Huawei GT2 vs GT2e – Which Smartwatch To Buy?

Huawei has recently been revamping their smartwatch lineup. After the release of their flagship Watch GT 2 in 2019, they are now back again with the Huawei Watch GT 2e. This new model serves as the new midrange model of the Watch GT 2 lineup and is targeting the younger audience and sports enthusiasts. 
The Watch GT 2e (GT 2 energy) shares a lot of similarities with the flagship Watch GT 2. Both models share the same specs and hardware. However, there are some key differences that may help you choose one over the other. Keep on scrolling to find out which Huawei smartwatch is best for you.  
For this comparison, we will mostly be referring to the 46 mm variant of the Huawei Watch GT 2. The GT 2e does not have a 42 mm variant, so these two will be the closest competitors. 
And for a more in-depth look see our Huawei Watch GT 2 review.
And for those unfamiliar with Huawei’s smartwatch history, make sure to check out our Huawei Brand Review.  

Specs Watch GT 2 vs. GT 2e 

Design and Build Quality 

Design Language 

The biggest difference between these two models is the design. The Huawei Watch GT 2 is the more premium looking device thanks to its smaller bezels, more stylish screen presentation, and button design. Its aesthetics emulate the look of traditional high-end analog watches. 
The GT 2e, on the other hand, has a more modern and arguably more plain-looking design that is more similar to digital watches. It does not feel nor look cheap, but it is missing some fine details and premium design elements from the GT 2. 
Specs-wise, the OLED display used on both units are the same. They both have the same size and resolution. The difference mostly lies in the presentation. The Huawei Watch GT 2 has a 3D curved screen and has a bezel with engraved markings. 
The GT 2e, on the other hand, is missing both the curved display and the markings around it, making the bezel look thicker. It makes the display look cleaner but also plainer looking. This, of course, depends on the user’s personal preference. We will be talking more about the display later in its dedicated section. 
One thing to note is that unlike the Watch GT 2, the GT 2e only has one variant. So if you find the standard 46 mm too large or too heavy, then you are out of luck. The Watch GT 2, on the other hand, has a slimmer 42 mm variant but is lacking a lot of the features found on the GT 2. 

Weight and Dimensions

In terms of the weight and dimensions, the Huawei GT2 is 0.1 mm thinner, 7.1 mm shorter, 0.9 mm narrower, and 2 grams lighter than the Huawei GT2e. It may seem odd at first that the GT 2e is the heavier model given the fact that it is the one designed for sports. But after using both models, I can say that the difference in weight is negligible. 
Both models are relatively light and can be comfortably worn all day. As mentioned in our Huawei Watch GT 2 review, the 46 mm variant is not too heavy nor bulky. This was through the perspective of a female reviewer with a wrist size of 6.5 inches. 

Color Options 

In terms of the color options, the Watch GT 2 only comes in two colors, Matte Black and Pebble Brown. The GT 2e, on the other hand, comes in four colors: Graphite Black, Lava Red, Mint Green, and Icy White. The GT 2e has a wider and more vibrant color section, which is again appealing for the younger audience. 

Display

Both the Huawei Watch GT 2 and GT 2e have the same 1.39 inch AMOLED display with a 454 x 454 HD resolution. The display is bright, vibrant, and sharp in both models making text easy to read regardless of the lighting condition. Both smartwatches also have similar touch screen performances. 
Both the GT 2 and GT 2e accurately registered all of my touch inputs and were similar to the performance of smartphone touch screen sensors. However, it is worth noting that the Huawei Watch GT 2’s screen felt easier to navigate and felt more seamless thanks to the curved 3D glass. It is a subtle addition, but it greatly impacts the user experience. But that is only noticeable when comparing both watches side by side. 
Both models also have Always On Display (AOD) functionality and currently supports four AOD designs. This will deplete the battery faster and disables the raise to wake functionality. The designs are quite limited, but it is reasonable given that not all watch faces may be optimized for this feature. 

Buttons 

Another noticeable difference between the two is the buttons. The number and position of the buttons are still the same on the GT 2e, but what is different is the shape. GT 2 features the crown-like push buttons on the side, which is similar to a classic watch. The GT 2e, on the other hand, went with a flatter design for the buttons. 
This redesign helps the GT 2e to be more comfortable when doing workouts. There is more space for the wrist that helps prevent the buttons from coming into contact with the wrist. It also helps with preventing accidental presses during workouts and in regular use. 
Despite the change in design, the GT 2e’s buttons are still tactile and require a decent amount of force to actuate. The feel of the buttons is on par with each other, so you won’t be left out if you go with the GT 2e. 

