Huawei Watch 2 vs Apple Watch 2

Huawei Watch 2 vs. Apple Watch 2: Which Smartwatch Will You Prefer?

Smartwatches are evolving and most of the device makers have already shown the world what they could do with their first-generation smartwatches.  Some have hit the mark, while others missed the point, but the good news is that everybody gets a second chance.

The Huawei Watch 2 and the Apple Watch 2 are examples of that.  Which one is better?

Apple Watch 2

Apple Watch 2

Apple Watch 2is the upgraded smartwatch from the tech giant and it represents some great improvements compared to the original Apple Watch.  For instance, the Apple Watch 2 now has an embedded GPS sensor, is water-resistant, and has a faster processor powering it.

The device is also the first Apple Watch that has the Watch OS3 and that boasts of a brighter display.  In short, it has most of the improvements that people wanted to see from the first Apple Watch.

You have a variety of options if you want to personalize your Apple Watch 2.  There are two sizes available, and you can choose from steel, ceramic and aluminum watch cases.  It also has a wide array of strap materials and straps colors to choose from.  Apple also partnered with Hermes and Nike for some designs for the Watch 2.

The display is very bright and you will be able to see the watch’s face even under direct sunlight.  The Apple Watch 2 has a 1,000 nit display, which is more than double the 450 nits you see on the original Apple Watch.  To save battery life, the display is not always on.  You can wake it up just by tapping on it or by lifting your wrist.

Fitness tracking

The Apple Watch 2 is a capable fitness tracker that can record the number of steps you have taken, the number of calories burned, and the other activities you’ve done.  You can take it swimming and the smartwatch will be able to accurately log your swimming time and the calories you burned.  It also has a GPS tracker onboard, which means that you can leave your iPhone at home while you run.

The Apple Watch 2 also has a heart rate sensor that checks your pulse.  It also allows you to choose from a dozen workouts and can accurately measure your movements in these workouts.

Other improvements from the first generation

The Apple Watch 2 can deliver up to 18 hours of operation with a single full charge, but it can easily last for two days.

Another improvement is that the Watch 2 has a faster processor, the S2.  This means that the apps load faster and the graphics are handled better.  You also get an always-on Siri just waiting for you to say “Hey Siri.”  This allows you to give hands-free commands such as calling people up or setting your alarms.

Watch OS3

apple watch serie 2

There are some serious features in the Watch OS3 operating system that powers the Apple Watch 2.  This operating system brings a lot of new smart features to the smartwatch.  For instance, you can use Scribble to write out a reply to text or e-mail messages using the smartwatch.

You do not have to fiddle with small keys; you just write your message out on the Watch 2’s display, one letter at a time.  You can also reply to messages using the Tapback feature, which sends an icon.  Or you can just dictate your message.

Watch OS3 also introduces the application dock, which gives you easy access to your most frequently used apps.  You can also customize watch faces on your iPhone rather than on the watch itself.  Plus, there’s an Emergency SOS feature that allows you to easily call for help in times of emergency.

What could be better

Apple Watch 2 does not natively monitor your sleep.  But you can download apps from the App Store that can help you do just that.  That is not all that you’d find lacking with the Apple Watch 2.  For instance, there is no way for you to create and use your own watch face.

Apple gives you 14 customizable watch faces, but if you want something different from these, tough luck.  It also needs your smartphone in order to be connected, rather than have its own cellular connection.

Huawei Watch 2

Huawei Watch 2

Huawei Watch 2 is a remarkable watch that tries to pack in a lot of features.  You could perhaps find all the features that you would want in a Huawei Watch 2.

You can also opt for 4G models that would allow the smartwatch to connect directly to the Internet even without your smartphone.  The smartwatch is compatible with either SIM or eSIM cards.

Design and dimensions

The Huawei Watch 2 is a great piece of technology housed in a beautiful body.  It has a ceramic bezel, which you can find on luxury watches.  The ceramic material is six times more durable than stainless steel and is much more scratch-proof.  The ceramic bezel is also very lightweight.

The classic version makes use of standard straps, allowing you to easily find the perfect strap for your wrists.  Huawei has a range of sports and leather straps for the classic line, in a variety of colors including light gray, light brown, black, and tan, among others.

You can also choose from a variety of available watch faces.  The lug width for the Huawei Watch 2 is 0.79 inches, while the Classic has a lug width of 0.87 inches.

The Huawei Watch 2 has an all-plastic case while the Classic version has a mix of plastic and stainless steel for its case.  Colors for the Huawei Watch 2 includes carbon black, dynamic orange, and concrete gray, while the Classic comes only in titanium gray.

Huawei Watch 2 has a circular AMOLED screen that measures 1.2 inches in diameter, giving you a resolution of 390 pixels by 390 pixels.  It is protected by Corning Gorilla glass.  You should have no problems seeing the watch face even when the sun is bright and right above your head.

Fitness tracking features

The Huawei Watch 2 offers continuous heart rate tracking, giving you your pulse rate for the past six hours.

