Huami launched last year with the Amazfit GTR, one of the most popular Smart Watches of the Group in the market, although the smartwatch still has problems with the GPS. Now with the Amazfit GTR 2, a successor to the popular model.
The Honor Watch Magic could complete delight two years ago, looking forward. Now the Huawei subsidiary is coming onto the market with the successor model. The Honor Watch Magic 2 is very similar to its (big) brother from Huawei, but does it also have its own strengths? You will find out in this review.
In this comparison, you can find out whether the Amazfit GTR 2 vs Honor Watch Magic 2 is the manufacturer’s best smartwatch to date.
General
| Amazfit GTR 2 | Honor Watch Magic 2 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Amazfit | Honor |
| Model | GTR 2 | Magic 2 |
| Release date | Dec 17, 2020 | Nov 26, 2019 |
| Compatibility | Android + iOS | Android + iOS |
| Internal Memory | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Proprietary OS |
| Colors | Classic, Sport | Charcoal Black, Flax Brown |
Amazfit GTR 2
The first version of the Amazfit GTR from Huami was a real bestseller, even though the hardware-related GPS problems are still relevant today. Now Huami has launched the successor with the Amazfit GTR 2 and hopes to build on the success of the GTR. The new GTR 2 still has a round main shape, but it is quite different from its predecessor in terms of its appearance. Amazfit is now, similar to Huawei and Honor have already shown, a design without an attached bezel. The cover glass above the display extends to the edge of the housing. There is no real bezel (anymore). There is a minute scale below the glass for this.
The Amazfit GTR 2 is offered in the sport version shown here with a black aluminum case and silicone strap and a classic version with a stainless steel case and leather strap. Amazfit does without a second size this time, and therefore, only a 46 mm version is available.
With dimensions of 46.4 x 10.7 mm, the watch is quite flat, which is also very positive when wearing it. With a weight of 47 grams, including bracelets, it sits very comfortably on the wrist and even cuts a better figure for me than its predecessor. There are two buttons on the right side of the case. A red body again marks the upper button. The microphone is located slightly below the buttons on the right-hand side, while the loudspeaker is located opposite.
As usual, the underside of black plastic is the optical pulse sensor and two charging pins. The bracelet mounts are a little more filigree than their predecessor. The black silicone bracelet is 22 mm wide and 8.5 cm, including the pin buckle or 12 cm long. Huami uses a standard quick-release fastener again, so all bracelets with the appropriate width can be used.
Honor Watch Magic 2
The Honor Watch Magic 2 basically follows the classic, round watch shape. Like Amazfit with the GTR, Honor relies on two different case sizes. There is a version with a diameter of 46 mm (our test device) and another with a diameter of 42 mm. The Watch Magic 2 has two buttons, similar to the Huawei Watch GT 2e, on the right side of the case. The top button has a red line in the crown, which gives the whole thing a sportier look. Honor has probably used its big brother Huawei more than once can be seen primarily on display. Here, too, the bezel was placed directly on the edge of the display and covered by the glass. While a time scale was printed on the Huawei Watch GT 2e, a tachymeter scale is printed.
The large 46 mm version is available in the color variants Charcoal Black (our test device) and Flax Brown. The smaller 42mm version, in turn, is in the colors Black and Roze available. The black versions each have a silicone strap, while the Flax Brown has a leather strap, and the Roze has a metal bracelet.
The housing of the Watch Magic 2 is made of stainless steel and connects directly to the display. The edge is nicely worked out. While the upper edge of the case was designed in a glossy black directly on the bezel, the rest of the case is matt black. As usual, the charging pins and the optical pulse sensor are located on the back of the watch. The mounts for the bracelet are a good size and protrude slightly from the case.
The bracelet is approx. 19.6 cm long and is closed by a classic pin buckle. It is perforated on both sides, and this effectively reduces sweating during sport. The tape has one width of 22 mm and quick-release fasteners and can therefore be exchanged for other straps. The processing quality of Honor leaves nothing to be desired. You can find both strong lines and finer forms, all of which are very neatly worked out.
