ActiveRunningHuawei Watch GT Runner review – Light running watch with a lot to sayHuawei’s first dedicated running watch provides audio feedback as you run and has a beautiful AMOLED displayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictHuawei’s first dedicated running smartwatch, the Watch GT Runner, is essentially a lightweight version of the Huawei Watch GT 3, a capable wearable on its own terms. The Watch GT Runner doesn’t offer quite as many features as Garmin or Polar watches, but it has built-in GPS and a comparatively accurate optical heart rate sensor.Reasons to buy+Lightweight+Fast and accurate GPS+Responsive touch screen+A great option for those with visual impairmentReasons to avoid-Data fields are small-Huawei Health app takes some time to get used to-It’s best to use running headphones to listen to the feedback to the AI Running Coach when running-Large watch case might not fit well on smaller wrists-It would be better to have music storage on-boardWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveRunningHuawei Watch GT Runner review – Light running watch with a lot to sayHuawei’s first dedicated running watch provides audio feedback as you run and has a beautiful AMOLED displayWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictHuawei’s first dedicated running smartwatch, the Watch GT Runner, is essentially a lightweight version of the Huawei Watch GT 3, a capable wearable on its own terms. The Watch GT Runner doesn’t offer quite as many features as Garmin or Polar watches, but it has built-in GPS and a comparatively accurate optical heart rate sensor.Reasons to buy+Lightweight+Fast and accurate GPS+Responsive touch screen+A great option for those with visual impairmentReasons to avoid-Data fields are small-Huawei Health app takes some time to get used to-It’s best to use running headphones to listen to the feedback to the AI Running Coach when running-Large watch case might not fit well on smaller wrists-It would be better to have music storage on-boardWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Huawei’s first dedicated running watch provides audio feedback as you run and has a beautiful AMOLED display
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictHuawei’s first dedicated running smartwatch, the Watch GT Runner, is essentially a lightweight version of the Huawei Watch GT 3, a capable wearable on its own terms. The Watch GT Runner doesn’t offer quite as many features as Garmin or Polar watches, but it has built-in GPS and a comparatively accurate optical heart rate sensor.Reasons to buy+Lightweight+Fast and accurate GPS+Responsive touch screen+A great option for those with visual impairmentReasons to avoid-Data fields are small-Huawei Health app takes some time to get used to-It’s best to use running headphones to listen to the feedback to the AI Running Coach when running-Large watch case might not fit well on smaller wrists-It would be better to have music storage on-board
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictHuawei’s first dedicated running smartwatch, the Watch GT Runner, is essentially a lightweight version of the Huawei Watch GT 3, a capable wearable on its own terms. The Watch GT Runner doesn’t offer quite as many features as Garmin or Polar watches, but it has built-in GPS and a comparatively accurate optical heart rate sensor.Reasons to buy+Lightweight+Fast and accurate GPS+Responsive touch screen+A great option for those with visual impairmentReasons to avoid-Data fields are small-Huawei Health app takes some time to get used to-It’s best to use running headphones to listen to the feedback to the AI Running Coach when running-Large watch case might not fit well on smaller wrists-It would be better to have music storage on-board
T3 VerdictHuawei’s first dedicated running smartwatch, the Watch GT Runner, is essentially a lightweight version of the Huawei Watch GT 3, a capable wearable on its own terms. The Watch GT Runner doesn’t offer quite as many features as Garmin or Polar watches, but it has built-in GPS and a comparatively accurate optical heart rate sensor.
T3 Verdict
Huawei’s first dedicated running smartwatch, the Watch GT Runner, is essentially a lightweight version of the Huawei Watch GT 3, a capable wearable on its own terms. The Watch GT Runner doesn’t offer quite as many features as Garmin or Polar watches, but it has built-in GPS and a comparatively accurate optical heart rate sensor.