Those who are serious about their fitness would be thankful that Huawei has made it easier for them to start tracking their activities.  With a dedicated lower crown button, users can easily start their fitness app to track their exercise.  The Huawei Watch 2 also allows you to see your progress, your goals, reminders on time, distance and lap, and even tell you to go faster or slower.

But the best thing about the Huawei Watch 2 is that you can view your fitness data on the device itself, allowing you to know your history, your best times, and your other statistics to help you create an effective workout, know your VO2max, and recovery time and training effect, among others.

And if you are the type that likes to exercise to music, you can listen to music stored on your Huawei Watch 2’s 4-gigabyte storage, and you can stream songs from Google Play Music.

Smart features

The Huawei Watch 2 uses Android Wear 2.0 to power its smart features.  That means that you have access to a variety of mobile apps that you can take with you.  Some of these apps are standalone apps that will not need your phone to work.

You can also find the answers to the most pressing questions easily with Google Assistant, or pay through your wrist with the NFC chip and Android Pay.  And yes, you can easily answer calls and text messages on a Huawei Watch 2.

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
02/18/2024 12:04 am GMT

Other features

The Huawei Watch 2 is resistant to water and dust, with an IP68 rating.  And when it comes to design, the bezel hides all the device’s antennas, making the signals very strong.  The embedded antennas are for the 4G cellular connection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.

The Huawei Watch 2 uses a battery that delivers two days of running time on a single charge.  However, the smartwatch has an option to set it to watch mode, which gives you up to 18 days of battery juice.

Huawei Watch 2 and Apple Watch 2: Which one is better?

It would be difficult to choose between the Huawei Watch 2 and the Apple Watch 2.  Each offers its own strengths and can do fitness tracking quite well.  Their smart features are also on par with one another.

Side-by-side comparison

Model Huawei Watch 2 Apple Watch 2
Official Price $299.00 $249.00
Display
Touchscreen Yes Yes
Color Yes Yes
Screen size 1.2” 1.65″
Resolution 390 x 390 312 x 390
Sensors
Accelerometer Yes Yes
Gyroscope Yes Yes
Heart rate monitor Yes Yes
Altimeter No No
Ambient light sensor Yes Yes
Compass Yes No
Barometer Yes No
Capacitive Sensor Yes No
GPS Yes Yes
NFC Yes Yes
Battery Not specified Lithium-ion
Running time 2 days 5 days
Smart notifications Yes Yes
Can reply to notifications? Yes Yes
OS Android Wear 2.0 Watch OS3

Where the Huawei Watch 2 wins

The most basic Huawei Watch 2 has a suggested retail price of $299 but you can get it for a lower price on Amazon at $244.19.  The 4G model starts at around $400.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch 2has an official price of $249, but it is no longer available on the Apple online store.  On Amazon, however, the lowest price you could find for an Apple Watch 2 is $334.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 3 has an official price tag of $329 to $1,399.While the official price for the Apple Watch 2 is lower, street prices and lowest prices on Amazon favor the Huawei Watch 2.  You can get a Huawei Watch 2 for about $100 cheaper than the Apple Watch 2.

Huawei seems to think that when it comes to features, more is definitely better.  And they did a superb job when they packed all the important features into one solid smartwatch: NFC, GPS, 4G connectivity, plus more sensors than the Apple Watch 2 has.  Its use of Android Wear 2.0 is also a definite plus, giving users access to a variety of mobile apps.

The biggest market for Huawei Watch 2 are the fitness buffs who do not like to bring their wallets and smartphones when they’re out exercising.  Of course, it would also appeal to people who want a one-size-fits-all smartwatch and are awed by the features that the Huawei Watch 2 has.

Where the Apple Watch 2 wins

The Apple Watch 2 is well-designed, with aesthetic elements that set it apart from other smartwatches.  That is not to say that the Huawei Watch 2 is an ugly piece of work.  In fact, it is also beautifully crafted.  Side by side, however, it is very apparent that the Apple Watch 2 looks prettier than the Huawei Watch 2.

While the Huawei Watch 2 is rated IP68, you cannot wear your watch while swimming, diving or while in the shower.  The Apple Watch 2 can withstand and even tracks your swimming time.

But what makes Apple Watch 2 the runaway winner is that Huawei tried to do a lot with its smartwatch, but did not think too much about how to make it happen.  For instance, the processor needs to be faster.  What’s the point of offering Android Pay and NFC when you actually find it faster and easier to just take out your wallet than to launch the payment app?

You also have to contend with a much smaller display at 1.2 inches.  This means that each screen could accommodate fewer statistics and features and it would take a lot of scrolling to see your fitness data.  Ironically, what made the Huawei Watch 2 also signaled a lot of weaknesses.

Both the Huawei Watch 2 and the Apple Watch 2 are very competent smartwatches that allow you to be more productive, keep on top of things, and monitor your fitness – all from your wrist.  The Huawei Watch 2 might win the features war, but Apple Watch 2 is better-made with a faster processor and prettier design.