Review and features of Huawei Watch 2 sport
Not so long ago, Huawei presented its 2nd generation smartwatches, which have acquired new features and received an updated design. The Huawei Watch 2 review showed that it now looks more sporty, has LTE support, Android Wear 2 versions and a wear-resistant ceramic bezel. I tested Huawei smartwatches and am ready to share my opinion about their functionality, design, technical characteristics, battery life and other important points.
Characteristics:
- Screen: AMOLED, 1.2″, 390×390, 326 ppi
- Processor: quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100, 1.1 GHz
- Graphics accelerator: Adreno 304
- Operating system: Android Wear 2.0
- RAM: 768 MB
- Built-in memory: 4 GB
- Memory card support: no
- Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 BLE + BR / EDR, NFC
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
- No camera
- Sensors: accelerometer, microgyroscope, barometer, heart rate monitor
- Battery: 420 mAh, non-removable
- Dimensions: 48.9x45x12.6
- Weight: 40 grams
Huawei Watch 2 design
The first generation of watches was distinguished by premium manufacturing materials, of which metal was chosen. This solution looked premium and very attractive, but when developing the second generation, it was decided to change the approach. Now the emphasis is not on the premium quality of the product, but on the strength of its design. In this regard, the design has become more sporty.
By the way, now the case is assembled from high-quality plastic, which is why the watch no longer looks so attractive. Huawei Watch 2 classic review showed that although the model cannot be called a work of art, the design is thought out from the point of view of ergonomics and functionality. The focus is on sports and health, and the design of the device hints that it can withstand harsh conditions of use and will not let you down in the middle of a workout.
The included strap is very comfortable and looks stylish, but if desired, it can be replaced with any other. For this purpose, the design contains convenient latches, due to which it is possible to quickly replace the strap.
The Huawei Watch 2 sport review showed that classic 20mm grips are used here, and accordingly the choice of straps will be limited to specialized straps from Huawei. Smart watches have become more comfortable to sit on the hand when compared with the previous generation. At the same time, the dimensions of their body have increased - 48.9 x 45 x 12.6 mm. But even despite the fact that the case turned out to be quite large, the model turned out to be light - only 57 grams. The back panel is completely flat, so it does not rub the skin and does not cause any discomfort. It contains a sensor that detects your heart rate. It is made flush with the lid.
A review of the Huawei Watch 2 introduces the location of the keys. There are two buttons on the right side, one is located at the 2 o’clock position and is used to launch programs and return to the home screen. The other is located at the 4-hour mark and is programmable, so you can set any functionality to it. For example, set it to launch the application you use most often.
As standard, when you click on it, the training mode is activated, but you can assign any other application, for example Android Pay for fast contactless payments.
It's disappointing that the new model does not have a rotating crown, which Android Wear 2.0 is designed for. This would make the watch even more comfortable to use. But Huawei is not the only brand that has decided to abandon rotating elements in the design. This also includes the latest smartwatches from LG, Tag Heuer and many other brands. A review of the Huawei Watch 2 showed that there are two versions of the device on sale - Sport and Classic. The latest version costs more and weighs more.
Design
I don’t know why many reviewers tried to call the Huawei Watch 2 too sporty, but in my opinion, it looks more logical and understandable than its predecessor.
The first generation of Huawei smartwatches flirted too much with the design of real watches. This shiny metal and streamlined shape only added to the clumsiness of the device, and did not make it look like the classic “cauldrons”.
I like that Huawei Watch 2 decided to abandon this nonsense, making the new watch look like the sports gadget that it is. After all, a classic watch does not need all these sensors and indicators; they are worn just like that, for the sake of image or status, as an accessory.
At the same time, Huawei Watch 2, although it looks aggressive, does not go too far. No bad red inserts or other similar solutions (hello, Gear Fit2 Pro). Just a smart watch with a focus on active people. Not everyone will like this design for everyday wear, but in black the Huawei Watch 2 Sport will be much more discreet than some Gear Sport with a blue strap.
