Huawei delivered a dedicated watch built from the ground up for runners at its “Now is Your Run” product launch event. Watch GT Runner 2 arrives as the sequel to 2021’s Watch GT Runner and promises top-notch positioning as well as marathon-specific training and health insights.
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2
Watch GT Runner 2 features a 1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a 43.5mm casing. The display is rated at 3,000 nits peak local brightness and is protected by second-generation Kunlun Glass. Huawei is not skimping out on the materials, with the GT Runner 2 featuring a titanium casing and metal bezel. The watch weighs 43.5 grams and is 10.7mm thick while boasting water resistance up to 40m depths.
Watch GT Runner 2 was co-created with marathon legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge and the DSM-Firmenich Running Team. As you can expect, positioning accuracy plays a key role for professional runners and Huawei developed a new 3D floating antenna for the GT Runner 2.
It features an optimized antenna gasket design, which, according to Huawei, offers significant GPS accuracy even in more challenging environments like tunnels or shaded areas. Huawei claims the GT Runner 2 offers 3.5x better antenna performance compared to its predecessor.
The updated antenna is paired with a new inertial positioning algorithm, which leverages the accelerometer and gyroscope to deliver more accurate route tracking even in covered areas like tunnels and underpasses. GT Runner 2 offers dual-band satellite positioning with independent navigation capabilities, so you can track workouts and receive guidance without needing a paired smartphone.
Elsewhere, Watch GT Runner 2 gets Huawei’s latest TruSense sensor and algorithm suite, which tracks vitals like heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, ECG, respiratory rate, sleep and stress.
There’s an Intelligent Marathon Mode which helps athletes by offering guidance while also tracking performance features like running power measurement, dynamic pace guidance and smart refuel reminders. This is also Huawei’s first watch with a real-time lactate threshold (aka anaerobic threshold) detection algorithm, which is a key metric that determines fatigue buildup.
Watch GT Runner 2 is compatible with both iOS and Android. It features a 540mAh Si-C battery rated at up to 14 days with light usage and 32 hours with continuous GPS use. You get an onboard speaker for hands-free calls as well as an NFC antenna for mobile payments. Huawei confirmed that Curve Pay will be available on the Watch GT Runner 2 in the UK starting today.
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 color options
Watch GT Runner 2 comes in Dawn Orange, Dusk Blue, and Midnight Black colors and will retail for £350. Open sales start today, and the official Huawei Store is hosting a limited offer until April 19, where early buyers get a £30 off coupon and an additional watch strap for free.