At its global launch event in Madrid, held alongside the Huawei Mate 80 Pro and Huawei MatePad Mini, the company unveiled the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2. This marks Huawei’s return to dedicated professional running watches after a five-year gap. And this time, it is clearly aiming at both elite athletes and serious amateurs.

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Let’s start with pricing. In the UK, the Watch GT Runner 2 costs GBP 350, which is roughly Rs. 42,900. It is already available through Huawei’s official UK website. Buyers can choose between Dawn Orange, Dusk Blue, and Midnight Black. There is no confirmation yet on availability in other markets, but broader rollout announcements are expected soon.

Design-wise, Huawei has gone premium. The watch features a titanium alloy case, bezel, crown, and buttons. It weighs around 34.5 grams without the strap and measures 43.5 by 43.5 by 10.7 mm, keeping it lightweight for long runs. The breathable AirDry woven strap is claimed to improve airflow by 25 per cent, and there is also a fluoroelastomer strap option.

Up front, you get a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with 466 by 466 resolution and peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits. Huawei is using second-generation Kunlun Glass for added durability, which should help during outdoor training sessions.

The biggest highlight, however, is what is inside.

Huawei has introduced a new 3D floating antenna architecture that it says improves GPS positioning accuracy by 20 per cent compared to earlier models. The watch supports dual-band L1 and L5 GPS along with GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, and NavIC. It can also continue calculating distance and routes even when signals drop temporarily in tunnels or dense urban areas.

For runners, Huawei has added an Intelligent Marathon Mode developed in partnership with the DSM Firmenich Running Team. The watch offers structured training plans, personalised race preparation, and real-time race data. You can monitor pace, predicted finish times, and how far ahead or behind your target you are during workouts.

Advanced metrics include lactate threshold, running power, and a running ability index. There is also a digital pacer and fuelling reminders to help with long-distance efforts. After a run, the Huawei Health app provides recovery insights and form analysis.

Beyond running, the Watch GT Runner 2 supports more than 100 sports modes. These include trail running, swimming, cycling, golf with access to over 17,000 courses in select regions, and freediving up to 40 metres. It comes with 5 ATM and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance.

Health features are extensive as well. The watch includes ECG monitoring, heart rate variability analysis, blood oxygen tracking, sleep monitoring with breathing awareness, and stress measurement.

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On the smart features side, you get Bluetooth calling, NFC payments, standalone music playback, and QR code scanning. It supports wireless charging, and Huawei claims up to 14 days of battery life under light usage, around 7 days with typical use, and up to 32 hours in outdoor workout mode with precise positioning turned on.

Overall, the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 feels like a serious attempt to win back performance-focused runners, combining premium materials, detailed training tools, and long battery life in a lightweight package.