Running Watchmaker: how a special smart gadget for athletes works

Smart watches have long ceased to be something special. That's what most users think, and that's why manufacturers are now trying to surprise not the majority with their new products, but a specific segment of potential buyers. For example, Huawei recently introduced the second generation of specialized running smart watches, the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2. The device is aimed at both experienced amateurs who regularly participate in races, and those who are just starting to systematically approach training and master distances of several kilometers. This approach reflects the manufacturer's overall strategy: to offer a tool that is equally applicable for both marathon preparation and daily physical activity. Izvestia figured out what interesting things are hidden in these smart watches.

A technological race without limits

The key technological update was the positioning system. The watch received a three-dimensional floating antenna with a modified case architecture, including a metal frame and dielectric elements. This made it possible to increase the signal power by 3.5 times compared to the previous generation and ensure more stable reception in difficult conditions, for example, in dense urban areas or on routes with partial sky coverage.

Support for dual-frequency reception of several satellite systems at once, including GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO, provides a more accurate calculation of route, distance and pace, which is critical for running training.

Significant attention is paid to the software component. The intelligent marathon preparation mode is integrated with the Huawei Health app and allows users to build a training process based on specific starts. The system provides information about popular races, as well as the ability to add your own goals.

After synchronization, the watch forms a personalized training plan, divided into stages — from adaptation to reaching peak fitness. This scenario is aimed at gradually increasing the load and reducing the risk of overloads, which is especially important for novice runners.

The updated running power metric, developed with the participation of the professional team of DSM-Firmenich and Eliud Kipchoge, deserves special attention. Unlike traditional pulse monitoring, which records the body's physiological response, running power reflects the athlete's mechanical work. This gives a more accurate idea of the intensity of the load and allows you to adjust the technique — from the frequency of steps to the length of the step and the time of contact with the surface. As a result, the user gets a tool for moving from intuitive training to system analysis and progress management.

The hardware is also designed for long-term use in sports scenarios. The titanium body provides a balance between strength and low weight, which is important for long-term workouts. Autonomy remains one of the key advantages of the device: thanks to the battery with increased energy density, the watch is able to work for up to 14 days in a gentle mode, about a week with standard operation and up to 32 hours with active outdoor training. This indicator covers the needs of not only marathon runners, but also ultra-distance participants.

Marathon Gadget

The functionality of the device is not limited to running. Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 offers comprehensive monitoring of the body's condition, which goes beyond the basic heart rate calculation. The watch allows you to track the dynamics of the heart rate throughout the day, analyze the level of physical activity and recovery after exertion, as well as form a more holistic view of the user's condition based on a set of indicators.

This approach makes the device a tool not only for training, but also for daily health monitoring, which is especially important during regular exercise and preparation for competitions.

Additionally, device compatibility has been expanded. The watch works correctly with both Android and iOS smartphones, ensuring stable data synchronization through the Huawei Health app. The user gets access to all key functions, from downloading training plans to analyzing statistics, regardless of the mobile platform used. This reduces the barrier of entry for a new audience and makes the device less tied to a specific brand ecosystem.

Additional features include contactless payment via NFC using the FlipUp app, which expands the scenarios of everyday use of the device outside of sports.

The issue price

The manufacturer's stated price in the Russian market is 31,999 rubles, which is above the average segment of smart watches, including due to the premium of the brand itself. In addition, the device retains a pronounced niche orientation: a significant part of its functionality is revealed precisely in running scenarios, whereas for users who are not focused on regular training or preparation for races, some of the features may be redundant.

As a result, we can summarize: Huawei's new product is a specialized tool with an emphasis on measurement accuracy and algorithmic support for the training process — no more and no less. The model forms a link between hardware capabilities and software analytics, offering users a structured approach to running: from the first runs to preparing for competitions. It is suitable even for those who are just taking the first steps towards their marathon career and plan to make this "thousand-mile path" more accessible.