Around the time I unboxed the T-Rex 2, I received a communication about this watch’s unique space odyssey. In a clever marketing ploy, Amazfit sent one of these watches on a space ride. According to Amazfit the smartwatch reached a peak altitude of about 113,000 feet (34.5km) and hit a top speed of over 288kmph during descent. The smartwatch also resisted freezing temperatures as cold as -64°C. During this trip, the Amazfit T-Rex 2’s dual-band positioning and support for five satellite systems were both enabled to track its journey. It’s clear that this watch is ready for one of Elon Musk’s space flights but how does it do back on earth?

Our favourite Amazfit wearable line

We’ll admit it, the T-Rex line is our favourite among a long list of wearables in the Amazfit portfolio. It’s been almost a year since we checked out the T Rex Pro, one of the most rugged watches from 2021 at a sub Rs 15,000 price point. The T-Rex 2 takes over the rugged responsibilities in 2022. This one sticks with the same design language we’ve come to expect from the T-Rex line; it’s just the kind of watch that G-Shock fans will dig. Amazfit has worked hard, some might say too hard, to convey the watch’s rough and tough appeal. Despite its chunky appearance, it doesn’t feel too heavy on your wrist with its 66.5g footprint (including the strap)

Bright display without the battery headaches

Amazfit has positioned the T-Rex 2 as the most affordable Military Certified Rugged Outdoor Smartwatch that has passed 15 military-grade standards (MIL-STD-810G). The watch can handle temperatures of -40 degrees all the way to 70 degree centigrade. No surprises here. It’s the 1.39-inch AMOLED screen (454×454 pixels) that is the wow element in this watch. I didn’t have any issues even under direct sunlight during my cycle ride. Battery life is subjective but based on our tests, we think most users should manage about 10 days with heavy usage. It all depends on whether you activate the always-on display and lean on GPS for your workouts. All we can say is that battery life is a key strength for this device vis-à-vis rivals like the Fitbit Versa 3 in the sub Rs 20,000 price band.

Packed with wellness features

Pairing is a breeze with the Zepp App. I paired this with an iPhone and it was hassle free. While the user interface has improved considerably, it’s still not as pretty as some of its rivals. The watch features heaps of wellness features and 150+ sports modes. I’m looking forward to trying out the golf swing mode, a cool add-on at this price. The watch tracks all the usual wellness metrics like sleep, blood oxygen and does a good job. You also get Amazfit’s PAI score that tracks your overall wellness.

Wrap up

The T-Rex 2 scores with its build, display and wide array of wellness features. It doesn’t measure up on smartwatch things though. You don’t get music storage or a wide selection of apps that you might find on similar priced rivals. But if that’s not a deal breaker for you, then the T-Rex 2 is worth checking out. This one’s for fitness first users who love to sport rugged watches .

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 comes in Astro Black & Gold, Wild Green and Amber Black and costs Rs 15,999/-