Huawei Watch GT2 Pro Review: Sleek Aesthetics Meet Powerful Functions

by - Saturday, January 30, 2021

The Huawei Watch GT2 Pro makes a fantastic flagship smartwatch contender because of its looks and power-packed features.

Ladies out there may think that the 46mm watch face size of the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro is a huge turn-off. However, it was love at first sight in my case. And little did I know that this will only be one of the many things I'll rave about the GT2 Pro.
  

Built and Design

At first glance, one would think that this watch is heavy because of its thick built. Thanks to its wear-resistant sapphire watch dial that's paired with a titanium frame and silicone watch strap, the GT2 Pro has a nice weight to it—similar to other luxury watches in the market.


The ceramic back and the black fluoroelastomer strap also feels good on the wrist. It glides smoothly on the skin, and never did I experience any friction between the strap and my prominent arm hair. Although, I find the watch a little thick for my liking. I was not spared from accidental bumps that made me tear every time it occurred. I'm just glad that the titanium frame didn't get any scratches.


The 1.39 inch AMOLED touchscreen also looks fantastic even from a distance. After I turned on the always-on display, this feature stood out, allowing me to see the time without making the 'raise wrist to wake screen' gesture. It's also amazing to check the time even from the watch's sides because of the AMOLED screen.


We also need to talk about the wide array of watch face designs the GT2 Pro has. (both pre-installed and available for purchase in-app) The NightWish watch face, in particular, caught my attention because it shows the actual current moon phases from my wristwatch.

Since I was feeling a little festive because Chinese New Year is around the corner, I also purchased the Blooming watch face for P19.99. This would make a nice watch face for cocktail events because of its vibrant colors that matched with the time, date, and day display.

Features

Fitness enthusiasts will feast over the 100+ workout modes available in the watch, from running to golf, name it. I personally overused the Table Tennis and Yoga modes because these are the activities I frequent during the quarantine. Workout modes can also be reordered according to one's liking. Talk about functional design!


Not only that, but the watch also provides fantastic data points to assess one's fitness activity. My favorite data provided by the watch are the Aerobic / Anaerobic Exercise effect that refers to the benefits to your body produced by aerobic / high-intensity exercise, the Recovery Time that refers to the time required for physical fitness to return to full recovery after an exercise.


One can also add a goal per workout mode, may it be time or calories, to help a user reach his/her goals. After hitting half of my calorie goal while playing table tennis, I got shocked when my watch suddenly "spoke" and notified me that I'm already halfway through my goals. This was also the same instance I learned the watch comes with a built-in speaker. 😆 It also prompts the user every 10 minutes regarding one's workout progress, which is really helpful if you're the type to check your watch from time to time for updates.


Health-wise, I want to zoom in to the Scientific Sleep Monitoring feature. This is also present in its predecessors, but it was only through the GT2 Pro that I got to appreciate this feature even better. It automatically disables your watch alarm if the watch detects that you aren't in a deep sleep. It also sends a notification to your mobile phone every morning regarding your sleep quality once you wake up.


I was also able to maximize the all-day stress tracking and breathing exercises features of the watch. I was surprised to find out how accurate the stress tracker is. I had to save the breathing exercise mode in the function button (also the down button) to have it within reach whenever I need to relax and improve my mood. 


After discovering the GT2 Pro's speaker, I knew I had to check out the music mode. The audio of this flagship watch isn't the crispiest audio there is, but it serves its purpose fitness and entertainment-wise. I can't wait to see how they improve the speaker on the next smartwatches to come.

A user can also connect his/her Huawei FreeBuds Pro or other Bluetooth devices if working out without a phone is an option. The GT2 Pro, through Huawei Health, can store and play up to 500 songs (via speakers, earphones, or via phone device).


Imagine this, you get water in your smartwatch after dipping in the pool. Fret not, you can utilize the drain feature to eject excess water by playing loud audio and prompts the user to shake the smartwatch immediately after. I personally use this feature after washing the dishes. Wiping the watch with a dry cloth afterward is a must! 

Downloadable Apps


I was also surprised that the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro has extra downloadable apps. I accidentally saw this while I was tinkering around the Huawei Health app and stumbled upon the Calculator app. I knew this will be helpful when doing quick calculations at home or while doing errands outside. 

Battery

The Huawei Watch GT2 Pro lasted me seven days while I maximize this feature on a day-to-day basis: Always-on display, morning alarm, notifications, 1x a week workout, flashlight, and timer for my coffee machine. 


Unlike the Huawei Watch Fit's charging cradle, the GT2 Pro comes with a wireless charging port that doesn't easily detach from the watch. One of my pet peeves has to recharge my device because it got interrupted by a power outage or accidental removal of the charging port or cord. On the contrary, this isn't the case with the charging port of this smartwatch.

This smartwatch also supports Huawei smartphones with reverse charging if the inevitable happens while you're outside or if you happen to forget your charging port at home.

Verdict

I've always had a penchant for big watches because of my thick arm and may have found my endgame with the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro. Just like makeup, this smartwatch can also easily transform according to a user's needs—may it be from sports to smart casual. Tons of GT 2 Pro straps and accessories are also available on e-commerce channels for people who want to customize their respective Huawei watches.


I also love how it's packed with so many features. It may look sleek on the outside, but it's capable of so many things related to fitness and wellness. Attention to detail is also prominent because of the little design nuances. Exhibit A: my alarm disables when the watch detects that I'm not in a deep sleep.

A downside that I noticed is that users with smartphones that are not Huawei will not maximize all the smartwatch features. For example, The Cycle Calendar is exclusive to Huawei smartphones only.

Another thing is that the top audio streaming platforms like Spotify aren't compatible and not in the GT2 Pro smartwatch options. I honestly do not download music anymore (unless on Spotify), so this feature will definitely come in handy in the future. 


The refresh rate of the GT2 Pro can also be better. As a flagship smartwatch, I look forward to the day that it can match the tech giant's smartphone refresh rate to provide a more smooth and more seamless experience for its viewers.

On the bright side, I didn't expect how helpful the speaker is, especially in the middle of a workout. One doesn't need to get distracted and look at the watch for progress anymore. Instead, it dictates your performance at a given time, allowing you to focus on whatever fitness activity you're currently doing. Just make sure to double-check the volume settings so as not to get startled by sudden notifications.

The battery life is also a huge plus. I can't fathom the idea of having to charge a smartwatch every 2-3 days. Being able to wear this watch almost seven days a week enables me to log more details and better assess my personal data. 

Missed my Huawei GT2 Pro Unboxing and First Impression? Play catch-up by clicking here.

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