Huawei’s Vrables are more important to its business than ever before as it continues to build an ecosystem of connected, non-smartphone products due to restrictions issued by the US government. Its latest is the Watch GT2 Pro, which followed the variants of the Watch GT2 launched this time last year.
Why do I say “types?” This is why it is not called the Watch GT3, and it is because it is technically similar to the GT2. In addition, Pro Moniker describes upgrades in materials rather than technology. This means that it still focuses on health tracking on deep smartwatch functionality, and uses its long battery life to appeal to the technology front. Like to wear one here for a few days.
The design
Huawei Watch GT2 Pro uses the right content. The body is made of lightweight yet strong titanium, the screen is covered by sapphire crystals, and the case back is ceramic. These are often taken as a mark of quality in the world of watches, and here they prevent the Watch GT2 Pro from looking cheap or as a toy.
Sapphire crystal has a different, more attractive sheen than glass, and on the Watch GT2 Pro, it portrays the OLED screen very well. But it is the ceramic back that is the real winner here. The cool-to-the-touch finish makes the plastic-backed watch a lot more comfortable to wear than the GT2, and even though it is only 5 grams lighter than the older model, it is more enjoyable to wear for longer is.
It has gained some bulk, and is several millimeters thicker than before. The 46mm case looks bigger due to the shroud, all-in-one lag design and the massive flat sapphire crystal. The amazing curve on the glass of the Watch GT2 is missed here, and the simple markings on the bezel do not have the same visual impact as the Chronograph marking of the GT2.
There are two buttons on the side of the case, and they have a subtle exterior texture, but an inexpensive motion and an off-audible “click” when pressed. A soft, stitched leather strap is fixed to my review model, but you can swap it in a silicone version, which is also included in the box thoughtfully. The gunmetal gray titanium body goes really well with the black silicon strap, greatly enhancing its cool factor.
Huawei’s decision to use premium content for the Watch GT2 Pro is wise. It is going to be more durable and look better over a longer period of time. However, the design itself is not as beautiful as the Watch GT2 or Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3, and I don’t think my gaze is drawn to it often, mostly because it doesn’t have much flare. Covered lugs give it a haven-a-single-block-look that lacks character, and is important that we wear all the time.
It is still looking good, and does not look out of place any you are wearing. Initially, I was not hot for the Watch GT2 Pro, like I really should with a watch, but I felt differently when I put the black strap on. This gave the whole thing a more heft and stylish atmosphere, which I think suits it more than a traditional leather strap.
Display and software
The Watch GT2 Pro uses the same Kirin A1 processor as the Watch GT2, and is a moderate performer. The low-energy chip return is meant to extend the Watch GT2 Pro’s battery life rather than blistering speed, so the software developed by Huawei is often slow when you wake up the Watch. Once the clock is going, this slight panic disappears.
I have used the Watch GT2 Pro connected to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This requires the Huawei Health App, which is also available for iOS. The connection is simple and worked without a hitch, plus it was reliable, with a quick reconnect without any signal. The app is excellent for processing and displaying fitness data, to show the routes received by GPS on the watch while running and running.
On that subject, the watch GT2 Pro has a speaker, and voice guidance is automatically activated when you start a workout. “Start a workout,” it screams obnoxiously, but it gets a lot worse. When you reach a milestone, an exceptionally disturbing sound suddenly gives a great overview of your time, distance, average speed, and heart rate. The embarrassing factor cannot be overstated when it struggles to find the mute button.
This awesome feature aside, workout tracking on the watch GT2 Pro is good. There are 100 different workout modes including the new skiing and golf driving range modes, plus a route back feature to help you return to the starting point even if the GPS signal is lost. It also shows sunrise and sunset information, weather information and the phase and tidal time of the moon. I would like to show a little more health data on the watch rather than forcing the app.
Workout mode is accessed using the lower button on the case, but in-workout controls are somewhat confusing. Although it is natural to long press or swipe across the screen to access the controls to prevent workouts, here you have to press the upper button on the case, which is the back or menu button elsewhere in the system. Is not very comfortable.
Notifications are presented in a long list accessed with swiping screens, but cannot be negotiated with anyone. Tapping the card simply shows the same information on a slightly larger canvas. Notifications are accompanied by vibration, but even at its maximum setting it is not very strong.
The preinstalled watch faces vary from the usual to the bizarre, with the black tie version coming out on top, and the very odd kind of Tiger one that is reserved for the Carol Baskin wannabies. Inside the Huawei Health app, there are more faces to download, and the selection includes many seen on the GT2. The GT2 Pro is not always activated as an on-screen standard, but it is helpful and better at seeing black screens. I wish there was a tap-to-wake feature, as the ris-to-wake feature is not very responsive, and I often had to press a button to wake up the screen.
Battery and other features
Huawei says that the battery of the Watch GT2 Pro will last about 14 days before recharging, or about 30 hours of continuous work with GPS. I have been wearing my watch for three days, and with moderate usage the battery is reduced to 70% and with the screen always active, it would be possible to suggest 10 days. The wireless charging plinth has a rapid charge feature that increases the battery for 10 hours of use in just five minutes.
The heart rate sensor has been improved with new LEDs and better materials so that it returns more accurate readings. It works 24 hours for tracking during workouts and sleep. It has Huawei’s TruSleep system onboard, which has proven effective in the past, but I have not yet tested it on the Watch GT2. There is also an automatic stress test that operates in the background, as well as SpO2 levels during workouts, making the Watch GT2 Pro a comprehensive health wearable.
It can be used on its own while exercising due to the GPS and Bluetooth connection for wireless headphones. There is 2GB of storage space on the watch ready for your music collection, but it will take some time to transfer a playlist that is done using Bluetooth. There is no stand-alone support for streaming music apps like Spotify when you’re out and about, but the on-watch music control works when it’s playing from your phone.
The conclusion
The Watch GT2 Pro is a weird one. On the one hand, it does everything you need a health-focused smartwatch with the added benefit of decent battery life, and it is made from some excellent materials to look and feel on your wrist is. On the other hand, it’s not really that different from the Watch GT2, aside from those materials and some other workout plans on the one hand, and that makes it harder to get that enthusiasm. It is also not a complete smartwatch, and the features associated with it are basic, meaning it faces some tough competition.
Huawei has two versions of the GT2 Pro, but the differences between them are not clear at the moment. The Sport is priced at 329 Euros. Or about $ 390, and the classic 349 euros, or about $ 415. This is a significant jump from the GT2, which came in at 220 British pounds, or around US $ 285. It puts the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 in the arena, and it struggles to compete in that company.
That said, the look GT2 Pro occupies an interesting place in the world of smartwatches. It’s not a hybrid like the Withings ScanWatch, and it’s not really a full-fledged smartwatch like the Apple Watch – it’s in-between, like the G-Shock’s connected watch is between a traditional watch and a hybrid. A watch never suits everyone, so the choice in a smartwatch is not only sensible, but very welcome.
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