The body of Huawei Watch 2 Sport is made of plastic. An engraved aluminum bezel frames the screen. The lower part, where the sensors are installed, is covered with a metal plate.
The control elements are two buttons on the right side. The top button is responsible for turning on the screen and calling up settings, and the bottom button turns on the training mode by default. The bottom button can be reconfigured for any action.
The straps are made of dense silicone with texture. The quality of the included straps is not bad, but the watch can chafe the wrist when worn for a long time, especially if the user has delicate skin.
The straps of Huawei Watch 2 are removable; in theory, they can be replaced with any other universal straps with the same width. A slot for NanoSIM is hidden under the fastening of one of the straps.
Huawei Watch 2 display
The smartwatch uses a 1.2-inch round AMOLED screen with a resolution of 390×390. The result is a pixel density of 326 per inch. The Huawei Watch 2 4g review showed that this is more than enough for a smartwatch, making it convenient to use for receiving notifications, changing watch faces and many other functions.
The display brightness can be set manually, but there is the possibility of automatic adjustment, which is more convenient. The reserve is enough for comfortable work with the watch even on a bright sunny day. There is an Always On Display function, typical for AMOLED panels. With its help, notifications are displayed on the locked screen with minimal battery consumption. Multi-touch supports up to two simultaneous taps, and wide viewing angles make any watch face look great.
Clock display
The Huawei Watch GT 2 screen has a diagonal of 1.39 inches with a resolution of 454×454 pixels and is made using AMOLED technology. In terms of parameters, it is no different from the previous version. As in the first model, the display has very good contrast, viewing angles and color saturation. There are no problems with readability either; the displayed information, as well as the dials, look attractive in any lighting conditions.
Initially, the only option offered by the Watch GT, other than automatic or manual brightness adjustment, was to illuminate the watch face continuously for 5 minutes. Over time, updates added the ability to adjust the backlight time after turning the wrist from automatic to 10, 15 or 20 seconds. You can also change the duration of the continuous backlight, which activates on demand, from the default 5 minutes to 10, 15 or 20 minutes.
There is also a new watch face option in standby mode, which displays a simplified clock with narrow lines on a black background, using selectively illuminated pixels from the AMOLED matrix. This is the equivalent of the Always On feature on a smartphone, but the message warns that the smartwatch's operating time will be cut in half. All these options were absent on the first Watch GT and appeared only in updates; in GT 2 they are available from the very beginning.
Huawei Watch 2 interface
A review of the Huawei Watch 2 sport 4g smartwatch showed that they were among the first to receive the Android Wear 2.0 shell. The application menu opens when you press the top physical key, which is a little unusual. Swiping sideways on the display switches dials, of which there are a huge number, and most of them can be customized. So, they can display additional information - world time, weather, quick launch of some applications and much more.
By swiping down the screen, you can open the curtain, which contains quick switches. These include offline mode, sound control, do not disturb mode, settings, and also force the display to turn off. The date, battery charge and network status are also displayed. To access notifications from your smartphone, you need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Notifications are displayed in a general list for quick and easy viewing. When you click on any of them, more detailed information is displayed, which allows you to read the entire correspondence and respond to your interlocutor directly from the watch. There are three options available for replying to a message—pre-prepared quick reply templates, voice input, or the on-screen keyboard. The keyboard keys, although small, are quite comfortable to use. To do this, there is a swipe input option, which works perfectly.
Huawei Watch 2 sport lte review showed that these are not all the features of the device. The Always On option deserves special mention. It involves turning off the display after a certain time of inactivity, but it does not turn off completely, but is switched to an economical mode, in which the minimum brightness is set and only the most important information is displayed - a dial without unnecessary graphic elements. Each watch face has its own special version of Always On.