Strap

The strap has also been redesigned. The GT 2e’s strap features vent holes that help with ventilation during workouts. The design is seamless since the vent holes also serve as the punch holes for the buckle. The mechanism for attaching the straps has also been changed. Straps designed for the Huawei Watch GT 2 will not be compatible with the GT 2e. 
This new mechanism also means that the GT 2e can no longer be laid flat on a table. This is beneficial for the GT 2e since it will feel more stable on the hand during workouts. It also means that there is no gap between the straps and the smartwatch, which prevents dust from accumulating in that small area. 
Both models come with plenty of strap options both from Huawei and from third party manufacturers. 

Features

Since both smartwatches are running similar hardware and software, most of the features are the same. They both have a flawless wireless performance thanks to the well-implemented Bluetooth 5.1 chip. They also have the same optical heart rate sensor, music playback capability, water resistance, workout modes, pressure level, exercise progress, etc.
There isn’t much difference when looking at the surface. However, there are several hardware features missing on the GT 2e that may impact you depending on how important these features are to you.   
The most noticeable feature missing from the Huawei Watch GT 2e is the built-in microphone and speaker. You can no longer accept calls through the Watch.  Voice prompts for workouts have also been removed, and music playback can only be done through Bluetooth headphones. 
What is interesting is that you can’t answer calls on the GT 2e even when it is paired with Bluetooth headphones. This feature is, of course,  possible with the GT 2. This is useful for people who are listening to music through their smartwatch but are not necessarily close to their smartphones.  
It is worth noting that the Huawei Watch GT 2 does not feature a voice assistant, making the overall microphone functionality more limited. Users who do not use their smartwatches for phone calls may not be bothered too much by its exclusion in the GT 2e. 
Another difference between the two is the GT 2e’s lack of the 3D compass and cadence sensor. The GT 2e offers both of these features, but the results may not be as accurate as the Watch GT 2. 

Health Tracker

The health tracking capabilities of both watches are the same. They are both equipped with the optical heart sensor that is utilizing the Huawei TruSeen 3.5 heart rate monitoring technology that was first introduced with the Watch GT 2. This new sensor boasts faster and more accurate heart rate level monitoring and can do 24-hour heart rate tracking. 
SpO2 level monitoring is also supported by both watches. They also support Huawei TruSleep 2.0 monitoring and the Huawei TruRelax technology. Some of the more in-depth settings can be accessed via the Huawei Health App. 
The Huawei GT 2 originally only had 15 workout modes, which are significantly less than the GT 2e’s 100 workout modes.  However, Huawei has rolled an update and has implemented this on the Watch GT 2 as well.

Battery Life 

As mentioned earlier, both models are utilizing the Kirin A1 and are running the Huawei Light OS. They also have the same 455 mAH battery, which gives both units the same 2-week advertised battery life. Both units have a 2 hour charging time to fully charge the battery.

Watch Software Performance

A lot of manufacturers tend to replace or downgrade the software experience of their lower-end devices. However, this is not the case for the Huawei Watch GT 2 and GT 2e. Since both smartwatches share the same specifications and operating system, the software experience is also similar. 
Navigating through the OS is fast on both smartwatches. There were some slight frame drops when scrolling through menus, but it did not detract from the overall experience. We also did not experience any crashes, which indicate that the software is stable and reliable. 
One thing worth noting is that the Huawei Watch GT 2e only has 16 megabytes of RAM which is half of the GT 2’s RAM. This was not noticeable during screen navigation but may be more obvious when Huawei adds more features to both of these devices. 
Both smartwatches are compatible with the Huawei Health Smartphone App and have access to the same amount of app features. The GT 2e does not seem to have a product photo inside the app and is instead replaced by a generic smartwatch photo. Aside from these, there are no other differences. 
It is worth noting that there are currently some watch faces that are only available on the GT 2e. However, I’d imagine that the GT 2 will also receive them in a future update since they are sharing the same screen dimensions. 
There were also constant firmware updates on both devices. So if you do decide to purchase any of these devices, you won’t be left out once new products launch. 

Comparison Winner

Given how excellent both devices are, it is quite difficult to select a winner. In terms of specs, the clear winner is the Huawei Watch GT 2. It is the device that best defines Huawei’s current generation smartwatch lineup and has the complete feature set.
However, the beauty of Huawei’s current lineup is that you barely lose anything in terms of raw performance if you decide to go with the Watch GT 2e. They are still rocking the same fast Kirin A1 chip and the 2-week battery life. 
If you are someone who has specific sport-related needs, then you will still mostly get the same performance and software experience out of the two. It just comes down to which design you prefer and which design best fits your needs.