The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 is a terrific specialist running tool, fast and accurate but it's hobbled by Huawei's usual side-loading ecosystem problems

Date:
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 is accurate even compared to watches that cost around triple its price.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Huawei Watch GT Runner 2: One minute review The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 is full of innovative tweaks, making it ideal for running accuracy, and from a design perspective, its the best running watch Ive tried so far in 2026. Because US customers cant actually buy them, Huawei devices often go under the radar in many lists, which is a shame, as their hardware is stellar. The GT Runner 2
is another smash hit. Its light, at 10.7mm thick and just 34.5g in weight, packing a smallish 1.32-inch screen with a 3,000 nit brightness AMOLED display. Thats as bright as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 . It fits nicely on my average-sized male wrist and doesnt move about during runs. It comes in a selection of pretty cool colors and bands. I was partial to the Dawn Orange colorway, but my review unit arrived in Dusk Blue, which also looks nice. The GPS credentials are where things get interesting. Huawei claims the GT Runner 2 outperforms the Garmin Forerunner 970 (by name) in GPS accuracy for
runners, using a new dual-floating GPS antenna structure to improve accuracy. I didnt have a Garmin Forerunner 970 to hand, but I did have something even better: the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro , perhaps Garmins best-ever smartwatch from a hardware perspective, and one that costs three times as much as the GT Runner 2.

On a 10.5 kilometer out-and-back run, the Fenix 8 Pro recorded 10.51km, with 797 calories burned, an average heart rate of 157 bpm, 5.39km average pace. The Huawei GT Runner 2 recorded 10.48km, a difference of 0.03km (or 30
meters) overall, with 785 calories burned, an average heart rate of 167 bpm, and 5.39km average pace. Those are very close results.

Even advanced running metrics were similar, with stride length being recorded as 1.10 meters by both watches. With very little in the way of statistically significant differences, Im happy that the GT Runner 2 is as accurate as the very top-tier watches in the category. Id expect nothing less from a watch used by record-breaking marathoner Eliud Kipchoge. You can see the results on the screens below. On the left is Garmin Connect. On the right are two screenshots from Huawei Health, showing the differences in recording the same workout. (Image credit: Future) Other wellness metrics are good, too: Ive hyped up Huaweis TruSense and TruSleep algorithms before as being scarily accurate , and its good to see the watch making use of both here. The
accuracy of its sleep tracking and the watch's reduced weight made it easy to wear overnight. Marathon Mode, a little like Garmins Event Planner with an intelligent coach, and training plans abound on-watch, allowing you to follow programs imported from the Huawei Health app. Battery life is impressive, while features like Emotional Wellbeing that rely on self-reporting, I consider less useful.

A resounding success for design, performance, and health and fitness
features, but smart stuff is more of a mixed bag, albeit through no fault of the watchs designers. Huaweis inability to work with either Google or
Androids ecosystem left my watch as a self-contained wellness tool rather
than an integrated smart gadget in the same way the best Android watches, or best Apple Watches, are. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
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Huawei says the watch runs seamlessly with iOS and Android, but thats not entirely true. I could see WhatsApp notifications as part of Huaweis Message Tool, but everything has to be side-loaded from Huaweis online AppGallery, so I couldnt get a native WhatsApp watch app, only notifications. Theres no first-party app for Spotify either, so I had to download Petal Maps on my phone to use instead of Google or Apple Maps. As an extension of my phone, this experience is still frustrating and far from reflective of its excellent wellness credentials. Huawei Watch GT Runner 2: Specifications Swipe to
scroll horizontally

Component

Huawei Watch GT Runner 2

Price

349.99 (around $470 / AU$650)

Dimensions

10.7mm x 43.5mm x 43.5mm

Weight

34g

Caze/Bezel

Titanium Alloy

Display

AMOLED, 3,000 nits

GPS

Dual-band GPS, QZSS, GLONASS, Galileo

Battery life

Up to 14 days

Connection

Bluetooth

Water resistance

IP69, 5ATM Huawei Watch GT Runner 2: Price and availability (Image credit: Amanda Westberg) 349.99 in the UK / Europe Not available in US / AU Cheaper than most modern Forerunner watches Huaweis availability is a far greater issue than its price. Huawei telecomms devices continue to suffer from the ongoing 5G ban, which is a shame for US runners as theyre missing out on some very good hardware. For UK users, the price is pretty reasonable at 349.99, around the same price as the Apple Watch Series 11. Value score: 4/5 Huawei Watch GT Runner 2: Scorecard (Image credit: Amanda Westberg) Swipe to scroll horizontally

Category

Comment

Score

Value

Well-priced, but not available everywhere.

4/5

Design

Comfortable, light and easy to use.

4.5/5

Features

Outstanding health and fitness features, but compatibility issues cause frustrations.

4/5

Performance

As good as it gets, closely matching a watch costing thrice as much.

5/5 Huawei Watch GT Runner 2: Should I buy? Buy it if... Youre a keen runner

The GT Runner 2 is tailor-made for people who care about their fitness. You care about pinpoint GPS accuracy

The GT Runner 2s dual-antenna architecture allows it to closely match the
best in the game. Don't buy it if... You live outside of Europe and Asia

Huaweis limitations means that the GT Runner 2 isnt available everywhere. You like true smartphone integration

If you live in your seamless Google and Apple suite, youre better off getting an Android or Apple Watch. Also consider Coros Pace 4

Another similarly-priced wearable that's a running watch first, smartwatch distant second.

Read our full Coros Pace 4 review Coros Pace 4

Another similarly-priced wearable that's a running watch first, smartwatch distant second.

Read our full Coros Pace 4 review Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro

A rugged, powerful smartwatch with stellar tracking and battery life, that's half the price of the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Read our full Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro review How I tested I wore the Huawei
Watch GT Runner 2 for a week, taking it on several runs as well as gym sessions, sleeping with it, and draining the battery down. I tested it on a 10.5 km run against the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro to determine accuracy in its metrics. First reviewed: April 2026



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/fitness-trackers/huawei-watch-gt-runn er-2-review


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