Winner: Huawei Watch GT 2
The former flagship smartwatch from Huawei is simply better designed and has better software compared to the entry-level TicWatch E2.
TicWatch E2 vs. Huawei Watch GT 2
There are lots of great options when it comes to budget smartwatches. But one brand that always stood out in this price segment is Huawei.
Their GT 2 and GT 2e watches that we have reviewed have stood the test of time and offer everything you would ever need in a budget smartwatch.
However, there are some users who are looking for more advanced functionality and customizability in their watches. And for Android users, the most powerful platform is the Wear OS platform. But the thing is, there are very few budget Wear OS smartwatches that perform well.
Mobvoi has tried to address this with the TicWatch E2 and S2. And if you would like to learn more, check out our full review of the TicWatch E2 and TicWatch S2.
In this article, we will be comparing the budget Wear OS-based TicWatch E2 against Huawei’s former flagship Huawei Watch GT 2. And hopefully, we will answer whether or not a budget Wear OS smartwatch is worth getting.
Please note, we purchased the TicWatch E2 was bought directly from mobvoi.com on 03/04/2021, click here to check their current prices.
TicWatch Brand Overview
Mobvoi Information Technology Company Limited is a tech company based in Beijing, China. They were founded in 2012 by Google AI experts, Nokia employees, and researchers from top universities such as Harvard and Cambridge. The primary goal of this company is the integration and advancement of voice AI communication.
Some of their revolutionary products include voice search engines featured on WeChat. Mobvoi has also developed its own voice search app engine called Chumenwenwen.
It was in 2014 when Mobvoi started venturing into the consumer electronics market. They developed an Android-based smartwatch operating system called TicWear OS. And soon after, they worked together with Frog Design to release the TicWatch.
The TicWatch brand differentiated itself from other smartwatches by having a strong integration with their AI technology. Its launch was very successful and only trails behind the Apple Watch in the domestic Chinese market.
Today, Mobvoi continues to bring their expertise to the smartwatch market with the newer versions of the TicWatch. And with each new iteration, TicWatch gets one step closer to fulfilling its dream of ushering in the next generation of human and computer interaction.
Huawei Brand Overview
Huawei is no stranger to the smartwatch market. They have made successful smartwatches in the past, such as the original Huawei Watch and Huawei Watch GT. However, the success of their watches has largely been overshadowed by the success of their smartphones.
Their wearables have been mostly a side project in the past. However, in recent years, they have been consistently revamping their lineup and are proving to be a fierce competitor in the smartwatch market. This is evident with the successful release of the Watch GT Series.
Huawei has most notably moved away from Google’s Wear OS platform and has developed its proprietary operating system called the Huawei Light OS. Their current lineup is simple and is easy to follow. It consists of the flagship Watch GT 2, the midrange Watch GT 2, and the original Watch GT (which may be discontinued in the future).
You can learn more about Huawei’s history and product lineup in our Huawei Brand Overview.
🏆 #1 Best Overall
- Heart Rate and Sleep Monitoring: The Fitness Tracker monitors your heart rate automatically all day, and you can select manual mode through the App. The fitness Watch also monitors your sleep at night, providing a detailed analysis of your sleep quality (deep sleep, light sleep, awake time). It is a health advisor for women men in daily life.
- Multi Sport Modes with Activity Tracking: The fitness tracker features 9 sport modes like running, walking and more. Additionally, the activity tracker records daily steps, calories burned, walking distance and active time throughout the day. You can also set a daily steps goals through the App to track your progress.
- Smart Notification Reminder: You can get SMS messages, and SNS notifications directly on your wrist including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail ect. You won't miss any important calls and message and stay updated. Please note: the smart watch can not make calls or text.
- Long Battery Life and IP68 Waterproof: This smart watch only requires 2 hours of charging and can be used for 5-7 days continuously, IP68 waterproof rating can withstand daily sweat, washing hands and rainy day, allowing you to fully enjoy your workouts.
