HUAWEI’s wearable portfolio has grow to be larger (and higher) not too long ago. In the event you’re in search of a premium smartwatch, the corporate presents the superb Watch GT3 Professional (do not miss our overview!) On the opposite finish of the spectrum, HUAWEI presents the Band 7 for these merely in search of an entry-level wearable with respectable health monitoring.
Final however not least, the corporate presents the Watch Match sequence for individuals who need a mixture of each. HUAWEI launched the Watch Match 2 again in Could 2022, and whereas it isn’t the most recent choice available on the market, it is nonetheless probably the greatest for its mixture of value and options.
I have been utilizing the HUAWEI Watch Match 2 for a couple of weeks, and I am very impressed. Are you questioning what units the HUAWEI Watch Match 2 aside from the competitors? Discover out in our full overview.
Design
The very first thing that you will discover whenever you take this smartwatch out of the field is its distinctive measurement. It is not as chunky as different smartwatches, nevertheless it additionally will not be as small as a health band — it is someplace in between, and I completely find it irresistible.
The show (extra on this later) is large enough which you can simply see all of the necessary data at a look, however additionally it is not so slender that you must deliver it nearer to your face to learn what’s written on the display screen.
Additionally it is fairly mild, coming in at solely 40 grams. Once I switched again to my Apple Watch Collection 6 after utilizing the Watch Match 2 for 2 weeks, the Apple Watch felt cumbersome. The HUAWEI Watch Match 2 is sized simply completely. Total, it is a handsome watch that is comfortable and unobtrusive.
In the case of type, the Watch Match 2 is out there in three colours – an Lively Version ($155 / £130) that’s much like final 12 months’s mannequin with silicone straps, a Traditional Version ($190 / £160) that options leather-based straps, and an Elegant Version ($225 / £190), accessible with both a Premium Gold Milanese Strap or a Silver Frost Milanese Strap. The latter two, Elegant and Traditional Editions, function an aluminum body, whereas the cheaper Lively Version comes with a plastic casing.
HUAWEI despatched me the Traditional Version Nebula ‘Grey’ variant of the Watch — not less than that is what it says on the field. In actuality, this hue appears to be like like a mixture of grey and brown. Aside from the colour — I want it was a bit browner — the leather-based feels very premium, and I did not discover any scratches on the steel casing after two weeks, both.
The watch is rated waterproof to 5ATM, which implies you’ll be able to put on it to the seaside or in a shallow pool with out worrying a lot. Whereas I did not take a look at it in water, I extensively used the watch throughout exercises, and sweat did not appear to wreck the leather-based a lot.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re cautious of sweat or water affecting the straps, you’ll be able to at all times change the straps utilizing the brand new mechanism HUAWEI has developed for the Watch Match 2. There are two buttons on the again aspect of the watch; urgent them releases the strap, and you’ll simply change them relying in your deliberate exercise (or price range).
Show
The HUAWEI Watch Match 2 packs a giant 1.74-inch AMOLED panel. It’s 18% bigger than the first-gen Watch Match. Whereas the bezels aren’t tremendous skinny, the watch boasts a excessive 72% screen-to-body ratio. You may make it look much more premium by slapping a darkish watch face on it.
Like I mentioned earlier than, the show is sized good. You may learn all the knowledge very clearly, and the colours are punchy too. The display screen can also be vibrant sufficient to allow you to examine your notifications and exercise evaluation in direct daylight.
There’s an always-on mode that shows restricted data whereas the watch is not being actively used, however clearly, enabling it leads to extra battery drain.
For individuals who don’t desire this function, HUAWEI contains the acquainted raise-to-wake performance that prompts the show whenever you tilt your wrist to have a look at the display screen. There’s additionally a ‘tap-to-wake’ function that wakes up the show whenever you, effectively…, faucet it.
Software program
The HUAWEI Watch Match 2 runs the corporate’s HarmonyOS 2.1 real-time OS. The preliminary setup was somewhat disappointing because the watch needed to be up to date 4 or 5 instances earlier than it could possibly be used.
However as soon as that is achieved, you are offered with easy-to-use software program. It presents easy contact controls and a single button to return to the house display screen from functions, and can be acquainted to anybody who’s used HUAWEI’s Watch GT sequence. The aspect button may also be used to set off the voice assistant by way of an extended press, although this solely works when paired with a HUAWEI smartphone.
Swiping proper from the house display screen reveals ‘HUAWEI Playing cards.’ These widgets will let you entry important data, similar to your present blood oxygen stage, coronary heart price, stress stage, and even the climate, simply with a swipe. You may also customise which playing cards are enabled and their order contained in the HUAWEI Well being app.
