Google's Android Wear 2.0 needs a solid smartwatch to show off its prowess, and the new Huawei Watch 2 may be just it.
Launching in the United States at a starting price of $300, the powerful Huawei Watch 2.0 comes in two models and bundles a free Google Play Music 10-week trial.
Android Wear 2.0, meanwhile, is a notable upgrade compared to the original software and packs a slew of neat features, but it had a somewhat rocky start. Google delayed the release for a few months, and it finally launched the new OS back in February, with a couple of LG smartwatches.
Options have been pretty sparse since then, but the new Huawei Watch 2 finally makes things more exciting. The gadget comes as a fitness-focused smartwatch specifically designed for Android Wear 2.0. The Huawei Watch 2.0 made its debut at the Mobile World Congress 2017, marking a great departure from the original Huawei Watch, and it's now on sale in the United States.
Huawei Watch 2.0 Highlights
The Huawei Watch 2.0 sports a new design that strays quite a bit from its predecessor, which may be a drawback for some. The smartwatch packs a heart rate sensor, GPS, NFC for Android Pay, a 420 mAh battery, 768 MB of RAM, and IP60 water resistance, among the highlights. It has a 1.8-inch diameter and the ratio of a regular watch and rocks a circular AMOLED display with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels.
Compared to the original Huawei Watch, however, the new iteration looks quite bulky. Then again, Huawei is marketing its new smartwatch as a suitable companion for fitness buffs, ready to help track workouts and help motivate users.
The Huawei Watch 2 comes with the expected Google Fit perks, but it also makes use of its slew of sensors to closely monitor the wearer's activity levels by keeping tabs on steps, exercise, standing times throughout the day, heart rate, and more.
"In a world where technology is woven into every part of our daily lives, consumers want a smartwatch that meets their connected needs without compromising style," says Robin Zhu, the president of Huawei Device USA. "What we've achieved with the HUAWEI WATCH 2 is a smart, cutting-edge wearable with advanced fitness and scientific health functions, online and offline music — perfect for active people enjoying life's everyday adventures."
Huawei Watch 2 Pricing, Options, And Availability
The Huawei Watch 2 comes in two options — Standard and Classic. The regular model costs $300 and is available in Carbon Black or Concrete Grey color options. The Classic variant will launch later on at a higher price of $370 and will only be available in a Titanium Grey color option. Neither model will have cellular-enabled features in the United States.
As previously mentioned, customers who purchase the Huawei Watch 2 will also get a free 10-week subscription to Google Play Music to sweeten the deal. Once the free trial period expires, users can either cancel the service or start paying to keep using it.
The Huawei Watch 2.0 is available at more than 800 Best Buy stores nationwide and on Best Buy's website, as well as online from Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Newegg, Walmart, and Target. Exact availability may vary by retailer.