- More Functions & Compatibility: Fitness watch comes with multiple smart functions such as stopwatch, alarm clock, breathing guide and sedentary alert, enhancing convenience to your daily routine. The tracker is compatible with iPhone Android Phones which run on iOS 8.0 or Android OS 4.0 & Bluetooth 4.0 or above. Please note that it is not compatible with tablets or computers.
Packaging and Unboxing Experience
Winner: Tie
Both watches do not disappoint when it comes to their unboxing experience. The Huawei Watch GT 2’s packaging is very similar to their high-end smartphones. The box has an all-black finish with a gorgeous photo of the watch in the front.
Everything inside is neatly arranged, and each accessory has its own component. The TicWatch E2 also takes a similar approach by also having a clean and minimalistic presentation.
The E2 comes in a small and compact box. It has all the details, such as the specs on the sides, and has a very nice image of the watch on the front. The unboxing is rather straightforward, but the presentation is very impressive since it mimics that of a premium wristwatch.
There is no clear winner here since both brands exhibit impressive design language in their boxes.
Design and Build Quality
Overall Winner: Huawei Watch GT 2
Both of these watches are completely different when it comes to their design and build quality. The reason for this massive disparity is due to how each smartwatch is marketed.
The TicWatch E2 is a budget-priced smartwatch that is meant to act as the gateway to the TicWatch experience. The Huawei Watch GT 2, on the other hand, is meant to give a premium smartwatch experience that perfectly complements Huawei’s smartphones. The difference in each company’s design philosophy is clearly reflected with these two watches.
Mobvoi has opted for a simpler approach with the TicWatch E2. The E2 has a more basic build and utilizes plastic for the majority of its watch case. The overall design does look clean and minimalistic but lacks any appeal or wow factor.
The use of plastic does, however, significantly decrease the weight of the watch. This makes it comfortable to wear for all-day use and for working out. Mobvoi has also stated that the E2 has a US Military Standard 810G Rating, which ensures its durability.
The TicWatch E2 features a single button on the side. It feels tactile and great to press. However, having only one button seems like a major misstep, especially since having additional buttons would vastly make navigating Wear OS a lot easier.
The Huawei Watch GT 2, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of the TicWatch E2. Everything from its aesthetics to its build quality is clearly superior.
The Huawei Watch GT 2 uses aluminum and plastic for its watch case. It is still lightweight but does add some heft to give it a premium feel.
Unlike the TicWatch E2, the Huawei Watch GT 2 has bezel markings and has a 3D curved display. And when it is placed side by side with the TicWatch E2, there is simply no competition. The Huawei Watch GT 2 easily feels more expensive than its asking price.
Rank #2
- Personalized Watch Faces with Practical Tools: The fitness watch for women comes with theme dials and you can personalize the watch face to your liking and customize the display content. Brightness adjustment make you an optiomal experience based on environment change. The smartwatch features practical tools such as stopwatch, timer, music control, breathing training, night mode, alarm clock and wrist up awake, giving more convenience and fun to your life.
- Healthy Monitor on Your Wrist: The smartwatch monitors your heart rate in real time and you can view recorded data on the watch or App. Our watch also allows for manual detection of blood oxygen. Besides, the fitness watch tracks your sleep status automatically, including light sleep, deep sleep and awake time, helping you develop healthy sleep habits and improve sleep quality.
- Multiple Sport Modes with Waterproof: Our fitness watch is equipped with 10 different sports modes suan as yoga, walking, running, ect, tracking automatically your steps, distance, calorie burn, and activity time. The smartwatch also can track your outdoor workout route if connected with your smartphone's GPS. The sport watch features IP68 waterproof rating, ensuring that it can withstand sweat, hand washing, or rain in daily life, and is also suitable for swimming and diving.
- Get Notified on Smartwatches: The smart watch receives incoming call and notifications from SMS, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp etc, This helps you stay up-to-date and avoid missing important information. (The watch can not make calls or text back). The watch also has a sedentary reminder function and you can create reminders for drinking water, meetings, dinners, appointments and more in the alarm settings, enjoying a healthier lifestyle and a well-planned schedule.
