The Huawei Watch GT 2 is one of the most popular smartwatches of 2020 – even though it is actually not a real smartwatch at all. For example, it cannot install apps on it, and it is also not possible to reply to messages directly. Everything should get better with the new Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro. The watch comes with higher quality materials, offers new and more features, and of course, costs more.
Those who love smartwatches with a classic look will find an attractive alternative in the Zepp Z from Huami. From a purely visual point of view, the Zepp Z has what it takes to play in the upper class of smartwatches. At the proud price of 427 USD, the smartwatch apparently feels called to greater things.
The Zepp Z is equally suitable for owners of an Android smartphone and an iPhone. Of course, we are not only interested in its appearance:
This comparison clarifies how these smartwatches perform in the disciplines of ease of use, features, and battery life. Check out Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro vs Huami Zepp Z.
Pros and Cons
| Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro | Huami Zepp Z |
| Always-on display | Automatic Workout Detection |
| Accurate heart-rate tracking | Outstanding battery life |
| Sleek and lightweight | Sophisticated design |
| SpO2 and stress not hugely useful | No NFC support |
| Double the price of GT2e | Limited smartwatch features |
General
| Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro | Huami Zepp Z | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Huawei | Huami |
| Model | Watch GT 2 Pro | Zepp Z |
| Release date | Oct 5, 2020 | Nov 18, 2020 |
| Compatibility | Android + iOS | Android + iOS |
| Colors | Night Black, Nebula Gray | Brown |
Technical Specifications
| Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro | Huami Zepp Z | |
| Display | AMOLED | Color AMOLED |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| PPI Density | 326 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Sensors | – Accelerometer – Gyro – Heart rate – Barometer – Compass – SpO2 – VO2max | – Geomagnetic – Gyroscope – Capacitive – Air pressure – Accelerometer – Ambient light sensor |
| Battery | 14 days | 30 days |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Water-Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance Depth | 50 m | 10 m |
| Dimensions | 46 x 46 x 11 mm | 46 x 16 x 10.75 mm |
| Weight | 52 grams | 40 g |
Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
The Huawei GT 2 Pro makes the greatest progress compared to the GT 2 without Pro addition in the choice of material. The Pro version comes to the user in dark titanium instead of the stainless steel case, the display is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire glass, and there is ceramic instead of plastic on the underside. Not only does it look much higher quality, but it is also more comfortable to wear. The silicone strap of the Sport Edition shows that the Pro is also designed as a sports watch, while the slightly lighter Classic Edition comes with an alternative leather strap and silicone strap. It gets even more stylish with the Porsche Design Edition, which comes with a titanium bracelet. With this combination, Huawei wants to recommend its watch to athletes (or better: on the wrist) and make them look good in sports jackets. Additional wristbands are not yet available from Huawei,
Chic for the running track and catwalk succeeds. The GT 2’s non-rotating bezel, with the time scale printed on it, like a diver’s watch, has disappeared or at least significantly reduced; the bracelet now merges directly into the case. It is also changeable. The GT 2 is held in place by bars clearly protruding from the case; the Pro is more of a single piece. That looks more modern. At the same time, however, it has become heavier and bigger and thicker – which is exactly what you really don’t want with a smartwatch. In fact, this is only noticeable in direct comparison; it hardly makes a difference in everyday life. Because the Watch GT 2 Pro has become just a little longer and wider, and it has also increased in thickness by just under a millimeter to 11.4 millimeters.
What the pure numbers prove, the manufacturer does not even try to hide with optical tricks in the Pro version. If the already mentioned bezel of the GT 2 is still clearly flattened outwards and even in the silver version, the back is black and hides another part of the actual case thickness when looking from the side, the Pro does without such tricks. Your display is even clearly visible from the housing. The ceramic floor, which is also black here, can no longer gloss over this comparatively bulky screen attachment – despite its sportier appearance, the GT 2 more filigree. It doesn’t help that the edge of the two push buttons on the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro side is finely grooved.
When it comes to the display itself, there are no differences to the normal GT 2 – why should I? After all, the screen also shone in the older watch with its 1.39-inch diameter and sharp display thanks to 456 × 456 pixels and 464 pixels per inch. Thanks to OLED technology, the display is extremely high-contrast, and black, in contrast to the greyish hue of LCDs, is deep black.
Colors are displayed intensely, and the viewing angle stability is excellent. In combination with the good brightness, which can be set in five levels or automatically, users hardly have any problems with readability even in summer with direct sunlight. Then it may be necessary to skip the optional always-on display and switch the display on fully. Otherwise, the AOD is sufficient for a glance at the time.
Huami Zepp Z
The Zepp Z is only available in a 46 mm version. The case is made of a titanium alloy; the brown leather strap is 22 millimeters wide. A classic pin buckle is used as a clasp. If you want, you can exchange the bracelet for any commercially available model. This is especially recommended for athletes.
