So, you’re in the market for a feature-packed smartwatch that won’t break the bank, and the Amazfit GTR series has caught your eye. The original Amazfit GTR set a high bar, offering impressive battery life and a stunning design at an accessible price. But then came its successor, the Amazfit GTR 2, promising even more. If you’re trying to decide between these two popular models, you’ve come to the right place. This comparison will walk you through exactly what changed and, more importantly, whether those changes are worth the upgrade for you.
Navigating the Amazfit GTR 2 vs Amazfit GTR – Key Differences – WatchRanker can feel a bit overwhelming with all the spec sheets. Is the newer model a complete overhaul or just a minor refresh? We will look beyond the numbers and focus on the real-world implications of the upgrades. From the microphone and speaker that finally let you take calls on your wrist to a significantly more refined operating system, the GTR 2 aimed to address some of the key limitations of its predecessor. Let’s break down where the GTR 2 truly shines and where the original GTR might still be a perfect fit for your needs.
Amazfit GTR 2 vs Amazfit GTR – Key Differences – WatchRanker
At its core, the comparison between these two watches is a story of evolution. Amazfit listened to user feedback and focused the GTR 2’s improvements on three key areas: smart features, health tracking, and overall user experience. While they share a similar DNA and classic watch aesthetic, the GTR 2 feels like a more mature and capable device right out of the box. The most immediate difference you’ll notice is the addition of a microphone and speaker, fundamentally changing how you interact with notifications and your phone.
Beyond that, the GTR 2 introduced a more powerful bio-tracking sensor, onboard music storage, and a sleeker software interface. The original GTR, while still a very competent device, operates more as a superb fitness tracker with a beautiful always-on display. It excels at its core tasks—logging workouts and telling the time—with legendary battery life. The GTR 2, however, pushes further into the territory of a true smartwatch without completely sacrificing that long battery life Amazfit is known for.
Stepping Up the Smart Features
This is arguably the most significant category of improvement. The original Amazfit GTR was a silent partner; it would vibrate and show you notifications, but you couldn’t interact with them beyond a simple dismissal. The Amazfit GTR 2 changes the game entirely.
With its built-in microphone and speaker, you can now accept or reject phone calls directly from your wrist. This is incredibly convenient when your phone is buried in a bag or you’re in the middle of a workout. Furthermore, the GTR 2 features Amazon’s Alexa built-in, allowing you to set reminders, check the weather, or control your smart home devices using just your voice. The original GTR lacks both a speaker and a microphone, so these core smart features are completely absent.
Another major addition is offline music storage. The GTR 2 allows you to store around 300-400 songs directly on the watch. You can then pair your Bluetooth headphones and listen to your music without needing to carry your phone on a run. The original GTR can only control the music playing on your phone; it has no internal storage for music.
Health and Wellness Tracking Evolved
Both watches are equipped to track your heart rate, sleep, and a vast array of sports modes. However, the GTR 2 uses a newer generation BioTracker 2 PPG sensor, which is more accurate and enables a few additional health monitoring features.
The most notable new feature is blood-oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring. This allows you to take on-demand spot checks of your blood oxygen levels, a metric that has become increasingly popular for overall wellness awareness. The original GTR does not have this capability. Additionally, the GTR 2 introduced a more advanced sleep tracking algorithm that provides a better breakdown of your sleep stages and offers a Sleep Score to help you understand your sleep quality at a glance.
While the original GTR’s tracking is perfectly solid for daily activity and workouts, the GTR 2 provides a more comprehensive and data-rich picture of your overall health.
Design and Display Refinements
At first glance, the two watches look very similar, both featuring a classic circular watch case. But look closer, and you’ll see the GTR 2 has a more polished and streamlined design. The bezel is thinner, allowing for a slightly more screen real estate within a similar-sized case. The finish is often described as more premium, with smoother lines and a less utilitarian feel.
The displays themselves are both bright and sharp AMOLED panels, but the GTR 2’s screen is protected by a 3D glass that curves at the edges, blending seamlessly into the case. This not only looks more high-end but also makes swiping gestures feel smoother. The original GTR has a flat glass surface. Both have excellent always-on display options, but the GTR 2’s refined case and curved glass give it a distinct visual edge.
Battery Life: The Classic Trade-Off
Here is where the original Amazfit GTR still holds a commanding lead. With its more basic feature set and efficient processor, it can achieve up to 24 days of typical use, and an incredible 74 days in a more basic watch mode. This is battery life that few other smartwatches on the market can even come close to matching.
The Amazfit GTR 2, with its brighter display, always-listening microphone for Alexa, and more powerful sensor, naturally consumes more power. Its typical battery life is still very respectable at around 14 days with standard use, and it can stretch to 38 days in a battery saver mode. If your top priority is going weeks and weeks without even thinking about a charger, the original GTR is the undisputed champion.
Which One is the Right Choice for You?
Making the final choice between the Amazfit GTR and the GTR 2 ultimately comes down to what you value most in a wearable.
You should lean towards the original Amazfit GTR if your priorities are: maximum battery life, core activity and sleep tracking, and receiving (but not interacting with) notifications. It remains a fantastic value and a reliable companion for those who want a beautiful watch that handles the basics exceptionally well.
The Amazfit GTR 2 is the clear winner if you desire: the ability to take calls from your wrist, offline music playback, voice assistant support, and more advanced health metrics like SpO2 monitoring. It represents a major step up in smart functionality and feels like a more complete and modern smartwatch experience.
In summary, the Amazfit GTR 2 built upon the solid foundation of the GTR by adding the smart features users were asking for, alongside meaningful upgrades in health tracking and design. While the original GTR is a battery-life powerhouse, the GTR 2 offers a more balanced and feature-rich package that justifies its position as a worthy successor for most users.