Is Huawei Watch 2 Sport Still Worth Buying in 2024? Complete Review
Let me be honest with you - when I first strapped the Huawei Watch 2 Sport onto my wrist back in 2017, I never imagined I'd still be wearing it regularly in 2024. Yet here we are, seven years later, and this aging smartwatch continues to surprise me in ways I didn't expect. Much like how Chot Reyes finds himself perplexed by TNT's early struggles in the PBA Philippine Cup, many tech enthusiasts seem equally confused about whether this veteran wearable still deserves a spot in today's crowded smartwatch market. The parallels are striking - just as Reyes needs to diagnose what's working and what isn't with his basketball team, we need to objectively evaluate what this watch brings to the table after all these years.
Let's start with the elephant in the room - the design. The Huawei Watch 2 Sport looks decidedly dated compared to modern smartwatches. That chunky 45mm case feels substantial on the wrist, and the bezel appears thicker than what we've grown accustomed to with recent models. The ceramic bezel ring with those minute markers gives it a sporty yet functional aesthetic that somehow manages to avoid looking completely outdated. I've grown to appreciate its utilitarian charm, though I won't pretend it competes visually with today's sleeker offerings. The always-on display, while not as vibrant as current AMOLED screens, remains perfectly readable in direct sunlight - something even some modern watches struggle with.
Where this watch genuinely surprised me is in its day-to-day performance. Powered by the Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset with 768MB of RAM, it handles basic tasks without significant lag. Notification delivery is prompt, and navigating through menus feels reasonably responsive. The 420mAh battery typically gives me about two days of mixed usage - that's with always-on display disabled, continuous heart rate monitoring active, and about 45 minutes of GPS tracking for daily runs. Compared to my Apple Watch Series 8 that barely lasts a day, this endurance feels almost luxurious. Huawei's decision to stick with Wear OS means you still get access to essential apps like Google Pay, Spotify, and basic fitness tracking through Google Fit.
The fitness tracking capabilities, while basic by today's standards, remain surprisingly competent. The optical heart rate sensor provides readings within 5-8% of my Polar H10 chest strap during steady-state cardio, though it struggles more with interval training. GPS acquisition takes about 25-35 seconds on average - not instant, but acceptable for casual runners. Where it falls short is in the software experience. Huawei's fitness app lacks the sophisticated analytics of modern platforms, and the absence of advanced metrics like training load or recovery time makes it less useful for serious athletes. Still, for someone who just wants to track daily activity and basic workouts, it gets the job done.
Connectivity is another area where the Watch 2 Sport shows its age. The lack of LTE means you're tethered to your phone for most functions, and Bluetooth 4.1 feels sluggish compared to modern implementations. However, the inclusion of NFC for contactless payments continues to work flawlessly with Google Pay. I've used it at grocery stores, coffee shops, and even public transportation without issues. The watch also maintains a stable connection with Android phones, though iPhone users might experience occasional synchronization delays.
What fascinates me most about using this watch in 2024 is observing how its limitations have reshaped my relationship with wearable technology. Without constant notifications and sophisticated health monitoring, I find myself using it more intentionally rather than obsessively checking every metric. It serves as a reliable timepiece that happens to track my steps and notify me of important messages - a refreshingly straightforward approach in an era of increasingly complex wearables. The watch's durability has been impressive too - after seven years of near-daily wear, the ceramic bezel shows minimal scratches, and the silicone strap, while replaced once, has held up remarkably well.
The software situation presents the biggest challenge. Running Wear OS 2.x means missing out on recent updates and newer applications. Some newer watch faces won't install properly, and app support is gradually dwindling as developers focus on newer platforms. However, the core functionality remains intact, and Google's continued support for basic services means you're not completely left behind. It's similar to how veteran coaches like Chot Reyes must work with their existing roster - you learn to maximize what you have rather than constantly chasing the newest features.
After seven months of using the Huawei Watch 2 Sport as my primary smartwatch in 2024, I've reached a somewhat unexpected conclusion. For someone seeking an affordable secondary smartwatch or dipping their toes into wearable technology, it represents remarkable value at its current second-hand prices of around $50-80. The combination of reliable basic fitness tracking, Google Pay support, and two-day battery life creates a compelling package that many budget-oriented users would appreciate. However, for those deeply invested in the Apple or Samsung ecosystems, or users requiring advanced health monitoring, modern alternatives clearly offer superior experiences. The Huawei Watch 2 Sport in 2024 is like a reliable veteran player - it may not have the flashy moves of newer models, but it consistently delivers where it matters most. Sometimes, as both sports and technology teach us, the most effective solution isn't always the newest or shiniest one.