Super tough new Amazfit T-Rex 2 can take on polar expeditions or desert treks

Amazfit T-Rex 2
(Image credit: Amazfit)

Amazfit has revealed a new rugged multisports watch for hiking, trail running, climbing, and other activities in the great outdoors. The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is a rival to the Garmin Instinct and Coros Vertix lines, with the looks and features to back it up.

The original Amazfit T-Rex launched in 2020, and was generally well received thanks to its tough build, bright OLED display, dependable GPS, and surprisingly cheap price tag. (Amazfit keeps its costs down by building components in-house rather than importing them).

The 2022 update has a similarly chunky style with exposed screws on the lugs, but there are lots of changes under the hood. For starters, there are now lots of extra activity tracking modes, including ones designed specifically for triathlon, hunting, surfing, and fishing (finally, an acknowledgement of the sheer work that goes into catching mackerel). 

The watch is water resistant to depths of 100m, so will be fine when submerged for swimming and sports like stand-up paddle boarding. It offers battery life of up to 24 days (up from 20 days for the original T-Rex), and can survive at temperatures from -40C all the way through to 70C. Whether it's a polar expedition or the Marathon de Sables, this watch should serve you well.

Wherever you may roam

There's also dual-band GPS and support for five satellite positioning systems to ensure you get a lock, even in tricky areas like dense woodland or close to cliff faces. For exploring new areas there's real-time navigation, and you can now import your own pre-made routes directly to the watch.

The T-Rex 2 is available is the US now on Amazfit's website, and will be available to pre-order in the UK, Italy, France, and Germany from June 1. Interestingly, this is the same as the rumored release date for the upcoming Garmin Forerunner 955 and 255, so it looks like you'll be spoilt for choice if you're looking for the best GPS watch this summer.

It's another pretty affordable watch too, with prices starting at $229.99 / £219 / €299.99. That's not as cheap as the original T-Rex, but still much less than the Coros Vertix 2 or Garmin Instinct 2.

The T-Rex 2 will roll out globally later in the month. We're hoping to test it and bring you a full review as soon as possible.

Cat Ellis
Former editor

Cat is Homes Editor at TechRadar and former editor of Advnture. She's been a journalist for 15 years, and cut her teeth on magazines before moving online. She helps readers choose the right tech for their home, get the best deals, and do more with their new devices.