Huawei Watch GT Runner Review: Take It and Run

The Huawei Watch GT Runner is sizzling at the heels of the Watch GT 3, and whilst the 2 percentage basic similarities, the running-focused watch sports activities a extra light-weight design, higher GPS efficiency and different tweaks that make it probably the most succesful operating watches round in 2022.

The query is, is that sufficient to tempt severe runners clear of established manufacturers like Garmin? While it’ll rely at the particular use case, I believe there’s so much for runners – particularly more recent runners – to love.

As a be aware: with such a lot of similarities between the Watch GT Runner and Watch GT 3, we’ll center of attention basically at the operating options right here. If you wish to have an in-depth have a look at the total smartwatch revel in on be offering, check out our detailed Huawei Watch GT 3 overview.

Design and construct

• Lightweight design
• Designed to be breathable
• Bright, massive, colourful show

Though the Huawei Watch GT Runner stocks many similarities with the Watch GT 3, the total design isn’t one among them. Huawei has designed the Watch GT Runner to be lighter, with intricate variations that make it higher suited for runners.  

The major relief in weight comes from the fabrics that Huawei has selected. The major frame of the 46mm wearable is constituted of a composite fibre that’s each light-weight and sturdy whilst additionally interfering much less with the GPS machine for extra correct effects, with a matte textured end that’s fulfilling to run your finger throughout.

That’s coupled with a ceramic bezel and titanium alloy crown to supply a sturdy, but nonetheless top rate, glance to the Watch GT Runner.

The mixture of fabrics imply the Watch GT Runner weighs in at simply 38.5g, 4.1g lighter than the Watch GT 3. This manner it’s much less noticeable at the wrist, particularly when operating, and it permits it to stick extra securely in position too.  

Equally as necessary is the rear, which sports activities a curved 2.5D glass case with cushy edges across the middle charge sensor machine that doesn’t aggravate the outside across the wrist.

At the centre level is the 1.43in OLED show. It’s the similar as that of the Huawei Watch GT 3, however that’s no unhealthy factor; the show is extremely detailed with colourful colors and nice distinction, and there’s a variety of watch faces – together with a data-based face unique to the Watch GT Runner – to supply key data at a look.

It’s at this level we must point out that it is a reasonably large 46mm smartwatch, and there’s no smaller 42mm type to be had. It suits my massive wrists smartly, however the ones with smaller wrists may really feel it’s a little bit too cumbersome for on a regular basis use.

The Watch GT 3 Runner additionally sports activities redesigned lugs that protrude slightly farther than some possible choices. There’s a GPS-related reason why to this that we’ll get into slightly later, however the greater gaps between the lugs and the frame have the additional advantage of offering additional air glide to assist stay sweat to a minimal.

That pattern continues with the strap, that includes gaps that permit it to be extra breathable than forged possible choices. It’s constituted of silicone like maximum sports activities straps, however Huawei has an antibacterial coating that are supposed to assist stay issues great and blank – even all over essentially the most intense runs.

Material apart, the strap is cushy to touch and extremely versatile, making it simple to overlook it’s there within the first position.

We’ve photographed the Huawei Watch GT Runner in black right here, nevertheless it’s price noting that it’s additionally to be had in a classy grey-and-yellow mixture.

The final operating spouse

• TruSeen 5.0+ HR monitoring is spectacular
• Tons of AI-powered operating options and post-run breakdowns
• Built-in customisable operating systems with customized targets

The Huawei Watch GT Runner is a somewhat respectable smartwatch, providing a collection of apps, customisable watchfaces, well being and sleep monitoring and compatibility with each iOS and Android, even supposing the most efficient revel in is with a Huawei smartphone.

It’s no longer absolute best, with somewhat fundamental notification toughen and the lack to show emoji in messages, nevertheless it’ll do for the overwhelming majority.

As famous previous, we duvet the overall smartwatch revel in in additional element in our Huawei Watch GT 3 overview – in that regard, the 2 are virtually similar. What we care maximum about here’s what’s on be offering in particular for runners.  

And, relating to operating, Huawei has smashed its function, offering probably the most complete running-focused stories I’ve had.

You can make a choice both indoor or out of doors operating (along 100+ different workout routines) within the Watch GT Runner’s Workout app, out there by way of a press of the facet button, however there’s additionally devoted operating lessons that you’ll adopt.

Accessible by means of the Huawei Health app for iOS and Android, there’s a collection of lessons catering to everybody from rookies via to marathon runners, breaking down the run into other sections to assist strengthen your staying power and stamina, and there’s a customized route mode in case you’ve were given a particular function in thoughts.

While long-time runners most probably received’t want any training, it’s particularly useful for the ones coming into the sector of health, with the integrated speaker guiding you via your run.

You’ve were given a collection of knowledge to be had at a look all over runs; such a lot in order that there are a couple of faces so that you can flick through. The default comprises distance, middle charge (and middle charge zones) and tempo, however you’ll to find different faces that center of attention extra on components like lap time, tempo and altitude.

When it involves out of doors operating, the dual-band GPS monitoring is spectacular – and that’s basically all the way down to the combo of toughen for 5 satellite tv for pc methods and Huawei transferring the machine itself. While it’s embedded inside the case in maximum possible choices, Huawei has moved it to the lugs for higher connectivity. Those longer lugs make sense now, proper?

