Huawei launches Watch GT 2 smartwatch
Friday, September 20, 2019 at 9:23PM
Nicole Batac in First Looks, Huawei, Huawei Watch GT 2, Mobile, News, Press release, Product launch, Smartwatch, Wearables, accessories

Huawei also unveiled a fitness-focused smartwatch in the Watch GT 2. Just like the new Mate 30 phones, the Watch GT 2 ships with Huawei's LiteOS instead of Google's Wear OS. Both run on Kirin A1 chipset with Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, as well as optical heart rate sensors and others you would need for fitness tracking and stress monitoring. 

This smartwatch comes in two sizes: 46mm and 42mm. The former comes with a 1.39-inch OLED display with a 454 x 454 resolution and 22mm strap, while the latter has a 1.2-inch OLED display with 390 x 390 resolution and 20mm strap. There is an always-on mode available, but The Verge points out that this doesn't look to be enabled by default.

The Watch GT 2 now also comes with a mic and speaker, so it's possible to take calls with it provided the watch is within 150 meters of the phone. It comes with a 5ATM rating, which means it is water-resistant up to a depth of 50 meters for up to 10 minutes at a time.

When it comes to battery life, Huawei claims you can achieve up to 14 days of battery life; a measurement made when the "screen is turned on 200 times a day." When using Bluetooth calling, it promises up to 10 hours. With GPS mode on it can go up to 30 hours and with music playback up to 24 hours. The Watch GT 2 can store up to 500 songs.

The watches support 15 workout modes, including running (road, trail, and treadmill), walking, hiking, cycling, and swimming (pool or open water), as well as gym machines and free-weight training.

The 46mm Watch GT 2 is priced at €249 (approx. CA$360) and the smaller 42mm at €229 (approx. CA$330). Huawei plans to start shipping in October. There is no word yet about possible local availability and price.

Article originally appeared on Reviews, News and Opinion with a Canadian Perspective (https://www.canadianreviewer.com/).
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