Choosing the right smartwatch can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’re faced with two compelling options that look remarkably similar on paper. The Huawei Watch GT 2 and the Amazfit GTR are two such devices, often pitted against each other for their premium aesthetics and impressive battery life. Both promise to deliver a robust set of features without the premium price tag of their flagship competitors, but they have distinct personalities and strengths.
If you’re trying to decide which of these stylish wearables is the right fit for your wrist and lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place. This Huawei Watch GT 2 vs Amazfit GTR (Detailed Hands-on Comparison) – WatchRanker guide is built from real-world use, going beyond the spec sheets to see how they perform in daily life. We’ll break down everything from design and display to health tracking and software, helping you make an informed decision.
First Impressions: Design and Build Quality
At first glance, these two watches could be cousins. Both feature a classic, circular watch case that leans more towards traditional timepieces than futuristic gadgets. The Huawei Watch GT 2 often feels a bit more refined in its finishing, with a slimmer profile and a ceramic bezel that has a polished, high-end look. The two physical buttons on the side are responsive and give a satisfying click.
The Amazfit GTR, on the other hand, makes a statement with its slightly larger presence and a more pronounced, rotating bezel that mimics a diving watch. It’s a bit heavier, which can contribute to a feeling of solidity. Both watches come in a variety of sizes and materials (like aluminum alloy and stainless steel), so your preference might come down to whether you like a sleeker, dressier look (Huawei) or a more robust, sporty aesthetic (Amazfit). The stock silicone straps on both are comfortable, but the standard 22mm lugs mean you can easily swap them out for any third-party band.
The Display Showdown: Clarity in Sunlight
You’ll be looking at your watch’s screen dozens of times a day, so its quality is paramount. Both watches use vibrant AMOLED displays that are sharp, colorful, and easy to read indoors. The Huawei Watch GT 2 typically has a slight edge in pixel density, making text and icons appear exceptionally crisp.
Where the real test lies is in direct sunlight. Both perform admirably, but the Huawei’s auto-brightness seems a tad more aggressive and effective at ramping up to maintain visibility. The Amazfit GTR’s display is still very good, but you might find yourself manually adjusting the brightness more often during outdoor activities. Both offer always-on display options, though this will significantly impact the famed battery life on both devices.
Battery Life: The Marathon vs The Sprint
This is the crown jewel for both of these watches. You’re not buying either of these for a one-day battery. The Huawei Watch GT 2 boasts an incredible two-week battery life under typical usage, and in our testing, it consistently delivered on that promise. Even with regular heart rate monitoring and workout tracking, getting through a full week is almost a guarantee.
The Amazfit GTR makes an even more staggering claim: up to 24 days. In real-world conditions, with standard use and notifications enabled, you can realistically expect around two to three weeks, which is still phenomenal. It ultimately wins the endurance race. If your top priority is forgetting your charger for as long as humanly possible, the Amazfit GTR has the slight advantage. However, both are champions that put most other smartwatches to shame.
Health and Fitness Tracking: A Deeper Look
Both watches cover the essential bases: 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a suite of built-in sports modes for activities like running, cycling, and swimming (both have 5 ATM water resistance). The Huawei Watch GT 2 utilizes its proprietary TruSeen 3.5 technology for heart rate monitoring, which we found to be very consistent and responsive during workouts.
Huawei also includes TruRelax for stress monitoring and offers guided breathing exercises, which is a nice touch for mindfulness. The Amazfit GTR relies on BioTracker PPG technology, which is also competent. Where Amazfit pulls ahead for some users is with its built-in GPS. While both watches have GPS, the Amazfit GTR often acquires a signal slightly faster and more reliably for standalone outdoor runs without your phone. For the dedicated runner or cyclist, this can be a meaningful differentiator.
Software and Smart Features: Lite and Functional
It’s important to understand that neither watch runs a full smartwatch OS like Wear OS. Instead, they use lightweight, proprietary systems designed for efficiency. The Huawei Watch GT 2 uses Lite OS, which is simple and focused on core tasks. You can receive notifications, control music, check the weather, and find your phone. The interface is smooth and intuitive.
The Amazfit GTR runs on Amazfit’s own platform, which feels a bit more customizable with a wider variety of watch faces available directly from the app. Both handle basic smartphone notifications well, but you cannot reply to messages or interact with most alerts beyond reading them. If you’re looking for a rich app ecosystem, these are not the watches for you. They are, however, perfectly capable as fitness trackers with smart notifications.
Huawei Watch GT 2 vs Amazfit GTR (Detailed Hands-on Comparison) – WatchRanker Verdict
After spending significant time with both devices, the choice becomes clearer based on your personal priorities. The Huawei Watch GT 2 shines with its slightly more premium design, incredibly crisp display, and a very polished overall user experience. Its health features, like stress tracking, feel more integrated. It’s the watch for someone who values elegance and reliable, all-around performance.
The Amazfit GTR fights back with its unbeatable battery life and slightly more robust GPS performance. Its design is sportier and more pronounced, and its software offers a bit more customization out of the box. It’s the ideal choice for the fitness enthusiast who wants maximum battery endurance and reliable standalone GPS for their adventures.
Making Your Final Choice
So, which one should you strap on your wrist? Think about what matters most to you. If your day-to-day revolves around a professional setting and you want a watch that doubles as a sophisticated accessory with great health insights and more than enough battery life, the Huawei Watch GT 2 is a fantastic partner. If you are a battery-life extremist, love a sporty look, and need rock-solid GPS for your outdoor training sessions, the Amazfit GTR will not let you down. You really can’t go wrong with either, as both represent exceptional value in the world of long-lasting smartwatches.