Amazfit has swelled its smartwatch ranks by launching the Amazfit GTR 4, GTS 4 and GTS 4 Mini at IFA 2022.
The company has had a quiet year by its standards, but the new flagship smartwatches represent a significant improvement on the previous generation – both in terms of design and features.
The follow-up to the GT 3 series, which launched at the back end of 2021, while the GTS 4 Mini is the successor to the GTS 2 Mini as Amazfit never launched a GTS 3 Mini.
Interestingly, there doesn't seem to be any sign of an Amazfit GTR 3 Pro successor, which launched alongside the GTR 3 and the GTS 3.
We were on the ground at IFA 2022, at the Amazfit press conference, to get hands on with the devices. Read on for our first impressions.
> Read our full Amazfit GTS 4 review
Amazfit GTR 4 and GTS 4 first impressions
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Amazfit GTR 4 with rubber strap
We'll start with the GTR 4 and GTS 4, which once again gives you the option of round or square case looks.
The round GTR 4 (above) comes in brown, black leather and grey colors and hosts an always-on AMOLED display, with the option to pick from over 200 watch faces, including over 30 animated and interactive ones.
The aluminum case has a weight to it – and the "racing car inspired design" makes for a hyper-masculine look.
Meanwhile the decidedly more feminine Amazfit GTS 4 (below) comes in white, brown, and pink colorways, measuring in at 9.9mm thick (without the sensor). It features a 1.75-inch AMOLED touchscreen display.
It's more lightweight and svelte – and our first impressions were that the GTS/GTR have deviated in their look more than on previous generations. We wouldn't say they're are exclusively made for men/women – but there's a more deliberate effort here to appeal to women.
Improved OS, new apps
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Amazfit GTS 4
Despite their visual differences, both watches run the new Zepp OS 2.0 operating system, which heralds a bunch of improvements. There's a new app menu layout options, and users now get Amazon Alexa integration.
You can use Alexa to control the smartwatch, and there's a raise-to-wake gesture to go hands free.
But there's also been a a built-in music player and access to a mini-app store, which includes some games and new utilities such as an app for baby sleep and feeding times.
It's hardly the Wear OS or App Store – but more utilities are certainly welcome – and make the experience feel busier.
Heart rate improvements
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On the health and fitness tracking front, both include Amazfit's new BioTracker 4.0 optical sensor array that the company boasts collects 33% more data than its predecessor. Amazfit claims this will improve heart rate tracking performance for exercise.
It will also monitor blood oxygen and stress level data.
Sleep monitoring has also been given a boost, including the ability to now create your own sleep schedule – which means shift workers will get better accuracy for daytime naps.
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Amazfit GTR 4 with nylon strap
Amazfit has also added the dual-band GPS antenna technology from the T-Rex 2 – and will offer support for up to six satellite systems and the ability to upload and follow routes via a future firmware update. Its also uses an improve antenna which the company claims will improve signal during workouts.
It's adding strength training modes, with reps counting and some pretty nifty looking analysis of muscles worked.
And the GTS/R 4 also gets Track Run – and golfers can also use the Golf Swing mode when out on the driving range.
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Amazfit GTS 4 showing thin case
In terms of battery life, the GTR 4 can deliver up to 14 days in typical usage while the GTS 4 should last over a week with similar usage.
We imagine just like the GTS 3 and GTR 3 though, if you're using continuous health monitoring features, those battery numbers will take a hit.
Amazfit GTS 4 Mini
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Joining the GTR 4 and GTS 4 is the GTS 4 Mini, which already launched in India in July, so we pretty much know what to expect.
It features a 41mm case, has a 1.65-inch, 336 x 384 resolution AMOLED screen with an always-on display mode and comes with a 20mm strap.
Features-wise, it also runs on Zepp OS and includes Amazon Alexa integration, built-in GPS with 120+ sports modes, 24/7 heart and blood oxygen monitoring and it promises up to 15 days battery life in typical usage.
So you're mainly getting a slightly bigger case, screen, battery life and new optical sensors compared to the GTS 2 Mini.
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Amazfit GTR 4, GTS 4 and GTS 4 Mini price and release date
The Amazfit GTR 4 and GTS 4 will be available globally landing in the UK and the likes of Spain, Italy and France later in September. Pricing for the duo starts at 199 Euros, so they'll be sticking at around the same price as its predecessors.
The GTS 4 Mini unsurprisingly comes in cheaper at 99.99 Euros and is available in Germany now with other countries to follow.
We'll be getting the GT 4 series smartwatches in for testing, so we'll be able to share our thoughts on whether Amazfit has delivered a worthy upgrade on the GT 3 and GT 2 Mini series.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.