The Zepp Z, which weighs around 70 grams, is a stylish men’s chronometer that is just under 1.1 centimeters thick, but it fits the characteristics of the watch. By modifying the dials – there are around 50 to choose from – you can give the smartwatch a sportier look.
The craft is high quality; the case consists of a single piece of polished titanium alloy. This makes it light but still stable. A nanotech coating is supposed to make the titanium alloy more resistant to scratches and nicks. The display coating also works quite effectively – it cannot completely avoid fingerprints here, but they are subtle.
The 1.39-inch OLED display of the Zepp Z has a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. That corresponds to 326 pixels per inch. The maximum brightness is 550 nits. In the settings, you can adjust the luminosity individually. At full power, the time and other values can easily be read even in direct sunlight.
The black of the small panel is super-rich; the colors shine and impress with their high dynamics. The viewing angle stability is OLED-specific top as with a television or smartphone with self-illuminating pixels. The sharp display also functions as a touchscreen. An always-on mode is available, so the time can be displayed permanently, which also tugs at the battery. If this function is switched off, you have to tilt your wrist – now, the display is activated after a short delay.
Activity Monitoring
| Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro | Huami Zepp Z | |
| Step counter | Yes | Yes |
| Calories burned | Yes | Yes |
| Distance travelled | No | No |
| Raised floors | No | No |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Measuring stress levels | No | No |
| Date & Time Display | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm Clock | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate measurement | Yes | Yes |
| Calorie intake | No | No |
| Hydration levels | No | No |
| Other Watch Functions | – Make call – Camera Shutter Control – Location Tag – Voice Control | – SpO2 Monitor – Stress Monitor – Sleep Quality Monitor |
Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
The clock theoretically recognizes over 100 sports independently, but experience has shown that we recommend starting measurements manually. The GT 2 Pro lacks that, but in addition to the GT 2 and Fit sports, it also knows how to ski, snowboard and golf. The watch uses artificial intelligence to measure backswing and downswing and the speed of the beat, allowing you to work on it – if you believe Huawei, everyone will become the next Tiger Woods.
In general, the AI supports the many running training sessions and helps to find the right running speed, keep up with the previous run, or achieve certain target times. To do this, the training assistant will give an intermediate result by voice after every kilometer and evaluate how the route section was compared on a scale from -10 to +10. In addition to other evaluations, the athlete can also see whether he is currently in an aerobic or anaerobic state and can adjust his running speed accordingly.
The route back function is new. If you get lost during training, you can use it to find your way back without a smartphone. The watch even offers a simple graphical representation, which can either return to the starting point as before or take a direct route. In addition, the watch also warns of impending weather changes using the built-in barometer.
Huami Zepp Z
Under the menu item “Training,” you will find the twelve disciplines of outdoor running, walking, outdoor cycling, treadmill, spinning, swimming in pools, swimming in open water, cross trainers, climbing, trail running, skiing, and free training on the Zepp Z. Unfortunately, the watch does not recognize activities automatically; these must be selected manually at the start of the training. Thanks to GPS, distances covered can be subsequently tracked on the map. While jogging, you can see heart rate, the number of steps, distance, calories burned, and current and average speed on the watch.
All values are presented in the Zepp app in a graphically appealing and clear manner. Activity rings on the watch help motivate yourself and better pursue goals. The features in this area on the Zepp are easily sufficient for the average athlete.
Smart Features
| Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro | Huami Zepp Z | |
| Smartphone notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless payments | No | No |
| Music storage and playback | No | No |
| Streaming services | No | No |
| Virtual Assistant | No | No |
| Meteorology | Weather forecast | Weather forecast |
Battery
Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
Huawei also specifies a runtime of 14 days for the new GT 2 Pro. Surprisingly: According to the manufacturer, this information is not a theoretical number that cannot achieve in everyday life anyway, but Huawei provides specific information. The watch has a running time of 10 days with activated heart rate monitoring, activated sleep monitoring, 90 minutes of training per week (with GPS), 30 minutes of music playback, Bluetooth activated, notifications activated (50 SMS messages, 6 calls, and 3 alarms per day) and 200- switching on display per day.
The biggest power guzzler is GPS; here, Huawei specifies 30 hours of permanent GPS use as the maximum. The always-on display is always active in our test if possible; the Pro lasts for a good week – an excellent value that the GT 2 had previously achieved. Placing it on the pogo-pin-free charging pad is easier than before, as it is no longer necessary to pay attention to the watch’s orientation. Incidentally, a five-minute charge is enough for up to 10 hours of use, one hour for a full charge.
Huami Zepp Z
There is a 340 mAh battery onboard the smartwatch. This is held magnetically in a small charging cradle and charged within around 2.5 hours – just put it on, and off you go. With intensive use with activated Bluetooth, the battery lasted almost five days in our test. The manufacturer even states 15 days for a “daily usage scenario” – to achieve this value; however, power guzzlers such as Bluetooth or the permanently activated display must be switched off. Like the choice of material and design, this is reminiscent of the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro, which may be a bit more persistent.