- Long-lasting battery and Extensive Compatibility: The smart watch will take 2 hours to charge and last for up to 7 days of continuous use or 30 days standby time. The watch is compatible with smartphones that run on iOS 10.0 or Android OS 5.0 and have Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. Please note that it is not compatible with tablets or computers.
Display Quality
Winner: Huawei Watch GT 2
Fortunately, unlike its build quality, the TicWatch E2 has a great-looking AMOLED display. Its display is clear and vibrant and can easily be seen outdoors. The images are also sharp, making text easy to read.
Additionally, the TicWatch E2 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 to protect its screen. This gives its users confidence in using it in outdoor activities.
But with that said, the Huawei Watch GT 2 clearly edges out the TicWatch E2, thanks to its beautiful curved display. Using the touchscreen is a treat, especially since the edges are very smooth. The AMOLED display is also bright and vibrant, which truly makes watch faces pop.
The only disadvantage with the GT 2’s display is that it has no official glass protection. However, we have been using it for more than a year, and it has held up very well despite seeing lots of accidental bumps.
Features
Winner: TicWatch E2
The biggest reason to purchase the TicWatch E2 is, of course, Wear OS. And with Wear OS., you are getting the best feature set out of any smartwatch at this price point.
The TicWatch E2 is running the latest version of Wear OS, which gives it access to lots of first-party Google apps as well as third-party apps from different developers. This basically makes the TicWatch E2 a miniature Android device.
Of course, the TicWatch E2 does not skimp out on the basics. It has great built-in fitness and health tracking features through TicHealth and Google Fit, it has built-in GPS, It has basic features such as alarm, timer, weather, find my phone, and it has good notification support.
But what sets the E2’s notification system apart from its competitors is its ability to respond to certain notifications such as text messages. Additionally, you can use different input methods such as your voice or your onscreen keyboard.
And since it has a microphone, it also has access to the Google Assistant. Unfortunately, you cannot use the watch for calls since it doesn’t have a speaker. Google Assistant’s responses will also have to be read manually.
The Huawei Watch GT 2 is also no slouch when it comes to its feature set. It also covers the basics and even adds unique features such as the compass. However, its more basic operating system is no match compared to the more advanced features of the TicWatch E2.
Unlike the E2, the GT 2 cannot install applications. Huawei does add new features via software updates. But this, of course, is not as convenient as having the freedom to add the apps that you want. The only perk here is that every new feature that is added is already tested and optimized by Huawei.
One feature that the Watch GT 2 has that the E2 doesn’t is the ability to make and answer calls. Also, Huawei’s voice assistant Celia is planned to be added via a future software update.
There are some omissions in both watches. The TicWatch E2 and the Huawei Watch GT 2 both lack a speaker. Also, both watches lack NFC for cashless transactions. Huawei does not offer this in any of its watches. Mobvoi, on the other hand, has support for Google Pay through their higher-end watches.
Rank #3
- 【24/7 Heart Rate Monitor 】This blood pressure watch supports real-time dynamic heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure ,Sleep Tracking,temperature monitoring so you can know more about your physical condition.
- 【Sleep Tracking 】The Smart watches monitors your sleep and analyzes your sleep quality through Deep Sleep, Light Sleep, Awake stage, gives you a nightly sleep score in the app, leading a healthy lifestyle.
- 【25 Sport Modes Activity Tracker】you can select any number of sports modes in the app as your exclusive sports mode to record your sports data.can record all daily health data such as steps, distance, and calorie consumption in the App "Keep Health"
- 【1.10 inch AMOLED HD Touchscreen】 The durable stainless steel frame of C60 pairs flawlessly with the Skin-friendly fitness straps, while its 1.10 inch AMOLED HD Touch Color Screen design and multitude of invigorating watch faces blow you away any moment
- 【Smart Functions】An easy-to-use activity fitness tracker with various intelligent features. Including Call & Message Reminder,Remote Photograph, Drink Water Reminder, Sedentary Reminder, Female Health,Family Health, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, Find Device, etc
Health and Fitness Tracking
Winner: Tie
Both of these watches do a great job when it comes to health and fitness tracking. This is despite the fact that both aren’t designed specifically for these tasks.
