When I first unboxed the Huawei Watch 2 Sport back in 2017, I remember being genuinely impressed by its blend of fitness tracking and smart features. Seven years later, as I strap it on again in 2024, I find myself asking the same question many potential buyers are probably wondering: is this aging smartwatch still worth your hard-earned money? Much like Chot Reyes trying to diagnose what ails TNT early in its PBA Philippine Cup campaign, we need to dig deep to understand whether this wearable still has what it takes to compete in today's crowded market.
Let me be honest from the start – I've always had a soft spot for Huawei's wearable designs. The Watch 2 Sport arrived during what I'd call the "golden era" of Android-compatible smartwatches, back when manufacturers were still experimenting with different form factors and features. What made it special then, and what continues to make it interesting now, is its unique positioning as both a serious fitness companion and a capable smartwatch. The circular 1.2-inch AMOLED display still looks surprisingly good by today's standards, with decent brightness levels and crisp 390x390 pixel resolution that holds up reasonably well against newer models. Where it starts showing its age, however, is in the bezels – they're noticeably larger than what we've become accustomed to with recent releases from Samsung and Apple.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor inside was quite capable in its day, but in 2024, you'll definitely notice some lag when switching between apps or loading complex watch faces. I timed it opening the heart rate monitor – about 3 seconds compared to the near-instant response of newer watches. The 768MB of RAM feels particularly limiting when you have multiple apps running in the background. It's reminiscent of how even experienced coaches like Chot Reyes can struggle when their team's fundamental components aren't performing at peak levels – the hardware foundation just can't keep up with modern demands as efficiently as it used to.
Where the Watch 2 Sport continues to surprise me is in its health and fitness tracking capabilities. The heart rate monitor provides accuracy within about 95% of my current benchmark, the Apple Watch Series 9, which is impressive for technology that's seven years old. GPS acquisition takes roughly 45 seconds compared to under 10 seconds on modern devices, but once locked, it maintains a stable connection throughout my runs. The built-in fitness coach and multiple sport modes remain genuinely useful, though they lack the sophisticated analytics that current fitness watches provide. Battery life is where this watch really shows its age – with always-on display disabled and moderate use, I'm getting through about 14 hours before needing a recharge, whereas it originally promised up to two days. That's a significant drop-off that potential buyers need to consider seriously.
Software support presents another challenge. Huawei moved away from Google's Wear OS on subsequent models, which means the Watch 2 Sport is stuck on an older version without access to the latest apps and features. While basic notifications and core functions work fine, you won't find newer health features like blood oxygen monitoring or advanced sleep analysis. It's similar to how sports teams need to adapt their strategies over time – what worked brilliantly in 2017 doesn't necessarily translate well to 2024's technological landscape.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room – price and value proposition. I've seen these selling for around $80-$120 in the refurbished market, which positions them as budget options compared to $300+ modern alternatives. At that price point, you're getting decent value if your needs are basic: step counting, heart rate monitoring, notification mirroring, and basic workout tracking. But if you're serious about fitness metrics or want seamless integration with today's smartphone ecosystems, you'll likely find the experience frustrating.
Having tested dozens of smartwatches over the years, I can confidently say the Huawei Watch 2 Sport occupies a unique niche in 2024. It's not for the tech enthusiast who wants the latest features, nor is it ideal for the serious athlete seeking comprehensive data. But for someone dipping their toes into the smartwatch world or needing a reliable secondary device for specific activities, it still holds some appeal. The build quality has held up remarkably well in my unit, and the sporty design hasn't dated as badly as some contemporary smartwatches.
Ultimately, whether the Huawei Watch 2 Sport is worth buying comes down to managing expectations – much like how coaches and fans need to adjust their expectations for teams working through transitional periods. If you approach it as a capable basic smartwatch rather than a cutting-edge device, you might find it surprisingly adequate. But for most people in 2024, spending a bit more for a newer model from Huawei's current lineup or competing brands will provide a significantly better experience that justifies the additional investment. The Watch 2 Sport had its moment in the sun, and while it can still serve specific purposes well, technology has simply moved too far forward for me to recommend it as a primary smartwatch for most users today.
