in a 34 gram running watch

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 arrives with two great arguments under its arm:

1. It is the clock running in titanium, lightest in its categorywithout direct competition from Amazfit or Garmin in that material.
2. And it debuts a completely redesigned GPS antenna architecture that promises 20% more precision compared to the GT6.

With all this, Huawei aims directly at the high-end of the category, with models such as the Garmin Forerunner 970 or the Coros Pace 4.

Technical data sheet of the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2

Titanium where no one else uses it

The decision to build the case in aerospace grade titanium alloy has a clear logic in the watch segment. running pure: neither the Garmin Forerunner 970 nor the Coros Pace 4, the rivals it targets, offer titanium at this weight level. Garmin does use titanium in its Fenix ​​range, but they are larger, thicker and heavier watches, aimed at multisport adventure.

The result is a weight of just 34.5 grams without the strap, which with the included nylon strap rises to 43.5 grams, compared to the 56 g of the Forerunner 970 or the 50 g of the Coros Pace 4 with their respective straps.

To maintain that weight without sacrificing durability, Huawei has replaced the sapphire glass of previous generations with its own Kunlun Glass second generation. It’s a trade-off that not everyone will like, although the 3,000-nit AMOLED screen more than makes up for it in outdoor visibility.

The 44mm case and 10.7mm thickness, 2.2mm thinner than the Forerunner 970, are deliberately unisex decisions: this watch can be a little small for some and a little big for othersand it is a risk he takes to try to get closer to a middle point.

Standard 22mm interchangeable straps allow compatibility with virtually any accessory on the market. The nylon strap incorporates AirDry technology, with more holes to improve breathability by 25% and accelerate drying. Sweat and shower are not usually friends of this type of straps and Huawei believes that with this jump it will be somewhat more bearable.

The big leap: a GPS antenna that comes out of the motherboard

The most ambitious technical change in the GT Runner 2 is in the GPS. Huawei has removed the antenna from the motherboard and created a 3D floating antenna on the outside of the watch, with a dielectric bezel under the titanium bezel acting as a signal polarizing element. The system, which they call sunflowermaintains a simultaneous connection with two GPS signals.

The real-life result is a 20% improvement in accuracy over the GT6, with coverage even in tunnels, and a 10% improvement in distance and pace data.

The comparative graphs against the Forerunner 970 (Huawei has become obsessed with it in its comparisons) in dense urban environments, the worst possible scenario for any GPS, show a trajectory noticeably more faithful to the real route.

Health and metrics: this is for very methodical runners

Heart rate monitoring reaches, according to Huawei, 99% accuracy compared to chest bands in training, a figure that they themselves support with internal tests on a sample of more than 42 people.

The watch includes 5-second ECG, arrhythmia detection, and continuous heart rate variability, even during sleep.

There are two new metrics that deserve special attention:

1. The first is the racing powerwhich combines terrain resistance via GPS, air resistance estimated through the weather app and resistance by inclination. It is an estimate, not a direct measurement, and should be taken into account.
2. The second is the real-time lactate threshold detection using an algorithm developed with the Beijing Sports University. This is a metric that in real time normally requires laboratory blood analysis.

AI training and marathon mode

The GT Runner 2 relies heavily on personalized training plans generated by AI, which dynamically adjust based on the results of each session, sleep status and stress. If one day you train more or less than planned, the app automatically reorganizes the entire planning.

The so-called marathon mode (although the distance is configurable to any race) allows you to record a specific event, such as the Barcelona Marathon, and The app generates a week-by-week plan with days of running, strength and legs, synchronizable directly with the mobile calendar. During the race, the watch acts as a coach on the wrist with mileage pace guidance and refueling strategy. Good detail that we will try later.

Something unique is the integration with Kotcha, the AI ​​training app used by Eliud Kipchoge’s team. Also compatible with Intervals.icu, Strava, Komoot and import of GPX routes.

Price and availability of the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2

Each box includes two straps, AirDry nylon and fluoroelastomer. All colors are unisex.

The price in Spain is 399 euros, although there are some stores that are already selling it for 379 euros.

Featured image | Xataka

In Xataka | Huawei Mate X7, analysis: a powerful camera for a foldable that doesn’t need Google for (almost) anything