Amazfit T-Rex vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: Which should you buy?

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

There are many reasons to choose the Galaxy Watch Active 2; you get built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, automatic exercise recognition, sleep tracking, mobile payments, and more. It also offers optional LTE connectivity. You'll pay more for this perk but if that doesn't bother you, it's a nice feature to have.

Amazfit T-Rex

There's no arguing that Amazift isn't quite as popular as Samsung. However, it boasts an ever-expanding line of smartwatches, including the new T-Rex. This heavy-duty wearable is loaded with great features. In addition to military-grade durability, you'll have built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity tracking, and 20-day battery life.

Finding the right smartwatch for your needs is not always a simple task. Do you want all the bells and whistles? Would you rather keep things simple and save some money in the process? These are the questions to ask yourself when deciding between the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 and the Amazfit T-Rex.

Those who want a more seamless experience with plenty of bonus features will prefer the Galaxy Watch Active 2. However, if this just so happens to be your first smartwatch purchase or you're a fan of simplicity, then you might be better off going with the Amazfit T-Rex.

The smarter option

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is lightweight and has a stunning AMOLED display that's easy to navigate thanks to the new digital rotating bezel and touchscreen. It's not flashy but it's nice enough to wear to the gym and the office. You get two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. It comes in an aluminum or stainless steel case. The watch is compatible with 20mm quick release bands so you can always switch it up. Some of the color options include aqua black, silver cloud, pink gold.

Its Tizen OS is an ongoing work in progress, especially when it comes to app support. It has the basics, like Spotify and Strava, for example. As you might've guessed by the name of the device, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is centered around health and fitness tracking. You get onboard GPS for mapping your route, automatic exercise recognition in case you forget to start your workout manually, advanced sleep monitoring, and heart-rate tracking.

The Running Coach feature has seen some improvements, too. You get real-time pace metrics with a clear breakdown of what to expect from your workout before you start. You can listen to the handy audio cues via the built-in watch speaker or with your Bluetooth headphones. If you choose a model with LTE connectivity, the speaker is also helpful when taking a quick call from your wrist. With all of this functionality, you have to compromise somewhere. You'll get up to two days of battery life, which is understandable with so many features at work.

You'll enjoy the new electrocardiogram (ECG) feature, which is designed to detect an irregular heartbeat that could signal an underlying condition. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is waterproof, has mobile payments via Samsung Pay, and has smartphone notifications that Android users can reply to with their voice, the built-in keyboard, or with a standard quick reply. With all of that in mind, be prepared to pay more for this watch. It's also worth noting that the price tag will go up if you opt for LTE connectivity.

Keep it simple

When it comes to the Amazfit T-Rex, "large and in charge" is a serious understatement. If you want a big watch, then your wish will be granted with this 47mm monster. It comes in a polymer case that's available in black, army green, and khaki. The bright AMOLED display has a touchscreen that's easy to navigate. The bad news is that the silicone bands aren't interchangeable on this watch, so you better love silicone.

You'll also enjoy some solid activity tracking perks on this watch. Whether you're going for an indoor run at the gym or you're headed out for a trail run in the wilderness, you can track it with the Amazfit T-Rex. Some of the other sport modes include cycling, swimming, hiking, climbing, skiing. You can track your route with the built-in GPS, monitor your heart rate, and track your sleep patterns. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the military-grade durability and waterproof rating. There's no workout too tough for the T-Rex.

One of the major selling points on the Amazfit T-Rex is the stellar 20-day battery life. It has a new circuit design, which was developed exclusively for this watch. The advanced low power-consumption chip works with deep power optimization to provide users with longer battery life. Your battery will last for up to 20 days with typical use. There's also a basic watch mode that turns off Bluetooth and promises to last for up to 66 days. You get 20 hours of juice in continuous GPS mode.

Bottom line

At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a more functional smartwatch with a robust fitness tracking suite. Those who want an LTE-enabled wearable will find it to be the better choice, too. You can choose between two sizes and two case materials. Not to mention that you can change up your watch band whenever you feel like it. Other than that, you'll have GPS, a heart-rate sensor, ECG, automatic activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and Samsung Pay. It's more expensive, but it's easy to see why.

The T-Rex is an appealing new release from Amazfit. It might not be packing as much heat as the Galaxy Watch Active 2, but the low price tag sure is nice. You still get all of the basics in a highly durable watch, including GPS, heart-rate monitoring, 14 sport modes, 20-day battery life, and military-grade durability. Whether you're a beginner or budget-conscious buyer, the Amazfit T-Rex is a watch worth considering.