Hands-on: The Amazfit T-Rex smartwatch is rugged and cheaper than you'd expect

Update: January 8, 2020 at 4:10 p.m. ET: A previous version of this article claimed that the Amazfit T-Rex does not have interchangeable straps. The straps are in fact interchangeable, just not quick release straps. The article has been updated with the correct information.

Also, we received another Amazfit T-Rex review unit that works properly, so the connection issues have been resolved. We will have a review out in the coming weeks with more details on the device’s software.

If we’ve learned one thing over the years, it’s that Android Authority readers don’t like to overpay for things. That’s why budget-friendly brands like Xiaomi, realme, and OPPO are so popular with our community. Huami is one such brand that’s been known to release surprisingly great looking smartwatches that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

At CES 2020, Huami is releasing its very first rugged smartwatch, the Huami Amazfit T-Rex. It’s an aggressive name, but I think it fits the smartwatch’s aesthetic.

First thing’s first: The Amazfit T-Rex is big. I have bigger than average wrists and it looks gigantic on me. It’s certainly a look, but not one I’m particularly fond of. Luckily the watch is light at 56.7 grams, so it’s not so unwieldy.

Huami is going for durability here, and it shows with the T-Rex’s hardware. The case is made of plastic and has a MIL-STD-810G durability rating and 5ATM water resistance. Four textured buttons surround the watch case: one for up, one for down, one for select, one for back. The buttons click okay, but they’re a little mushy for my liking.

Under the hood, the Amazfit T-Rex comes with a built-in GPS, heart rate sensor, Bluetooth 5.0, and a battery that Huami says will last 20 days on a single charge. We found Huami’s Amazfit GTS to last its estimated battery longevity, so you can probably expect the T-Rex to easily last over two weeks.

Huami cut corners on the included strap, though. The straps are silicone, but the kind of silicone that makes you not want to put it on your wrist. It’s too grippy and stretchy and just feels low quality. The straps are interchangeable, but they’re not quick release straps.

I’ve also had considerable issues getting the Amazfit T-Rex to pair with my phones. The Amazfit app won’t recognize the smartwatch, and the watch is stuck on a screen that reads “Open the app and select ‘check for updates’.” I literally can’t use the watch.

It’s a shame because as far as I can tell, the 1.3-inch AMOLED display looks crisp and vibrant, and I was looking forward to testing out the smartwatch’s multisport workout modes. I’ll let you know if I have any updates after I’m able to get the watch connected to my phone.

The Amazfit T-Rex will be available tomorrow, January 8, for just $139.90.