Huawei Watch Fit 2 First Run Review: A Strong All-Rounder for Runners

Introduction

The Huawei Watch Fit 2 arrived quietly alongside a wider wearable announcement, and after a first outdoor run with it the early signs are genuinely encouraging. Priced at £129.99 in the UK, it packs a noticeably larger screen, a dual-band GPS system taken from Huawei’s Watch GT Runner, and a full suite of running analysis features into a slim tracker-style body.

This first look covers what is new compared to the original Watch Fit, how it behaved on a 6K run in warm conditions, and who it makes the most sense for.

Specs and Key Features at a Glance

There is no US pricing or launch information due to the ongoing dispute between Huawei and the US, but the watch is available in the UK at £129.99. It runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS and works with both Android phones and iPhones.

Key specs and features include:

• 1.74-inch, 456 x 280 AMOLED touchscreen, up from the 1.64-inch panel on the original
• Dual-band, five-system GNSS borrowed from the Huawei Watch GT Runner for improved outdoor tracking accuracy
• GPX route import via Huawei Health, running courses, training plans and interval sessions
• Running insights including a Running Ability Index, training load, recovery time and VO2 max estimates
• Huawei’s TrueScene optical heart rate sensor, with no support for pairing an external chest strap
• Animated workouts now joined by pre-run warm-ups and post-run stretches
• Smartwatch features including the ability to answer Bluetooth calls when paired to a phone
• 10 days of battery life in standard use, 7 days in heavy use, and roughly 15 to 16 hours of GPS use in initial testing

Huawei sells the Fit 2 in three versions: Active, Classic and Elegant. These differ mainly in strap and case finishes, with the Classic and Elegant versions getting aluminium front cases. The Classic version on test here sits between the sporty and the dressy options.

Design and Fit

The Watch Fit 2 is essentially a smartwatch crossed with a fitness tracker, and the second generation is a little stockier and stubbier than the original, with a more square overall shape. The screen is the clear highlight: the jump in size and resolution creates a far more readable, square-looking display that was bright and easy to view even in direct sunlight.

The silicone strap feels comfortable and uses a standard watch-style buckle, with a simple button-release system for quick strap swapping. There is also a single physical button alongside the touchscreen, and a raise-to-wake gesture replaces an always-on display option.

Anyone who loved the slimmer profile of the original may prefer that older form factor, but there is no denying the larger screen makes absorbing data on the move easier. As a daily wearable it is light, unobtrusive and comfortable enough to forget about.

Run Test Performance

The first test was an easy 6K run in Milan on a very hot day, with the watch compared against a Garmin Epix throughout. GPS acquisition was quick, though the signal dropped once before the run started and needed a reset. After that it held steady and produced distance and pacing figures that broadly matched the Garmin, which is about as much as you can ask from a first outing.

The dual-band multi-system GPS is the headline upgrade, and while it was not perfect, in that short run the tracking worked well against a watch that is among the most accurate available.

Heart rate data from the TrueScene sensor looked plausible, if slightly elevated by the heat and recovery from illness. The main caveat is that you cannot pair an external heart rate strap, which limits options for runners who want guaranteed accuracy or a backup.

Battery behaviour raised no alarms either: starting a 30-minute run at roughly 25 percent charge produced only a minor drop-off. The bigger question is whether this level of accuracy holds up over longer distances and in race mode, which only more testing will answer.

What Could Be Better

There are a few trade-offs worth knowing about before buying:

• No support for external heart rate monitor chest straps, so the optical sensor is the only option
• The stockier, squarer design is less slimline than the original Watch Fit
• Raise-to-wake only, with no always-on display mentioned
• GPS accuracy needs to be proven over longer runs and races before it can be fully trusted
• Heart rate accuracy was a weak point on the original, so it is worth watching here

None of these are alarm bells, but together they explain why the Fit 2 is best viewed as a strong all-rounder rather than a dedicated sports watch replacement.

Buying Advice

For £129.99, the amount of running functionality here is impressive. You get the dual-band GPS from the Watch GT Runner, full running analysis, GPX route import for navigation, customisable data screens and a genuinely excellent AMOLED display. Against a Fitbit Charge-style device, this feels like significantly more watch for the money.

The better comparison, though, is with entry-level Garmin and Polar watches at similar prices. The Fit 2 makes sense for runners who do not want the full sports watch look and prefer something sleeker with a bright colour display. If you prioritise proven race-day accuracy above all else, an established sports watch remains the safer bet, especially since a chest strap cannot be added here. As a stylish daily wearable with serious running credentials, it is one of the more interesting options at this price.

Conclusion

After a single run, the Huawei Watch Fit 2 is pleasantly surprising. The data looked solid, the screen is excellent, and the feature set punches well above its price. The open questions are long-term heart rate accuracy and GPS consistency over longer efforts, but as a hybrid smartwatch and running tracker around £130, there is a lot to like.