Is the new Amazfit T-Rex 2 a cheap Garmin killer?

T-Rex Pro gets an upgrade

Amazfit T-Rex 2 has already been officially presented; durable, rugged GPS adventure watch with navigation tools and "ultra long battery life".

The watch is said to be ideal for "hikers, climbers, runners and adventurers, exploring uncharted terrain thanks to real-time navigation, route tracking and trip tracking features". It is obviously extremely durable, having been tested in temperatures from -30°C to +70°C.

The Amazfit T-Rex Pro , the previous model in the range, lacked these navigation tools, one of the factors that ultimately proved disadvantageous compared to competing Garmin models. It features a barometric altimeter, compass and supports dual-band positioning and five satellite networks.

With a water resistance of 10 atmospheres – up to 100 meters – and a focus on its durability and super long battery life, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is positioned as a direct rival to some of Garmin's more expensive watches, such as the Garmin Instinct 2 and Garmin Enduro.

The T-Rex 2 also packs all the usual features we've come to expect, 24-hour health monitoring, heart rate, sleep tracking, blood oxygen saturation and stress tracking.

There is currently no information on pricing in the US, UK and Australia, but its European price is €229.99 and it will be released in "other countries" in June. That's less than half the price of the Garmin Enduro and over €100 cheaper than the non-solar powered Garmin Instinct 2, which looks set to be the T-Rex 2's main competition.

Analysis: Can the T-Rex 2 take a bite out of Garmin?

T-Rex 2 may be named after the king of the dinosaurs, but here it positions itself as an underdog, more like a velociraptor than a tyrannosaurus. Amazfit and its parent company Zepp may be the second largest wearable device manufacturer in the world, but the T-Rex 2, like its predecessors, is fighting an uphill battle against the better-known and trusted Garmin.

However, Garmin isn't cheap, and since Amazfit manufactures its components in-house and can cut some features that are unlikely to be used by anyone but the most serious of athletes, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 is able to offer its services at a much more competitive price than its competitors.

The T-Rex is slowly making a name for itself as a budget smartwatch that will withstand anything the casual adventure fan can throw at it. It's likely that the most avid athletes will still opt for Garmin's superior models, but for everyone else looking for a solid smartwatch, Garmins are often too expensive and feature too many.

With this level of durability and navigation features at a reasonable price, the T-Rex 2 can be an affordable second option, especially in times when people are looking for their favorite technology for less.