Technical Specifications
| Amazfit GTR 2 | Honor Watch Magic 2 | |
| Screen Size | 1.39 Inch | 1.39 Inch |
| Display | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| PPI Density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Sensors | – Accelerometer – Gyro – Light – GPS – Menstrual cycle – Stress tracking – Sleep tracking | – Accelerometer – Gyro – GPS – A-GPS – Compass – Barometer – Heart rate |
| Battery | 14 days | 14 days |
| Battery Capacity | 471 mAh | 455 mAh |
| Wireless Charging | Magnetic Connector | Magnetic Connector |
| Water-Resistant | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Dimensions | 46.4 x 46.4 x 10.7 mm | 45.9 x 45.9 x 10.7 mm |
| Weight | 31 grams | 41 g |
Amazfit GTR 2
When display Huami did no major experiments and reinstalled the familiar 1.39 inches wide AMOLED display with 454 x 454 pixels, the pixel density also remains 326 PPI. The hardened 3D glass now protects the whole thing with anti-fingerprint and ODLC coating. The brightness can again be continuously adjusted via a controller, and the ambient light sensor also has an auto-brightness function.
The color rendering is still really great. Especially the real black of the AMOLED display makes all menus and watch faces look really good. The digitizer does its job very reliably. The display was, is, and will remain a real strength of Huami. Fortunately, this does not change with the Amazfit GTR 2.
Honor Watch Magic 2
A 1.39-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels is installed as the display. As is typical for AMOLED, the color rendering is really very nice. The maximum brightness is high enough even in direct sunlight to read the display reasonably well. The digitizer also does its job without any problems. All entries can be implemented quickly and correctly. Of course, there is also the option of an always-on display to use. However, this will reduce the battery life of the watch by up to 50%.
The glass is unfortunately susceptible and apparently not well enough protected against external environmental influences. You can only see it from certain angles, but a decent Gorilla Glass 3 would have made sense here. To prevent scratches, you should use the watch with a protective glass.
Activity Monitoring
| Amazfit GTR 2 | Honor Watch Magic 2 | |
| Step counter | Yes | Yes |
| Calories burned | Yes | Yes |
| Distance travelled | Yes | Yes |
| Raised floors | No | No |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Measuring stress levels | Yes | No |
| Date & Time Display | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm Clock | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate measurement | Yes | Yes |
| Calorie intake | No | Yes |
| Hydration levels | No | No |
| Other Watch Functions | – Make call – Accept and Rejecting Calls – Activity Reminder | – Make call – Waterproof – Activity Reminder |
Smart Features
| Amazfit GTR 2 | Honor Watch Magic 2 | |
| Smartphone notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless payments | No | No |
| Music storage and playback | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming services | No | No |
| Virtual Assistant | No | No |
| Meteorology | Weather forecast | Weather forecast |
Conclusion!
Many users were very excited about the Amazfit GTR 2 because the previous model was really very popular despite some weaknesses. The Amazfit GTR 2 has been given a new design and now looks much more classic and serious. The wearing comfort is really great, and the quality of the craft is beyond any doubt. The display and the battery also cut a good figure.
The range of functions has been expanded slightly, and offline voice control is a cool new feature. Unfortunately, the Alexa integration is currently not yet usable, but this could also be a beneficial feature. Regarding sports tracking, GPS accuracy seems better than the predecessor, but excellent values ​​also look different. In addition, the heart rate measurement has become far too imprecise during tracking.
The Honor Watch Magic 2 is the almost perfect smartwatch. The good equipment, the processing quality, the sports racking, and the battery life can absolutely convince me. Despite the additional call function via the integrated loudspeaker and microphone, the Watch Magic 2 has to share the space at the top with the Huawei Watch GT 2e. The very scratch-sensitive display must definitely be protected with a film or glass so that you can enjoy it for longer.
