Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of wearable technology, the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini has emerged as a noteworthy contender in the budget-friendly smartwatch segment. As a tech enthusiast and fitness tracker aficionado, I've had the opportunity to thoroughly test this device, and I'm excited to share my in-depth review. This compact powerhouse aims to deliver essential fitness tracking features in a sleek, lightweight package, all while maintaining an accessible price point. Let's dive into the details and explore whether the GTS 4 Mini lives up to its promises.
Design and Build Quality: Lightweight Elegance
The first thing that strikes you about the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini is its remarkably lightweight design. Tipping the scales at a mere 19 grams, this smartwatch practically disappears on your wrist, making it an ideal companion for both daily wear and intense workouts. The featherlight construction is a testament to Amazfit's engineering prowess, as they've managed to pack a wealth of features into such a compact form factor.
The watch features a sleek, rectangular shape with gently rounded corners, reminiscent of more premium smartwatches on the market. The metal frame adds a touch of durability and sophistication, elevating the overall aesthetic. While it may not exude the same premium feel as high-end offerings from Apple or Samsung, the build quality is impressive considering its price range.
One of the standout design features is the 5 ATM water resistance rating, which means the watch can withstand water pressure equivalent to a depth of 50 meters. This makes it suitable for swimming and showering, adding to its versatility as a fitness companion. It's worth noting that this level of water resistance is on par with many more expensive smartwatches, showcasing Amazfit's commitment to providing value at a lower price point.
The GTS 4 Mini comes with a comfortable silicone strap that's well-suited for most users. However, for those who like to personalize their devices, the watch features a standard 20mm quick-release mechanism, allowing for easy strap swapping. This opens up a world of customization options, from leather bands for a more formal look to breathable nylon straps for intense workouts.
Display: AMOLED Brilliance in a Compact Package
The centerpiece of the GTS 4 Mini is undoubtedly its vibrant 1.65-inch AMOLED display. This screen is a slight upgrade from its predecessor, offering more real estate for at-a-glance information. The use of AMOLED technology results in deep blacks and punchy colors, creating a visually striking interface that's easy to read in various lighting conditions.
With a resolution of 336 x 384 pixels, the display offers a pixel density of approximately 309 PPI (pixels per inch). This level of sharpness ensures that text and icons appear crisp and well-defined, even when viewed up close. The screen's maximum brightness of 350 nits provides excellent visibility in bright sunlight, a crucial feature for outdoor fitness enthusiasts.
One of the more premium features of the GTS 4 Mini is its support for an always-on display. This allows users to check the time and other essential information without having to raise their wrist or interact with the watch. While this feature does impact battery life, it adds a layer of convenience that many users will appreciate.
It's worth noting that the refresh rate of the display is limited to 30Hz, which is lower than some more expensive smartwatches that offer 60Hz or even 120Hz refresh rates. This limitation can result in occasional sluggishness when navigating menus or slight delays in touch response. While not a deal-breaker for most users, it's something to be aware of if you're particularly sensitive to screen responsiveness.
Performance and Fitness Tracking: Punching Above Its Weight Class
At the heart of the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini lies a powerful system-on-chip (SoC) that drives its various functions. While Amazfit doesn't disclose the specific processor model, my testing reveals performance that's more than adequate for the watch's intended use cases. The device runs on Zepp OS, a proprietary operating system optimized for low-power devices, which contributes to its impressive battery life.
The GTS 4 Mini shines in its core function as a fitness tracker. It employs Amazfit's BioTracker™ 3.0 PPG optical sensor, which provides reliable heart rate monitoring throughout the day and during workouts. In my testing, I found the heart rate data to be consistently accurate when compared to a chest strap heart rate monitor, with only minor discrepancies during very high-intensity activities.
Step counting is another area where the GTS 4 Mini performs admirably. Using a combination of accelerometer and gyroscope data, the watch provides accurate step counts with only occasional minor discrepancies. These discrepancies are typically within the 2-3% range, which is on par with or better than many other fitness trackers in this price range.
One of the most impressive aspects of the GTS 4 Mini is its comprehensive sleep tracking capabilities. The watch uses a combination of heart rate data, movement detection, and proprietary algorithms to provide detailed insights into your sleep patterns. It breaks down your sleep into light sleep, deep sleep, and REM stages, offering a sleep score and recommendations for improvement. While not medical-grade, the sleep tracking feature provides valuable insights for those looking to optimize their rest.
The GTS 4 Mini supports an impressive array of 105 different sports modes, catering to a wide variety of activities. From common exercises like running, cycling, and swimming to more niche activities like zumba and rock climbing, the watch has you covered. Each sport mode provides tailored metrics relevant to the activity, enhancing the overall fitness tracking experience.
Health Monitoring: Beyond Basic Tracking
In addition to standard fitness metrics, the GTS 4 Mini incorporates several health monitoring features that elevate it above basic fitness trackers. One such feature is the inclusion of a blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor. This allows users to measure their blood oxygen saturation levels, which can be particularly useful for athletes training at high altitudes or individuals with certain health conditions. It's important to note, however, that while this feature can provide general wellness insights, it should not be relied upon for medical-grade accuracy.
The watch also offers stress level measurement, utilizing heart rate variability (HRV) data to estimate your stress levels throughout the day. While the practical applications of this feature may be limited for some users, it can serve as a helpful reminder to take a moment to relax or practice mindfulness when stress levels appear elevated.
Female health tracking is another thoughtful inclusion in the GTS 4 Mini's feature set. The watch can help users track their menstrual cycles and provide predictions for future cycles, ovulation, and fertile windows. This integration of health and fitness tracking showcases Amazfit's holistic approach to wellness monitoring.
