Amazfit GTR 3 Review: The Sweet Spot GTR Model

The Amazfit GTR 3 represents one of the smartwatch market’s best value propositions: a traditional circular design packed with comprehensive fitness features, exceptional battery life, and smart functionality at a remarkably accessible price. Positioned as the mid-range model in Amazfit’s GTR lineup, it delivers roughly 80% of the GTR 4’s capabilities while costing significantly less.

This isn’t just another budget smartwatch trying to do everything poorly. The GTR 3 is a focused device that excels at the fundamentals: fitness tracking, health monitoring, and providing that classic round watch aesthetic that many users prefer over the tech-forward designs dominating the market. It’s the watch for users who want comprehensive smart features without sacrificing traditional watch elegance or breaking the bank.

What Makes the GTR 3 Special

The GTR 3’s greatest strength lies in its ability to feel like a traditional timepiece while delivering modern smartwatch functionality. The 1.39-inch AMOLED display provides stunning clarity at 454x454 resolution with 326 PPI, while the aluminum alloy case and matte finish give it a premium feel that belies its mid-range pricing.

But it’s the 21-day battery life that truly sets the GTR 3 apart from most competitors. This isn’t just theoretical—real-world usage consistently delivers 1-2 weeks even with active GPS use and comprehensive health monitoring enabled. This fundamentally changes the smartwatch experience, eliminating charging anxiety and making it truly “set and forget” for extended periods.

The fitness tracking capabilities are comprehensive without being overwhelming. With 150+ sports modes and automatic detection for eight common activities, the GTR 3 handles everything from casual walking to intensive training sessions. The BioTracker 3.0 PPG sensor provides accurate heart rate monitoring, while the one-tap health measurement feature delivers heart rate, SpO2, stress, and breathing rate data in just 45 seconds.

Key Features & Performance

Display Excellence: The AMOLED screen delivers vibrant colors and excellent outdoor visibility with up to 1000 nits brightness. The always-on display mode maintains visibility without significantly impacting battery life, while the anti-fingerprint coating keeps it looking clean through daily use.

Health Monitoring: Beyond basic step counting, the GTR 3 provides clinical-grade health insights including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep stage analysis, stress tracking, and blood oxygen monitoring. The comprehensive health dashboard in the Zepp app provides actionable insights for improving fitness and wellness.

GPS Performance: While using single-band GPS (unlike the dual-band system in the GTR 4), the GTR 3 still provides good accuracy for most activities. It supports five satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS) for reliable positioning, though precision-critical activities might benefit from the GTR 4’s enhanced system.

Smart Features: Alexa integration brings voice control for weather, timers, smart home devices, and general queries. The offline voice assistant handles basic watch functions without requiring phone connectivity. Notification management is comprehensive, though response capabilities are limited to predefined quick replies.

What You’re Missing vs. Premium Models

The GTR 3 makes strategic omissions to hit its price point. Most notably, there’s no Bluetooth calling capability—you can see incoming calls but must answer on your phone. Music storage isn’t available either, though music playback control works well for phone-based streaming.

The single-band GPS, while adequate for most users, lacks the precision of dual-band systems found in premium models. For casual fitness tracking this isn’t problematic, but serious athletes or those requiring meter-level accuracy might want to consider the GTR 4.

Third-party app support is limited compared to Apple Watch or Wear OS devices. The Zepp OS ecosystem provides essential functions and some games, but don’t expect the extensive app libraries found on other platforms.

Who Should Choose the GTR 3

The GTR 3 makes perfect sense for several key user groups:

Traditional Watch Enthusiasts who want smart functionality without abandoning classic aesthetics will appreciate the circular design and premium materials. It looks at home in both casual and business settings.

Value-Conscious Fitness Enthusiasts get comprehensive health and fitness tracking that rivals much more expensive alternatives. The sports mode variety and accuracy make it suitable for most activities from casual walking to marathon training.

Battery Life Prioritizers who are tired of daily charging routines will love the genuine multi-week battery life. It’s ideal for travel, camping, or simply preferring to think about your watch as little as possible.

Cross-Platform Users benefit from excellent iOS and Android compatibility, unlike ecosystem-specific alternatives that favor their native platforms.

Buying Considerations

At its typical street price of $150-180, the GTR 3 represents exceptional value in the circular smartwatch segment. It costs significantly less than comparable Garmin Venu models while offering similar core functionality and superior battery life.

However, consider your priorities carefully. If Bluetooth calling is important, the GTR 3 Pro or GTR 4 are better choices despite the higher cost. If you need the most accurate GPS possible, the GTR 4’s dual-band system justifies its premium. For extensive app usage, Apple Watch or Wear OS devices provide richer ecosystems.

The GTR 3 excels when your priorities align with its strengths: traditional design, excellent battery life, comprehensive fitness tracking, and outstanding value. It’s the smartwatch equivalent of a reliable, well-equipped mid-range car—it may not have every luxury feature, but it does the important things exceptionally well at a price that makes sense.

For most users seeking a traditional-looking smartwatch with modern capabilities and exceptional battery life, the GTR 3 remains one of the market’s best choices. It proves that you don’t need to spend premium prices to get a premium experience, as long as you choose thoughtfully based on your actual needs rather than a spec sheet checklist.