one. The right side of the body also flares up a little along the side of the button that makes it harder to accidentally press it. The body is still made of aluminum.
The back of the watch is now glossy instead of matte and you’ll notice that there are more sensors back there now along with a different charging layout. That means you can not use the old Amazfit GTS charger with the new watch. Another difference is the inclusion of a mic and speaker.
The glass display is also much improved and incorporates diamond-like carbon (oDLC) coating that provides a more scratch-resistant screen.
On a whole, the Amazfit GTS 2 does look very much like an Apple Watch if you take a quick glance at it. That’s not entirely a bad thing seeing as it does look pretty good and so does this.
FEATURES
Those familiar with Amazfit will find the Amazfit GTS 2 is not that much different on the surface. The user interface is basically the same as all the latest Amazfit watches. There isn’t too much to say here other than that it’s fairly easy to use and you can customize what shows up when you swipe, so you can hide those apps you don’t use and prioritize the ones you do.
What makes the Amazfit GTS 2 different from previous generations is the inclusion of some new and improved sensors. There’s the new BioTracker 2, which is the second generation PPG bio-tracking optical sensor that can perform 24-hour heart rate monitoring. This includes your resting heart rate, heart rate zones, and abnormal heart rate warnings. The BioTracker 2 also supports OxygenBeats, which measures blood-oxygen saturation levels (SpO2).
The Amazfit GTS 2 also supports sleep quality monitoring so you can monitor your sleep and understand your sleep patterns. What’s new here is the introduction of REM sleep stages monitoring as well as monitoring for naps you might take in the middle of the day.
The PAI Health Assessment System is present here which has only shown up recently on newer devices such as the Zepp E and Amazfit Band 5. This is the Personal Activity Intelligence which just tries to simplify all the data collected into a single easy to understand score. This feature covers any form of exercise at any time.
Speaking of which, there are 12 built-in sports modes that can be tracked including running, walking, swimming, cycling, and more. The data it tracks is quite extensive so you’ll know every little detail about your workout.
Aside from the health and fitness-related features, the Amazfit GTS 2 also acts like a smartwatch. You get features like alarm, schedules, weather, and being able to control your music through your watch. You can even store music on your watch and pair Bluetooth headphones to it to listen without needing your phone. What’s really new is the built-in microphone and speaker which lets you take phone calls.
Not only that, but there’s also voice controls now as well as Alexa. Alexa isn’t quite working at the time of this review but will be available soon via OTA update.
One thing to note about the Amazfit GTS 2. The battery does not last quite as long as on the Amazfit GTR 2, and that’s probably due to its slightly smaller size. The Amazfit GTS 2 lasts for about 7-days per charge where as the GTR 2 is around 14-days.
ZEPP APP
A crucial part of the Amazfit experience is the new Zepp app which has evolved into something much better than it was previously. There’s tons of metrics and data it now shows and much of it can be synced with other accounts like Google Fit.
The ZEPP app is also where you will go to customize your watch settings, install new watch faces, and sync all your data. Pretty standard stuff, but it is much improved from previous versions of the app.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Amazfit has really stepped up their game with the Amazfit GTS 2. Not only does this have more features than previous models, but the build quality too is way up there as well. This easily matches up with the Zepp E in terms of quality and appeal, but at a much lower price point. If you’re in the market for a primarily health and fitness-focused smartwatch, you can’t go wrong with the Amazfit GTS 2. The combination of features, style, and build quality along with price make the Amazfit GTS 2 one of the top choices out there for health-minded folks.
