Review: Huawei Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic

After more than two years, Huawei Device is relaunching its smartwatch. This time the watch is available in a sporty design as Watch 2 and with noble materials as Watch 2 Classic. We have been wearing the intelligent wristwatch for a few days now. Why we find the starting RRP of 329 euros for too much, you can read that and more in this Review report from TechStage.

Huawei Watch 2: design and workmanship

It is quite difficult to accept a product if the quality in the first generation was significantly better and higher than it is now. This is exactly the case with the Watch 2, which looks similar to a Baby-G from Casio, but doesn't feel that great in the least. The included tape in our version, called Carbon Black, could have been produced somewhere else for 20 cents. And the entire construct could come from a chewing gum machine for two euros. Fortunately, the hardware balances a lot, more on that in the following.

"Are not all sporty watches like this?" Asks a work colleague when asked about his opinion. Sure: Smartwatches with a sports approach must of course not be equipped with a leather strap. But does the cheapest plastic really have to be used? Compared to the bracelets from Apple, Fitbit or Garmin, the component from Huawei feels a bit shabby. The tape attached is rigid and hard. The haptic perception is anything but positive. The same applies to the charging cradle, which not only looks incredibly poor, but also conveys the feeling. Only the least was implemented here without paying attention to the emotional importance of a wristwatch. The presumption is confirmed, among other things, by the fact that the device is always in the color white, whereas the watch comes in black. Great mixed look!

Fortunately, the straps can be exchanged, because the actual smartwatch unit is more valuable than the rest: metal and high-quality plastic elements, waterproof housing with IP68 certification and pleasantly pressable and audible buttons on the right side. The bracelets have a width of 20 millimeters and are suitable for hand circumferences from 140 to 210 mm.

Huawei Watch 2: equipment

Huawei's Watch 2 has everything that an Android Wear smartwatch should currently have: energy-efficient processor, 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of memory for filling data such as music. In contrast to other clocks, the RAM is 256 MB larger, which means that several applications can be stored in the buffer at the same time. The Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor is also fast and ensures smooth everyday use.

In addition to Bluetooth 4.1 and NFC, there are also optional models with 4G. Regardless of this, calls in all versions are possible – both independently and as a forwarded call via smartphone. The call quality is not as good and clear as with a wireless headset. For short phone calls, if your hands are not free, it is enough. The watch also has WLAN 802.11 bgn and, if desired, connects wirelessly to a network set on the smartphone. Among other things, data can be exchanged with Google and Co.

The heart rate monitoring on the bottom of the watch works after an interval and provides fairly precise values. A measurement started in parallel with other devices rarely showed large deviations. The data can be displayed both on the bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display and on the smart health connected smartphone. We found the integrated GPS a little too slow. On average, it takes 25 seconds for a localization to be prepared. In addition, position determination is inaccurate by a few meters.

Huawei has installed a battery with a nominal charge of 420 mAh in the 40 gram Watch 2. With a disconnected smartphone, the watch lasted around six days. With the BlackBerry KEYone from TCL Communications used in the Review, we got 2 to 2.5 days. This is impressive since the current standard is around one day. The smartwatch is charged in less than an hour and 30 minutes using the included cradle system with four contact pins. We would prefer wireless charging.

Huawei Watch 2: Variants

black

Gray

4G black

4G orange

Classic

Huawei Watch 2: technical data

Huawei Watch 2: software

Android is installed on the Watch 2 as the operating system. It is the latest version of Android Wear OS. You won't find Huawei's own interface, since Google prohibits manufacturers from customizing it. That's a good thing, because the look and feel of Android-based watches should be uniform.

The menu navigation is simple and intuitive. If you press the upper physical buttons on the edge, a semicircle with all available apps starts. In another system context, the button is also used to call up Google Assistant, the universal assistant that responds excellently to speech and provides answers to questions such as "How many kilometers are 300 miles?".

Summary: buy Huawei Watch 2?

Huawei's Watch 2 is not a bad smartwatch; it is up to date and fast due to its hardware. We also like the particularly good battery life. Compared to the model from 2015, the display has become smaller, but it is not tragic. The resolution and brightness are still satisfactory.

We have the biggest problem with the processing and the price point of 329 euros. For the optionally available 4G variant, you pay 50 euros on top. Alternative smartwatches with similar features are less than 250 euros. If you can make compromises here or there, for example the inaccurate GPS, you should rather use a Moto 360 2nd generation or consider the first generation Huawei Watch.

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