Reasons to buy+Lightweight+Fast and accurate GPS+Responsive touch screen+A great option for those with visual impairmentReasons to avoid-Data fields are small-Huawei Health app takes some time to get used to-It’s best to use running headphones to listen to the feedback to the AI Running Coach when running-Large watch case might not fit well on smaller wrists-It would be better to have music storage on-board
Reasons to buy+Lightweight+Fast and accurate GPS+Responsive touch screen+A great option for those with visual impairment
Lightweight
Fast and accurate GPS
Responsive touch screen
A great option for those with visual impairment
Reasons to avoid-Data fields are small-Huawei Health app takes some time to get used to-It’s best to use running headphones to listen to the feedback to the AI Running Coach when running-Large watch case might not fit well on smaller wrists-It would be better to have music storage on-board
Data fields are small
Huawei Health app takes some time to get used to
It’s best to use running headphones to listen to the feedback to the AI Running Coach when running
Large watch case might not fit well on smaller wrists
It would be better to have music storage on-board
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Huawei Watch GT Runner deals
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HuaweiWatch GT Runner review TL;DR: Huawei’s first dedicated running watch is on the right track to becoming a seriousGarminrival, but it needs to iron out some niggles first.
Huawei is after the big dogs of the running watch market with the Watch GT Runner. The company’s first foray into specialised performance wearables is built on the Watch GT 3 (read myHuawei Watch GT 3 review) platform that’s, at least in my opinion, a greatsmartwatchas is.
Compared to the sporty Watch GT 3, the Watch GT Runner lost some heft, kept all the sensors and added more running-specific features, creating an affordablerunning watchthat’s easy to use and like. Is the Watch GT Runner worth considering as your nextmultisport watchpurchase? Let’s find out.
Huawei Watch GT Runner review: Price and availability
The Huawei Watch GT Runner was released in the UK on 22 March 2022 and is available to buy now directly fromHuaweior throughAmazonfor a recommended retail price of £259.99.
The watch is also available in the EU and costs €299.
US and AU prices and availability TBC.
“GPS antenna is placed in the watch lugs under the thinner polymer fibre to increase accuracy and reduce interference."(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
“GPS antenna is placed in the watch lugs under the thinner polymer fibre to increase accuracy and reduce interference.”
“GPS antenna is placed in the watch lugs under the thinner polymer fibre to increase accuracy and reduce interference.”
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Huawei Watch GT Runner review: Build quality and physical design
The Watch GT Runner uses lightweight materials to keep the weight of the wearable to a minimum. The watch case is made of high-composite fibre, essentially a hard-wearing plastic that’s not dissimilar to what Garmin uses in its Forerunner series. The bezel is silicon nitride ceramic - light, tough, kind of looks like plastic - and the watch crown is titanium alloy. All in all, the Huawei Watch GT Runner weighs only 38.5 grams, excluding the silicone strap.
Light it might be, the Watch GT Runner is certainly a large watch. The watch case is 46 mm, and it only comes in one size, unlike many other fitness watches such as the Garmin Venu 2 (Garmin Venu 2 review) or the Garmin Fenix 7 (Garmin Fenix 7 review). This isn’t an issue if you’re taller or have a large wrist, but people with smaller wrists might struggle to find the right fit with such a wide watch case.
The Huawei Watch GT Runner has a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. It’s a touchscreen wearable, and touch interactions work fluidly; there is lag or insensitivity present.
Flip the watch over, and you’ll find the same optical heart rate sensor used in the Watch GT 3. The Huawei TruSeen 5.0+ has eight LEDs arranged in a circular pattern. The sensor can be found under what Huawei calls a 2.5D curved glass which protrudes slightly to sit closer to your skin no matter how tight the band is.
Between your skin and the glass, you’ll find a “micro-nano optical layer”, the Fresnel film, which is said to have improved condensing properties, so the optical heart rate sensor “sees” the skin better even when you’re really sweaty.
The Huawei Watch GT Runner has a suspended hidden antenna design. Antennas are usually curved around or hidden under the watch case (theFitbit Charge 5infamously has an under-case antenna). Here, it’s placed in the watch lugs under the thinner polymer fibre to increase accuracy and reduce interference. The Watch GT Runner uses a dual-band five-system GNSS.
“The difference between Garmin’s and Huawei’s offerings is that the lattertalks. A lot."(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
“The difference between Garmin’s and Huawei’s offerings is that the lattertalks. A lot.”
“The difference between Garmin’s and Huawei’s offerings is that the lattertalks. A lot.”
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Huawei Watch GT Runner review: Running performance
The difference between Garmin’s and Huawei’s offerings is that the Watch GT Runnertalks. As a matter of fact, the wearable chats almost constantly, which can be strange to people like me who aren’t used to any such levels of audio feedback. Most running watches andfitness trackerswould beep once or twice when new information is displayed on the screen; not the Watch GT Runner, though!