Even in a built-up town surroundings, the watch in most cases connects to GPS inside of 5 seconds, even supposing that may range relying in your location. As smartly as the usage of this information to assist measure distance travelled extra simply, it may also be used to course you again house on out of doors runs – simply swipe to the left of the show and faucet course again.

Much of the knowledge accrued comes from Huawei’s TruSeen 5.0+ middle charge machine, in a position to measuring middle charge (together with abnormal exercise middle charges) and blood oxygen ranges.

The machine itself has been redesigned to scale back interference from gentle by way of 66%, and it makes use of a smaller 5bpm deviation threshold (in comparison to 10bpm from possible choices) to seize extra correct records with out the will for a third-party middle observe strap.

Coupled with gyroscope and GPS records along Huawei-designed algorithms according to real-world records, it will probably use that data to supply an insightful post-run breakdown. It’ll supply usual metrics like distance, energy burnt, VO2Max, tempo and middle charge, nevertheless it is going a step additional too.  

One of my favorite options is the Running Ability Index (RAI), which necessarily supplies a baseline on your operating efficiency within the type of a host. This makes it a lot more uncomplicated to look your enhancements over the years, taking components like methodology potency and staying power under consideration.

It can move a step additional by way of additionally the usage of this information to expect how a ways you’ll run a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and a complete marathon, despite the fact that you haven’t tried such lengthy runs, even supposing the numbers generally is a little too overconfident for my liking.

There also are options like Recovery Time that gives perception into how lengthy you must wait ahead of exercising once more as to assist steer clear of harm, and Training Stress provide you with an concept of the way laborious you labored all over the consultation.

It’s tangible numbers like this that may truly assist runners, whether or not you’re simply coming into your first 5K or whether or not you’re a seasoned runner taking a look to stay alongside of your well being and health. It is helping you visualise and perceive your growth over the years and, in consequence, assists in keeping you motivated.  

Plus, you’ll export the knowledge from Huawei Health to the Apple Health on an iPhone too – ideally suited for a extra holistic review of your well being and health the usage of records from a couple of apps.  

Battery existence

• Up to fourteen days of battery existence relying on utilization
• Expect shorter battery existence in case you move on a large number of runs
• Supports opposite wi-fi charging

The Huawei Watch GT Runner excels within the battery division, however taking into account Huawei’s popularity for long-lasting wearables, that shouldn’t come as a wonder. Huawei claims that you’ll squeeze as much as 14 days of use out of the Watch GT Runner ahead of it’ll desire a top-up, however that’s with many non-compulsory options – just like the always-on show – disabled.

In my revel in with the Watch GT Runner, it is available in at lower than 14 days, nevertheless it’ll in large part rely on what number of runs you’ve long past on during the week. With two 30/40-minute runs and moderate use in other places, I’ve hit the 8-day mark with 39% battery closing, which must equate to 11-12 days total.

Not reasonably the claimed battery existence then, however nonetheless considerably longer than watches just like the Apple Watch Series 7, and it is helping alleviate a few of that battery anxiousness too.

When it involves charging, the Huawei Watch GT comes with a magnetic wi-fi charger that’ll snap securely into position and price the wearable in round 90 mins. What is to hand is wi-fi charging toughen, permitting you to plonk the Watch GT Runner at the again of a smartphone with opposite wi-fi charging to height it up at the fly.

Price

The Huawei Watch GT Runner started its world rollout on January 26 2022, with liberate in choose European nations at a tempting €299. That interprets to round £250 in the United Kingdom, however UK pricing and availability are but to be showed.

It must additionally come as no wonder that the Huawei Watch GT Runner is unavailable in america, with out a plans for a liberate anytime quickly. If you’re within the States, take a look at our selection of the most efficient smartwatch to get some inspiration.

Verdict

The Huawei Watch GT Runner might not be the neatest smartwatch round, however in case you’re eager about operating – whether or not you’re a amateur or professional – you’ll love what the Watch GT Runner has to provide.

The light-weight construct makes all of the distinction, serving to stay the watch in position in your wrist to strengthen the accuracy of the center charge records being measured, and it is helping you overlook that you simply’re dressed in an eye fixed too. There’s additionally the brilliant, colourful and detailed show, with quite a lot of customisable running-focused watchfaces to make a choice from.

The operating options on be offering are what’s maximum spectacular despite the fact that; in addition to usual metrics like distance, tempo, energy and Sp02 tracking, it is going a step additional with complex insights like Running Ability Index and Training Stress, serving to supply a greater figuring out of your bodily well being. There’s additionally Lactate Threshold, a novel providing to the Watch GT Runner.

Paired with a variety of preset and customized operating lessons, spectacular GPS efficiency and lengthy battery existence, the Huawei Watch GT is the very best addition to any runner’s day by day jog – and at a wonderful value level too.

Specs

Huawei Watch GT Runner: Specs

• 46.4 x 46.4 x 11mm
• 38.5g
• 46mm case
• Speaker & microphone
• 1.43in AMOLED show (466 x 466)
• Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic, Optical Heart Rate and Air Pressure Sensors
• Huawei TruSeen 5.0+ HR monitoring
• Huawei TruSport Running Features
• AI Running Courses
• Power button
• Rotating crown
• 5ATM water resistance
• Available in Grey or Black
• 4GB garage
• Dual-band GNSS (5 satellite tv for pc methods)
• NFC
• Bluetooth
• 14-day battery existence
• Reverse wi-fi charging toughen