The review of the Huawei Watch 2 smartwatch showed that, among other features, there is Google Assistant, which works in Russian. To access the assistant, you need to say the key phrase “Ok, Google” or hold down the top physical key. This greatly simplifies working with the device, because you can use voice commands like “write SMS”, “wake me up at 07:00 am” and the like. The assistant's capabilities are very great and they continue to improve.
To ensure that only its owner can use the watch, a screen lock function is available. Using sensors, the system determines when the smart watch is on your hand and if you unlocked it and then did not remove it, then it will no longer ask for a password for authorization, because it is logical that no one else will have access to it at that moment. But as soon as you remove them from your hand, they are set to lock, which is very comfortable.
Ergonomics and performance
The average male finger consistently “smashes” simultaneously on three letters of the keyboard, which barely fits in a circle with a diameter of just over 3 cm. A full-fledged training of fine motor skills.
To solve the problem, voice typing and recognition of capital letters drawn with a finger on the screen are provided. The last option works more or less tolerably, but slowly. After repeated attempts to imitate communication with myself through test messages, I experienced a slight ergonomic shock. The waste of a lot of time on trivial operations, which seemed funny at the beginning, gradually began to irritate. And this is assuming that I have not yet had time to get on the treadmill and sweat.
It is also worth mentioning the thoughtfulness of the processor. Pre-installed applications work fine. But the programs chosen to your taste are already noticeably slowing down. Any smartphone of a similar price group will work an order of magnitude faster.
How does Huawei Watch 2 synchronize with your phone?
The Huawei Watch 2 classic smart watch review showed that it can be used in conjunction with a smartphone running Android older than version 4.3, as well as iOS from 8.2. To synchronize your phone and watch, you use the Android Wear app, which is very easy to set up. To do this, you must provide all the necessary permissions and follow the further instructions on the screen. Using it, you can install new applications and watch faces on your watch, and you can also configure notifications for which of them will be displayed on the watch screen. In the settings menu, you can make sure that all messages and calls are displayed on the smartwatch, but not displayed on the phone.
Specifications of the Huawei Watch 2 smartwatch
Huawei Watch 2 leo bx9 review showed that the watch uses Snapdragon 2100 with a frequency of up to 1.1 GHz as a processor. The overall picture is completed by 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal memory. With such characteristics, the shell simply flies; only in rare cases does the device think for a split second.
Smart watch Huawei Watch 2 sport review makes it clear that if necessary, it will be an excellent assistant in sports. Fitness functions are presented quite widely - there is a pedometer that accurately performs its assigned function. There is also a heart rate sensor that detects your heart rate at rest and during intense workouts. Of course, there is an error that is not comparable with professional devices, but for most users this will be enough.
Wireless interfaces Huawei Watch 2
Pairing with the phone is done using Bluetooth 4.1 LE. The prefix “LE” means more economical battery consumption. In addition, Huawei Watch 2 sport 4g has Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n on board, which will be useful for Internet browsing from the watch when there is no possibility or desire to connect from the phone. If you can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network yet, you can always install a SIM card in your watch. They can operate in LTE frequencies, which guarantees high data transfer speeds.
You can also consider Huawei Watch 2 as an independent device, because it has a voice recorder and a speaker on its body, which allows you to receive calls and communicate with the subscriber directly from the watch. It's even better to use good headphones with a microphone for this. But you need to take into account that in active SIM mode, autonomy is reduced by approximately 30%. Huawei Watch 2 has an NFC chip, which makes it possible to use it for contactless payments.
GPS and GLONASS resources are available for terrain navigation. This way you can get directions using Google Maps on your watch, which is very convenient. During testing, the navigation performed very well - it works stably, and the body accurately determines the direction of movement. But when working with GPS, autonomy drops significantly.
Autonomy of Huawei Watch 2
The Huawei Watch 2 4g review shows that a battery with a capacity of 420 mAh was installed in the compact case. But the battery life results are not impressive - with constant synchronization with a smartphone, you can only count on 1.5 days of use. By the evening of the first day, no more than 40% of the charge remains. If you actively monitor your heart rate or use GPS, the watch will last no longer than 10 hours. Fortunately, it takes an hour to fully charge using the included magnetic connector. If necessary, the watch can always be recharged during the day before leaving home. But autonomy can’t exactly be called a strong point.
