The smartwatch market is filled with many options, but among them are models targeted at specific demographics. For those who enjoy running, choosing a smartwatch that does more than record the basics such as distance covered, time taken, and calories burnt is as vital as picking the right kind of running shoes. The Huawei Watch GT Runner or the Garmin Forerunner 55 are great options, but how do they compare?
Huawei and Garmin are both established brands in the wearable market, offering a wide variety of smartwatches and fitness trackers. However, wearables are not the only health-focused products they make, as both companies have also announced smart scales that can measure body composition and help users achieve their health goals.
The Huawei Watch GT Runner and the Garmin Forerunner 55 have a round display, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, stress tracking, support for women's health tracking and app alerts. They also have built-in GNSS support, but while the Watch GT Runner supports five satellite systems, the Forerunner 55 supports three. The Huawei Watch GT Runner is the bigger of the two, with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display that users can operate via touch and buttons. In contrast, the Garmin Forerunner 55' 1.04-inch transflective display is solely controlled by buttons on both sides. Despite the differences in size, the Watch GT Runner is just a gram heavier at 38 grams than the Forerunner 55. Surprisingly, the two watches have the same battery life — up to two weeks in smartwatch mode (or 20 hours in GPS mode).
Huawei Watch GT Runner And Garmin Forerunner 55: Specs And Features
The Watch GT Runner also has a SpO2 sensor for tracking blood oxygen levels, built-in storage for audio files and a speaker so users can take calls on the watch. The Forerunner 55 misses out on a SpO2 sensor but can track respiration and energy levels. Also, it doesn't have built-in storage but can control music playback on a connected device. In terms of running features, Huawei's watch offers a handful. The Running Ability Index accurately assesses a user's running ability based on running heart rate, pace and distance. Training Load is also available on the Garmin Forerunner 55, which helps users figure out the proper training volume and the appropriate time needed to rest. Huawei has added an artificial intelligence running coach that analyses weekly workout data and uses it to adjust running schedules for the following week automatically. The coach also customizes training plans based on gender, height and weight.
A real-time voice trainer provides info on heart rate, pace and current goals via audio alerts while running. Also, users can share running routes with friends (exclusive to Android), map them out and use the return function to return home safely. At the same time, the built-in barometer will provide instant weather alerts and the compass will help users find their bearings. On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner also provides users with guidance from coaches and free training plans based on the user and their goals. Users get daily suggested workouts, a recovery advisor that gives info on how long to rest before the next exercise, and a race predictor that uses training history to foretell performance. There is also Cadence Alert that helps users know when they have gone outside their target cadence range.
Both smartwatches are packed with features targeted at runners, albeit with a few variances. However, their design, particularly their sizes, will significantly influence a buyer's decision. Two other important deciding factors are price and availability. The Huawei Watch GT Runner is priced at €299 (~$340) and bundled with huge discounts on other Huawei products or free gifts in Europe, while the Garmin Forerunner 55 sells for $199 and can be bought in the U.S. The two watches are compatible with Android and iOS, but certain features are exclusive to Android devices.