Battery Life and Charging: A True Endurance Athlete
One of the standout features of the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini is its impressive battery life. Powered by a 270mAh lithium-ion battery, the watch boasts up to 15 days of typical use on a single charge. This extended battery life is achieved through a combination of efficient hardware, optimized software, and the use of an AMOLED display that conserves power when displaying darker content.
In my real-world testing, I found that with moderate use, including daily activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and occasional GPS-connected workouts, the watch easily lasted 12-13 days. Even with heavy usage, including the always-on display feature activated and multiple GPS-tracked workouts per week, I consistently achieved 7-8 days of battery life. This longevity is particularly impressive when compared to more feature-rich smartwatches that often require daily charging.
The GTS 4 Mini utilizes a proprietary magnetic charger that attaches easily to the back of the device. The charging process is relatively quick, with the watch reaching a full charge in approximately two hours. While the proprietary nature of the charger means you'll need to keep track of it specifically, the infrequency of charging makes this less of an inconvenience than it might be for other devices.
Software and Companion App: The Zepp Ecosystem
The Amazfit GTS 4 Mini pairs with the Zepp app (formerly known as the Amazfit app) for data syncing and device customization. The app features a clean, user-friendly interface that provides a detailed breakdown of your fitness and health data. Users can view their activity history, sleep patterns, heart rate trends, and more, all presented with clear graphs and actionable insights.
One of the strengths of the Zepp app is its ability to aggregate data from multiple sources. If you use other Amazfit devices or compatible smart home equipment, the app can serve as a central hub for your health and wellness data. This ecosystem approach enhances the overall value proposition of the GTS 4 Mini, especially for users who are invested in the Amazfit brand.
The watch face selection is another area where the Zepp app shines. With access to over 50 watch faces, users can customize the look of their GTS 4 Mini to suit their style or mood. While this selection might feel limited compared to the vast libraries available on more open platforms like Wear OS, it still offers a good degree of personalization.
It's worth noting that some users have reported occasional software quirks or glitches in the watch's firmware. These issues often manifest as inconsistencies in the always-on display feature or minor step counting discrepancies. In my testing, I encountered a few such hiccups, but they were generally resolved with a restart of the device or a software update. Amazfit has a track record of providing regular firmware updates, which bodes well for long-term improvement and stability.
Connectivity: Balancing Features and Limitations
The Amazfit GTS 4 Mini utilizes Bluetooth 5.1 for connecting to your smartphone. This recent Bluetooth standard ensures a stable and reliable connection, with easy pairing and consistent data syncing. The implementation of Bluetooth 5.1 also contributes to the watch's power efficiency, as it allows for low-energy data transmission.
However, it's important to note that the GTS 4 Mini lacks some connectivity features found in more advanced smartwatches. Most notably, it does not include built-in GPS, instead relying on connected GPS from your smartphone for location tracking during outdoor activities. While this helps conserve battery life, it means you'll need to bring your phone along for accurate route tracking during runs or bike rides.
The watch also does not support Bluetooth calling or LTE connectivity. For some users, this may be a significant limitation, especially if they're used to the convenience of answering calls directly from their wrist. However, it's worth considering whether these features are essential for your use case, as their absence contributes to the GTS 4 Mini's extended battery life and lower price point.
Another limitation to be aware of is the GTS 4 Mini's relatively limited app ecosystem. Unlike smartwatches running watchOS or Wear OS, which have access to vast libraries of third-party apps, the GTS 4 Mini is primarily limited to the features and apps provided by Amazfit. While these cover most essential functions, power users who rely on specific third-party apps may find this restrictive.
Price and Value: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse
Priced at around $75-$85 (depending on region and promotions), the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini offers an exceptionally competitive package for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts. When evaluating its value proposition, it's important to consider both its strengths and limitations in the context of its price point.
On the positive side, the GTS 4 Mini delivers excellent display quality, a comfortable and lightweight design, accurate fitness tracking for core metrics, and impressive battery life. These features alone make it a strong contender in the budget smartwatch segment. The inclusion of more advanced health monitoring features like SpO2 measurement and stress tracking further enhances its value.
The primary drawbacks of the GTS 4 Mini are its lack of built-in GPS, absence of Bluetooth calling support, and limited smartwatch features compared to higher-end models. However, these limitations need to be weighed against the device's affordable price point. For many users, the trade-off of these advanced features for extended battery life and a lower cost will be worthwhile.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Fit
After extensive testing and analysis, it's clear that the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini occupies a sweet spot in the fitness tracker market. It excels as a dedicated health and activity monitor with smartwatch-like features, all wrapped in a sleek, lightweight package that won't break the bank.
The GTS 4 Mini is an excellent choice for users who prioritize:
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
- Extended battery life
- A comfortable, barely-there design
- Affordability without sacrificing core features
However, if you're in the market for a more fully-featured smartwatch experience with advanced connectivity options, a wider range of apps, and premium materials, you may want to consider alternatives from brands like Apple, Samsung, or Garmin. These devices often come with a significantly higher price tag but offer more robust ecosystems and additional smart features.
Ultimately, the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini strikes an impressive balance between functionality and affordability. It serves as an ideal entry point for those new to the world of smartwatches and fitness trackers, as well as a solid choice for casual fitness enthusiasts who don't need all the bells and whistles of more expensive devices.
As wearable technology continues to evolve, it's encouraging to see devices like the GTS 4 Mini pushing the boundaries of what's possible at lower price points. Amazfit has delivered a compelling product that democratizes access to advanced fitness tracking features, making it easier for more people to take control of their health and wellness journey.
Whether you're taking your first steps into fitness tracking or looking for an affordable upgrade to your current device, the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini deserves serious consideration. Its combination of essential features, long battery life, and attractive pricing make it a standout option in the increasingly crowded smartwatch market.
