The smartwatch market is dominated by two key players: Apple and Huawei. While the Apple Watch Series 7 represents the pinnacle of smartwatch integration within the iOS ecosystem, the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro carves a niche with its exceptional battery life and broader OS compatibility. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, charging, and the implications of their respective ecosystems.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing battery life and OS flexibility, the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro is the clear winner. However, the Apple Watch Series 7 offers a more seamless experience for iPhone users, with a faster processor and deeper integration with Apple’s health and app ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 10. Released 2020, October 05 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, October 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic back, titanium frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46.7 x 46.7 x 11.4 mm (1.84 x 1.84 x 0.45 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 52 g (1.83 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.39 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Kirin A1 | Apple S7 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | Huawei Lite OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 32MB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (China only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 455 mAh | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Night Black, Nebula Gray | Graphite, Gold, Silver |
| Models | VID-B19 | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (multiple days)
- Broad OS compatibility (Android & iOS)
- Traditional watch aesthetic
- Less powerful processor than Apple S7
- Limited app ecosystem compared to watchOS
Apple Watch Series 7
- Faster processor (Apple S7)
- Seamless integration with iOS ecosystem
- Advanced health tracking features
- Requires daily charging
- Limited to iOS compatibility
Display Comparison
While specific display specs like brightness and resolution aren't provided, the Apple Watch Series 7 benefits from a larger display area and likely higher peak brightness compared to the GT 2 Pro. The Series 7’s display is also rumored to utilize LTPO technology, enabling a variable refresh rate for improved power efficiency. The GT 2 Pro, while offering a quality display, likely prioritizes power conservation over absolute visual fidelity. Bezels are likely thinner on the Series 7, contributing to a more modern aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch is primarily focused on camera capabilities, and detailed camera specs are absent. Both are likely to offer minimal camera functionality, primarily for quick snapshots or remote control of a paired phone’s camera. The absence of detailed camera information suggests this isn’t a key differentiating factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Apple Watch Series 7 boasts the Apple S7, a dual-core processor designed specifically for wearable applications. This provides a significant performance advantage over the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro’s Kirin A1. While the Kirin A1 is capable, the S7’s architecture and optimization for watchOS translate to smoother animations, faster app loading times, and more responsive interactions. The S7’s performance is further enhanced by the likely use of faster LPDDR5x RAM, though specific RAM amounts aren’t provided. Thermal management is likely superior on the Apple Watch due to its more efficient chipset.
Battery Life
This is where the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro shines. While the exact mAh capacity isn’t specified, Huawei consistently prioritizes battery life in its wearables. The Kirin A1 chipset, combined with software optimizations, allows the GT 2 Pro to achieve multi-day battery life with typical usage. The Apple Watch Series 7, despite offering wireless charging with a 0-80% charge in 45 minutes, requires daily charging for most users. The faster charging speed of the Series 7 mitigates the inconvenience, but the GT 2 Pro’s longevity is a significant advantage for users who dislike frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro if you need multi-day battery life, prefer a more traditional watch aesthetic, and aren’t heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. It’s ideal for Android users or those seeking a smartwatch that isn’t tied to a specific phone brand. Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 if you’re an iPhone user who values a responsive user interface, advanced health tracking features, and seamless integration with Apple’s services, and are willing to charge it more frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin A1 chipset struggle with demanding apps or complex watch faces on the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro?
While the Kirin A1 isn't as powerful as the Apple S7, it handles standard smartwatch functions and most watch faces without issue. However, highly complex watch faces with numerous complications or graphically intensive apps may experience some lag or slowdown. It's optimized for efficiency rather than raw processing power.
❓ How does the Apple Watch Series 7's 0-80% charge in 45 minutes compare to the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro's charging speed?
The Apple Watch Series 7's faster charging is a convenience, but the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro's significantly longer battery life reduces the need for frequent charging. While the GT 2 Pro's charging time isn't specified, it's likely slower than the Series 7, but this is offset by the extended usage time between charges.
❓ If I'm an Android user, will I lose significant functionality by choosing the Apple Watch Series 7?
Yes. The Apple Watch Series 7 is designed primarily for use with iPhones. While basic timekeeping functions will work with an Android phone, you'll miss out on key features like notifications, app integration, and health data synchronization. The Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro offers full compatibility with both Android and iOS.