And since the watch has a built-in speaker, it’ll not only tell you all these stats but everyone who’s around you. I often run withoutrunning headphones, but on this occasion, I wore a couple of buds so I could listen to the coach’s advice without annoying everyone on the street.
Of course, volume can be turned down, and audio feedback can be turned off entirely, but I actually enjoyed the constant nagging from the coach. Feedback wasn’t super helpful – it told me my heart rate wasn’t in the zone 10 seconds after I started the run – but overall, it was helpful to know my pace and time, so I wouldn’t have to look at my wrist every time the watch buzzed.
It’s even better, considering the small data fields; I had this issue with the Watch GT 3. Generally speaking, I like white space in design but not in running watches, where I want to be able to understand information while moving my wrist and bobbing my head. Can we please have bigger data fields in the future, Huawei? Much appreciated.
“Heart rate measurements during exercise were a bit hit and miss."(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
“Heart rate measurements during exercise were a bit hit and miss.”
“Heart rate measurements during exercise were a bit hit and miss.”
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Huawei Watch GT Runner review: Accuracy
I was satisfied with the accuracy of the Huawei Watch GT 3. Since the Watch GT Runner uses the same sensors and algorithm, I expected the running watch to deliver the same level of accuracy as its kind-of predecessor.
Overall, the Huawei Watch GT Runner is an accurate wearable. GPS performance is good, on par with the Garmin Fenix 7 I used as a reference when I tested the watch. Both watches use a dual-band multi-system satellite system for tracking position, and they do the job just fine. There are some discrepancies when you use a satellite overlay – I ran through a couple of buildings during my sessions, at least according to the Huawei Health app – but nothing that would seriously compromise pace information.
Heart rate measurements were a bit hit and miss. On some occasions, it took a few minutes for the watch to find the correct heart rate level and often started reporting exorbitant heart rate readings, going all the way up to threshold level before normalising. Strangely, it’s the same effect I used to experience when using the COROS Pace 2 (COROS Pace 2 review), a watch I really like and use to this day.
This isn’t a new feature, but it’s worth mentioning here: in the Huawei Health app, you’ll find a button called “Dynamic tracking” on your workout summary page. Using this feature, you can create short videos of your sessions that you can share on social media such as Strava or anywhere else. It’s also fun to watch this video as it displays pacing and heart rate information about your sessions, even if you aren’t planning on sharing it anywhere.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Huawei Watch GT Runner review: Verdict
I’m in a bit of a conundrum with rating the Huawei Watch GT Runner. I gave five stars to the Huawei Watch GT 3 in my review, and the Watch GT Runner should be the sportier version of that watch, so naturally, I should also rate this one five stars, right?
The truth is, I actually enjoyed using the Watch GT 3 more than the Watch GT Runner. The Watch GT 3 has most of the features of the Watch GT Runner (even the AI Running Coach) but packages it into a more premium watch body. Sure, it’s a bit heavier, but at least it looks cool and can also be worn as an everyday watch if that’s what you want.
The Huawei Watch GT Runner isn’t a bad watch either, don’t get me wrong.Andyou can also wear it whenever you want it. It’s lightweight, has a big, bright screen and offers plenty of useful features for those who are new to running. Not to mention, many runners prefer lightweight running watches, and the Watch GT Runner is certainly not heavy.
Even taking into account that it’s only the first iteration of what will most likely be a long line of running watches, the Watch GT Runner is worth your attention. It’s not quite as hardcore as the Garmin Forerunner 245 (Garmin Forerunner 245 review), nor has it got as robust recovery features as the Polar Vantage M2 (Polar Vantage M2 review). However, for the price, it’s hard to stay mad at any of the shortcomings of the Watch GT Runner.
I hope future software updates will make the Huawei Watch GT Runner an even more accurate wearable. Until then, I think I’ll stick with the Watch GT 3.
Huawei Watch GT Runner review: Also consider
Most of the obvious alternatives for the Huawei Watch GT Runner have already been mentioned above, but just to recap:
TheHuawei Watch GT 3is a good option for those who want a similar watch to the Watch GT Runner but yearn for something less plasticky.
TheCOROS Pace 2is an excellent lightweight running watch with plenty of useful features and robust app support.
TheGarmin Forerunner 245is a solid choice if you want to get an affordable running watch from the most established manufacturer at the moment.
Huawei Watch GT Runner: Price Comparison
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