Amazfit GTS 2 Mini v Amazfit GTS 2: choose the right smartwatch
Huami is a smartwatch launching machine right now, and its latest comes in the form of the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini. Yes, that’s another version of the GTS 2, which only launched in October 2020.
The new GTS 2 Mini was unveiled in December 2020 alongside the Amazfit GTS 2e and GTR 2e, which are also tipped to get a global launch in the coming months.
Wareable verdict: Amazfit GTS 2 review
We are going to put those two watches aside just for now and focus on the GTS 2 Mini. How does it compare to the GTS 2? What features do you lose or maybe even gain?
Until we’ve completed our testing of Amazfit’s latest smartwatch, we take a look at how the specs and features list, which may help you decide between the two.
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini v Amazfit GTS 2: Price and availability
As mentioned, there’s only been a few months between the launches of the GTS 2 Mini and the GTS 2. If you want the cheapest option, then it’s the GTS 2 Mini, which is priced at £79.00.
The GTS 2 is currently available for £159.99, which is a big jump in price.
Both watches are available directly from Amazfit and retailers like Amazon. In the UK, it Argos is already selling the GTS 2 Mini.
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini v Amazfit GTS 2: Design and screens
Amazfit GTS 2
Like the first GTS, the GTS 2 and GTS 2 Mini are about putting attractive square smartwatches on your wrist.
These are never going to be Apple Watch-level build quality, but for the price, you’ll still get something you’d actually want to wear.
We’ll start with the GTS 2, which comes in black, grey and gold colors and features a 42mm size case that measures in at 9.7mm thick. That case is made from an aluminium alloy with a plastic case back and is partnered up with a 20mm silicone strap. There’s just a single physical button and as a package it’s waterproof up to 50 metres.
The GTS 2 Mini is available in black, pink and green looks and drops down to a 40mm case that measures in slimmer at 8.95mm. You still get that aluminium alloy and plastic case combo. It comes with the same sized silicone strap and waterproof rating too.
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini
So the Mini gets you a smaller and slimmer watch, but manages to stick to the same case materials. It loses that curvier case edge you’ll find on the GTS 2, which helps house some features you miss out on the Mini.
Inevitably, the drop down in size means a changes in the display department. The GTS 2 packs the larger 1.65-inch 348 x 442 AMOLED display while the Mini comes with a 1.55-inch 354 x 306 AMOLED screen.
That means a drop down in resolution, though as its packed into a smaller display, it should still offer sharp screen surroundings for a watch that sits under £100. Both also offer always-on display modes.
We’ll talk batteries here too and the good news is that there’s the promise of good battery life across both watches. The GTS 2 promises 7 days in typical use, 20 days in basic use and 3.5 days in heavy usage. The GTS 2 Mini in comparison promises 14 days in typical use, 21 days in basic use and 7 days in heavy usage.
Those numbers suggest the Mini will give you more, but it’s worth keeping in mind that there’s a smaller screen and fewer features to power that will influence just how long you stay away from that charger.
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini v Amazfit GTS 2: Fitness and sports tracking features
Amazfit GTS 2
Huami’s Amazfit smartwatches are beginning to be mentioned in the same breath as Fitbit’s smartwatches, because they offer the same serious mix of fitness tracking and smartwatch features.
The fitness tracking abilities have definitely impressed on the whole, so you can expect more of the same whichever GTS 2 model you for.
The bigger GTS 2 includes all the key motion sensors to enable daily activity tracking and sleep monitoring.
There’s Huami’s BioTracker 2 PPG health sensor that brings continuous heart rate monitoring, heart rate during exercise and powers features like its PAI Health assessment system and stress tracking.
It also enables blood oxygen measurements that can be monitored continuously or checked on the spot.
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini
There’s GPS and GLONASS to map your outdoor activities and 90 sports tracking modes that include running, pool swimming and cycling.
Flipping over to the Mini and it pretty much matches the bigger GTS 2 for sensors.
It does appear to be missing the air pressure sensor, which does give you additional environmental data when you’re tracking activities outdoors like hiking and climbing.
There are 70 sports modes as opposed to 90, but it will cover the same core sports modes and offer the same metrics.
Air pressure sensor and a few more sports modes aside, these two watches are pretty evenly matched in the health and fitness tracking departments.
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini v Amazfit GTS 2: Smartwatch features
Amazfit GTS 2
This is an area where Amazfit watches have felt a little behind the competition. With the arrival of the GTS 2 and GTR 2 though, it’s clear Huami has sought to offer a better balance of smartwatch and fitness features.
With the GTS 2, we got a watch that was compatible with Android and iOS devices, letting you view notifications, pick from an extensive range of customisable watch faces, make calls over Bluetooth and control music playback on your paired phone.
It took things further by adding a built-in music player with around 3GB of storage to pile on your own music via the Zepp companion phone app. It also introduced an offline voice assistant to control key watch features and settings as well as integration of Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant.
So how much of those features make the cut on the GTS 2 Mini? Well, you’re going to get the same level of notification support, 50 watch faces with 30 that work in always-on display mode and a new Pomodoro clock mode. If you’re not familiar with Pomodoro, it’s all about helping you improve productivity during your day.
It misses out on the built-in music player, but will let you control music on your phone. There doesn’t appear to be the ability to make calls and both Huami and Amazon’s smart assistants are missing in action too.
Clearly, if you want a more feature-rich smartwatch experience, it’s the GTS 2, not the GT2 Mini you go for here.
Initial verdict
While the GTS 2 Mini might be seen as just a smaller GTS 2, it actually offers a lot of the same features.
In our review we criticized the Amazfit GTS 2 for being too expensive, compared to rivals. There are shortcomings around the app experience in comparison to Fitbit and Apple, but that’s easy to forgive at a £100 price point, and less so at £159.99.
But the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini solves that. It essentially offers the same experience at a killer price point. If you want the music storage and smart assistant then go for the larger GTS 2. But these are absolutely not worth the hike in price, and the GTS 2 Mini feels like great value.
Buy the GTS 2 Mini if..
The best value smartwatch around. The mix of fitness, health features packed into a decent package with great battery life and a sharp screen. There’s a lot to like here.
Buy the GTS 2 if…
If you want a better mix of smartwatch and fitness features, it’s clear the GTS 2 is the one to look to. For those who are actually more interested in a smartwatch that has strong fitness features, good battery life and much of the same in terms of looks, then it might be worth saving yourself some money with the GTS 2 Mini instead.