Whereas this smartwatch already comes preloaded with various interesting watch faces, you’ll be able to obtain over 200 third-party watch faces from the app. An extended press on the house display screen helps you to shortly swap between them.
Different software program options embrace Faucet-to-Switch, which lets you switch photos out of your cellphone to the watch (as watch faces) with only a easy faucet, plus a hoop instrument that performs a voice saying ‘I am heeeere’ so you’ll be able to find your cellphone.
One factor that I discovered attention-grabbing concerning the Watch Match 2 is that it does not assist third-party apps — and I believe it is a good factor. Actually, the watch is already loaded with a gazillion options, and I doubt you may really feel the necessity to set up third-party apps. The light-weight OS can also be pleasantly freed from hiccups or lag.
Lastly, one of many massive differentiators from the earlier era is that the HUAWEI Watch Match 2 helps calls over Bluetooth. Although this will likely appear trivial, it makes for a significantly better expertise — particularly whenever you’re driving, and your automobile does not have an excellent microphone. What’s extra, you’ll be able to even reply WhatsApp and different VoIP calls on the watch — one thing that almost all trendy Android and Apple watches cannot do (but).
Health and monitoring
In step with its title, the HUAWEI Watch Match 2 emphasizes health. The watch helps 97 sports activities modes, and routinely acknowledges seven sorts of exercises, together with Outside run, Indoor run, Outside cycle, Indoor cycle, Pool swim, Open water swim, and Bounce rope.
Throughout exercises and sports activities actions, the watch retains observe of all very important metrics, from blood oxygen ranges to coronary heart price zone targets. One of many distinctive options of exercise monitoring with this smartwatch is that it exhibits animations and gives pre- and post-workout stretches, making them very participating.
And whereas we’re on the subject of exercise monitoring, the watch additionally comes with a built-in GPS to map your outside runs. I went operating with simply the watch on to check this performance (who runs with out their cellphone anymore, proper?), and the Watch Match 2 was in a position to observe the run fairly effectively. Nevertheless, it took a couple of minutes for the watch to get a GPS lcok and begin monitoring the run.
After which there’s HUAWEI Well being. This app not solely permits you to arrange and management your smartwatch but in addition presents your exercise information in an intuitive method. It is accessible within the Google Play Retailer for Android — although HUAWEI recommends downloading it from its personal AppGallery — and in Apple App Retailer for iOS. If you would like, you can too get super-detailed information evaluation of your exercises and share the outcomes immediately on numerous social media platforms.
As somebody who is not inquisitive about getting this a lot detailed information about my exercises and health, this felt somewhat overwhelming, however I can see how it could profit those that need a broader image of their physique health and well being.
Battery
HUAWEI wearables are recognized for his or her capability to final weeks on a single cost — regardless of their small batteries — and the Watch Match 2 is not any exception. It comes with a 292 mAh battery cell, which HUAWEI claims can energy the Watch Match 2 for a complete week, even with heavy use. I discovered this to be true.
Throughout my time with the watch, it lasted seven days on a single cost with all of the important health-tracking options, similar to steady coronary heart price monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, stress monitoring, sleep monitoring, and wholesome dwelling reminders turned on. In the event you work out daily, closely depend on GPS, and maintain the always-on show mode enabled, you might need to plug it in each 4 to 5 days.
Whereas the battery life does not match the bigger Watch GT sequence, quick charging makes up for it. A fast five-minute top-up is greater than sufficient to get you thru a full day of use whereas a cost takes simply twenty minutes, and a full 0-100% cost takes about odd 50-60 minutes.
The Watch Match 2 fees utilizing an included, proprietary USB Sort-A magnetic charging cable, which sadly, is not the most effective design. The magnetic connector with pogo pins is not very safe, so you may have to concentrate when charging the watch since it is easy to dislodge.
Conclusion
So, is the HUAWEI Watch Match 2 an excellent match? Completely! It achieves precisely what it units to do. From the gymnasium to the workplace, this watch / health band hybrid might be worn wherever.
And relating to options, the Watch Match 2 hits it out of the park. Health monitoring is extraordinarily correct. HUAWEI has additionally managed to cram lots of the options present in its premium smartwatches into this smaller, lower-weight, and wrist-friendly wearable — with out sacrificing design or price.
Whereas we’d love some to see further options similar to third-party apps and NFC assist for contact-less funds, the HUAWEI Watch Match 2 will get lots proper for the value.
Execs and Cons
Execs
- Vivid AMOLED show
- Extremely-accurate well being monitoring
- Light-weight, engaging design
- Bluetooth calling assist
- Lengthy battery life and quick charging
Cons
- No third-party apps
- No NFC assist
- No Google Assistant or Siri integration
