Can the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro match a Garmin watch for running?

Garmin’s Forerunner 955 has been my daily running companion for years. But I tested it against the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro on a series of runs, and the results caught me off guard – in a good way. To remind, Zepp Health’s latest timepiece was released at the beginning of this month.

The chunkier rival that can run

Now, the Amazfit is a chunky watch. There’s no denying that. It’s thick, rugged, and leans more toward expedition gear than something built for a casual jog. At least the version I’ve been testing, which is the 48mm. There’s also a 44mm option, which will be slimmer, but that one isn’t available yet.

Even so, the titanium build helps keep the weight down. The T-Rex 3 Pro wears surprisingly well, even on smaller wrists like mine. The 1.5 inch AMOLED screen is easy to read, and with brightness hitting 3,000 nits, it holds up well in direct sunlight. Stats are easy to glance at while running, without needing to slow down or squint.

What matters more is how it performs in the real world.

I took both watches on three separate runs: a short 3K, a mid-range 5K, and a longer 7.5K session. Throughout all three tests, I kept a close eye on heart rate accuracy and GPS precision, two of the most important metrics for any runner.

On the 3K run, the distance recorded was nearly identical. The T-Rex 3 Pro measured 3.02 kilometers, while the Forerunner 955 came in just a hair higher at 3.03. When it came to heart rate, the Amazfit registered an average of 138 beats per minute, with a max of 155bpm. Garmin logged 139 and 155bpm respectively. That’s a one bpm difference in average, and a perfect match on peak effort. You’d struggle to find better alignment, even from two Garmin watches worn at once.

The 5K was just as consistent. Both watches clocked the same 5.01 kilometers. Average heart rate was 145 on the T-Rex 3 Pro and 146 on the Forerunner. Peak values came in at 161 and 162bpm respectively. Again, this is close enough to be functionally the same, and it speaks well to the upgraded sensor inside the Amazfit.

By the time I finished the 7.5K run, it was clear this wasn’t a fluke. The Amazfit recorded 7.51 kilometers, while the Garmin measured 7.53. The heart rate data followed the same pattern – 141 bpm average for Amazfit, 142 for Garmin. Max heart rate was identical at 154. Over a longer distance and sustained effort, the T-Rex 3 Pro continued to match the Forerunner’s readings with a level of consistency I honestly didn’t expect.

The platform is still catching up

Where there is a slight difference is in the depth of the platform. Garmin still leads on that count.

You get more detailed performance insights and better integration across devices. That said, Zepp Health’s software has matured significantly. The T-Rex 3 Pro delivers most of the core running stats that matter, including VO2 Max, Training Load, recovery time, performance condition, vertical ratio and ground contact time. Some more niche stats are still missing, but the gap is narrowing each year.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The GPS connection on the Amazfit was just as quick to lock in as Garmin, and satellite accuracy held strong across all three routes. Heart rate performance, clearly, is no longer a weak point. You now get results that are close enough to trust during training, and that alone changes the value proposition.

Real-time readiness with BioCharge

One feature that sets the T-Rex 3 Pro apart from some older Amazfit watches is BioCharge. This new readiness score updates throughout the day, estimating how recovered you are and how ready you are to train. It’s a clear attempt to rival Garmin’s Body Battery. Out of the box, BioCharge is available immediately, but like Body Battery, it takes a few weeks to calibrate. After a week of use, I noticed the numbers can be erratic, so patience is needed before it becomes a trustworthy stat.

The potential is there. Zepp Health clearly sees BioCharge as a centerpiece metric, and it adds value to the watch, particularly for those who want real-time insights rather than just post-run summaries.

A solid option for serious runners

This is the most accurate Amazfit watch I’ve tested to date. If you’re a runner, the T-Rex 3 Pro offers real competition to Garmin’s Forerunner line, at least as far as running stats. It won’t replace a Garmin if you’re deep into dissecting every possible performance metric. But for accurate GPS, reliable heart rate, and a growing suite of supporting data, it covers all the essentials.

Just be aware of the size. This is not a low-profile design. But if you can handle the 48mm frame, or wait for the smaller model, the performance is there. That one’s due at the end of October, but for now, it’s 48mm or nothing.

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