You can use Huawei Watch 2 for a week without recharging; the maximum battery saving mode in the settings is designed for this. But in this case, the functionality of the system will be severely limited. All that remains is to display the time and count the number of steps.
Nutrition
Battery
The mini-computer's power source is a non-removable 420 mAh battery. It contains a Li-Ion technology element, which provides good capacity with minimal dimensions. In addition, lithium-ion is reliable and does not require special care. Today, this technology is the most popular in portable electronics, although it is already being promoted by lithium polymer.
The more energy the battery can store, the longer the device will work. True, there is a direct dependence on the load: the more we load and use it, the faster the battery will run out. And when choosing, it is better to look not at microamps, but at the indicated maximum battery operating time. Huawei Watch 2 (2018) works for 48 hours in active mode on a single charge. The owners of the gadget tested the indicator: if you look at the time, occasionally checking incoming notifications on your smart phone, then you definitely have two days of work. If you turn on the heart rate monitor and GPS and go for a run, the battery will drain by 25%. 10% disappears overnight.
Charger
The gadget's charger is a proprietary cradle - a stand with a connector connected to an electrical outlet. The smart watch is securely attached to the cradle. It costs more than a USB cable, but it looks more decent. The developers assure that the battery charges in 100 minutes. A check-test by specialists confirms the presence of fast charging: in 30 minutes - 55%, 45 - 80%, 60 - 94%. Naturally, you need to use only original wires and blocks.
Overall, the Watch 2 delivers decent results: two full days of everyday use, four hours of training, and charging in one hour. The inconvenience manifests itself on trips where there is no way to plug into the power grid.
Conclusion
The Huawei Watch 2 smart watch is a universal model that will be convenient for most users. It has a nice design and a durable body that can withstand a shock or fall. I was especially pleased with the functionality; there is GPS, the ability to use mobile Internet from any operator’s card, and the new Android Wear 2.0 shell. Despite its enormous functionality, the watch has only one drawback - it will have to be constantly charged, its autonomy is very poor.
Advantages:
- Stylish and durable housing, protected from moisture and dust;
- New Android Wear 2.0 shell;
- Possibility to install a SIM card and support for LTE frequencies;
- Convenient body;
- Can be used as a standalone device without pairing with a smartphone.
Flaws:
- Autonomy.
Design and appearance
The design of the Huawei Watch GT 2 is similar to the first version - a steel case with two buttons and a plastic bottom. The location of the sensors on the bottom and charging contacts remains unchanged. Thanks to this, the charger designed for the first version is compatible with the new device.
However, the new version has noticeable differences. First of all, the box contained two sets of straps - silicone and leather. I must admit that the leather strap gives the watch a completely different, more elegant character. The second change is the crown, which was previously metal and protruded above the surface of the screen. In the new model we have a ground edge of the glass display that the crown does not interfere with.
On the one hand, the new model looks more modern, thinner and does not cling to sleeves so easily. On the other hand, the screen is no longer protected by a metal rim, and every press on the top of the watch means hitting the glass. The size of the reviewed and larger 46mm version of the Watch GT 2 is 45.9 x 45.9 x 10.7 mm. It is suitable for wrists from 14 to 21 cm. The weight of the device is 41 grams. There is also a second model, which I did not have the opportunity to test with a case diameter of 42 mm, in which the frame is much narrower and the screen almost reaches the edge.
The watch is water resistant to 5 ATM, that is, immersion up to 50 m. This is the same waterproof standard as the older model. It is worth noting that the new version has a speaker and microphone, which the previous one did not have. However, this did not reduce water resistance. The charging station is also fixed here using magnets. The connector for connecting the charger is USB C.
Where can I buy?
You can buy watches at a profit using the following links:
Aliexpress
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