Not just for runners – Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 review

Huawei does not provide specific details regarding sustainability, and the device is not designed to be repaired by the user.

Although the packaging is shrink-wrapped, it largely avoids the use of plastic. Only the display and the underside of the smartwatch are covered with additional protective films.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 runs on the company’s proprietary HarmonyOS 6.0 operating system. It connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth 6.0; Wi-Fi connections are supported only for data transfers.

Before pairing the smartwatch, you must install the Huawei Health app. It is used both to manage the device and to analyze the recorded health data. Due to the ongoing U.S. trade embargo, the app is not available in the Google Play Store. Alternatively, it can be downloaded using the QR code printed on the packaging or via alternative app stores such as the AppGallery (Huawei), the Galaxy Store (Samsung), or the App Mall (Xiaomi). For iPhone users, Huawei Health is also available directly in the Apple App Store. After installation, the Watch GT Runner 2 can be searched for in the app or, if necessary, paired using the QR code on the watch display.

Functional limitations remain on iOS. These include less detailed options for notifications and the inability to reply to messages directly from the watch. The Petal Maps navigation app also cannot be installed on the iPhone due to the lack of AppGallery, which means navigation via the watch is not possible. Android users are not affected by these limitations; however, the selection of apps in the AppGallery remains limited, which restricts its practical usefulness.

The built-in NFC module enables contactless payments. However, standard solutions like Google Pay or Apple Pay are not supported. Instead, Huawei now uses the Curved payment service, which works quite well in everyday use. The payments themselves, however, take a little time (2–3 seconds) to process; this is noticeably faster with Google Wear or Watch OS.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 is primarily controlled via its responsive capacitive touchscreen. In addition, there is a rotating and pressable crown on the side of the case, which can also be used to navigate within the system. The button below it opens the workout menu by default, but can be customized and distinguishes between a single and a double press. From there, for example, you can also directly start the payment process with Curved.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 features both a microphone and a speaker, allowing it to be used directly for phone calls as long as the smartwatch is connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

When paired with a Samsung smartphone, this didn’t work very well at first, as there were issues answering incoming calls. Since the last update, it works better, but still not as smoothly as on other Huawei smartwatches, since we always have to tap the speaker icon again after answering the call.

Notifications are reliably pushed on both Android and iOS and are accompanied by a gentle vibration from the linear vibration motor. In the Apple ecosystem, messages are only displayed, while on Android you can reply with emojis, quick replies, or by typing on the keyboard. However, images or videos are not displayed on the smartwatch.

As usual, the Huawei smartwatch automatically tracks a wide range of health metrics and allows for manual tracking as well. These include heart rate, pulse wave analysis, blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), stress levels or well-being, heart rate variability (HRV), and skin temperature. The latter can be used for cycle tracking. You can also manually measure arterial stiffness and create ECGs. The TruSleep sleep tracking feature is also back.

As with the Watch 5 and the Watch GT 6 Pro, the data isn’t just collected individually but analyzed in relation to one another. Health Insights provides an evaluation and, if necessary, recommendations for action. Of course, this is no substitute for a doctor.

When it comes to fitness, the Watch GT Runner 2, as the name suggests, clearly focuses on running. In addition to the usual running modes, a new marathon mode has been implemented, and suitable training plans can be found in the Health app. These are not tied to the Health+ subscription but remain free for runners.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 supports over 100 different sports and tailors the recorded data to each specific activity. The smartwatch automatically recognizes certain types of workouts, such as running, walking, rowing, or using an elliptical trainer. In testing, however, it takes a very long time for the automatic workout recognition to kick in, and it only starts recording from the moment the workout begins.

For daily activity tracking, Huawei offers two different approaches: first, the classic three-ring system with goals for calorie burn, active time, and workout duration; second, the so-called Health Cloverleaf, which categorizes health data into areas such as sleep, steps, and mood.

The Huawei Health app also features comprehensive trend analyses that provide information on step counts, calorie burn, resting heart rate, and sleep patterns, among other metrics.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 uses an unspecified TruSense sensor that measures vital signs optically. We compared its readings with those of reference devices.

We measured heart rate during a bike ride, comparing the Huawei Watch with a Polar H10 chest strap. While resting heart rate readings are identical, the values show more variation during exercise; on average, this is only four beats, and six beats at peak heart rate. The Watch GT Runner 2 consistently provides the lower values.

A Braun Pulse Oximeter 1 is used as a reference to measure blood oxygen saturation; both devices provide identical readings.

When it comes to sleep tracking, the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 doesn’t offer any major new features. The smartwatch detects various sleep stages, including deep, light, and REM sleep, as well as periods of wakefulness. It also tracks breathing rate, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate variability (HRV). When paired with a smartphone, it can also record snoring, talking in your sleep, or ambient noise.

The sleep analysis is very detailed and includes practical tips for improving sleep quality. Additionally, Huawei offers soundscapes designed to help you fall asleep. Users with a Health+ subscription receive advanced analysis features.

Last night’s results can be viewed directly on the watch, while longer-term analyses are available in the Huawei Health app. Overall, the measurement results appear reliable. While the Watch GT Runner 2 doesn’t offer a smart alarm, you can set custom wake-up times.

Thanks to its new 3D floating antenna and dual-band connectivity for all satellite systems, the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 aims to deliver exceptional accuracy. It also supports offline maps.

In a GNSS comparison with the Garmin Venu 2, the Huawei smartwatch delivers good results and tracks the route more accurately, especially between buildings. However, it isn’t flawless either, occasionally placing us quite a distance off the route while we were at the lake.

Huawei has equipped the Watch GT Runner 2 with a 540 mAh battery, which is designed to provide up to 14 days of battery life. GNSS tracking is reportedly possible for up to 32 hours continuously.

In everyday use, with all automatic background measurements, notifications, sleep tracking, and occasional phone calls, we achieved a battery life of around ten days. That’s still a very good figure.

The smartwatch charges on the included charging pad. While Huawei refers to this as fast charging, a full charge took just under an hour in our test. An Apple Watch is faster, but it also has a smaller battery.