Forget the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 might be the surprise outdoor smartwatch to beat this year

• Amazfit, maker of the best cheap running watches, has launched the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2
• Designed to go toe-to-toe with more premium running watches, it packs pre-loaded full-color maps, a Garmin-style flashlight, and a speaker/mic for calls
• It costs $549.99 (around £410 / AU$800)

We've just reviewed the Amazfit Balance 2, but Amazfit keeps firing those devices out. It's now set its sights on premium adventure watches like the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, and Garmin Fenix 8, by launching its own Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2.

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 is said to be aimed at people who really need reliable on-watch navigational features. Scott Shepley, head of global marketing, said in a press release that it's "a watch for people who rely on navigation, endurance, and on-watch decision-making in demanding environments.

“It’s designed for long, complex routes where preparation and reliability matter, and it complements the T-Rex 3 Pro within the T-Rex family by serving a more expedition-focused use case.”

So, reading between the lines, this is the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro of the Amazfit line: you're paying extra for premium features designed to keep you safe in the wild. You can plan offline routes of up to 100km, and the full-color maps include faster re-routing thanks to six different satellite networks. 64GB of storage ensures ample space for maps and music, there's a flashlight for attracting attention if you need it, and the battery life lasts up to 30 days. Unlike Garmin, there's no solar option, but it's plenty more than the likes of the Apple and Samsung Ultra watches get.

Technical routing software includes the ability to set your own checkpoints, so you get reminders after hitting certain points in a race to take on sugar or water, for example. More features include grade-adjusted pace, which tracks performance more accurately during outdoor workouts on hilly terrain, voice memo recording during workouts (which sounds similar to the Coros Pace 4's voice pin feature), and a built-in speaker and microphone for Bluetooth calls.

Best (at least, funniest) of all, the watch has 'a low-interference green light that allows users to clearly view the watch while wearing night vision goggles'. This sounds absolutely batty in isolation, but Amazfit is clearly going for the same sort of military-inspired market as the Garmin Tactix 8, with its cerakote coating, 'stealth mode' and watch-wiping killswitch.

The watch costs $549.99 (around £410 / AU$800), with proper GB and AU pricing TBD. That's around half the price of a full-price Garmin Fenix 8, and a little cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

The best Garmin watches for all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best Garmin watches
1. Best overall:
Garmin Venu 4
2. Best premium:
Garmin Fenix 8
3. Best budget:
Garmin Vivoactive 6

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