Both watches have reliable heart rate tracking with accurate results thanks to their optical heart rate sensor. They also have a fast and reliable GPS.
Additionally, both the GT 2 and E2 have their own unique features. The GT 2 stress tracking and period tracking. The E2, on the other hand, has several breathing exercises and relaxation features right out of the box.
In terms of workout features, both watches have plenty of activities. However, with the TicWatch E2, you can add more fitness activities via the Play Store.
The main difference between these two watches is that Google and Mobvoi’s apps come pre-installed with the TicWatch E2. And while this may seem good, the major downside is that managing data between these apps make the experience less seamless.
Huawei, on the other hand, has a more cohesive experience since everything is handled by the Huawei Health App.
The biggest omission from the TicWatch E2 is the lack of sleep tracking. This isn’t Mobvoi’s fault since Google has not implemented this feature natively in Wear OS. There are some apps that you can try in the Play Store. However, we did not find one that worked as well as GT 2.
Also, you probably don’t need sleep tracking with the E2 due to its battery life. We will be talking more about that in the battery life section of this comparison.
Overall, both watches have their pros and cons when it comes to health and fitness tracking. But at the end of the day, both perform well and will surely satisfy most users’ needs.
Watch Software Performance
Overall Winner: Huawei Watch GT 2
Based on the feature set, you might think that the TicWatch E2 also beats the Huawei Watch GT 2 in terms of software performance. However, this is not the case.
Given that the TicWatch E2 is a budget smartwatch, there are bound to be compromises. But unfortunately, those compromises were made in the hardware of the E2, which directly affects the software performance.
The TicWatch E2 utilizes the older Snapdragon 2100 processor and only pairs it with 500 MB of RAM. These aren’t enough to run Wear OS smoothly. And as a result, navigation feels very sluggish.
The E2 sometimes drops frames during navigation. Opening both built-in and third-party apps is also slow. And worst of all, opening apps such as the Google Play Store sometimes leads to a crash.
The watch is still usable. And there are even some ways to potentially speed up the Wear OS experience. You can go to developer options to adjust animations. However, we believe that a good product should be ready to go out of the box and should not need user modifications to make it usable.
The Huawei Watch GT 2, on the other hand, is much faster thanks to its more efficient software and hardware. Huawei’s in-house Kirin A1 processor is optimized to run well with the software. And as a result, you get a very stable and reliable system that is free from random crashes.
The GT 2’s performance is still not perfect. We do get some occasional framerate drops from time to time. However, this is far more tolerable than the TicWatch E2’s very laggy performance.
Rank #4
- Multi-Functional Sports Tracking & 100+ Sport Modes:The fitness watch is equipped with more than 100 sports modes, such as walking, running, swimming, hiking, cycling, mountaineering, yoga, etc. Accurately record all-day activities, this fitness tracker for men and women is waterproof with an IP68 rating, you can safely wear it for swimming, washing hands and showering. However, it is not recommended to use it in hot water (sauna) or sea water (diving).
- All Day Health Monitoring:This smartwatch for Android and Iphone (Please note: it requires iOS 9.0 and above and Android 6.0 operating system) is equipped with advanced sensors that provide insights to help you better understand your health and adjust your lifestyle. It not only can monitors your health indicators (heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep), but also records women's menstrual period. It can also automatically monitor your sleep status and provide a comprehensive sleep quality analysis to help you have a better sleep.
- Smart Notifications & Bluetooth Calling:Make and receive calls directly from your smartwatch with SMS and calling features through the built-in microphone. Stay connected to SMS and app messages (text, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) and never miss anything important. The AI Voice feature on this smartwatch lets you free your hands to control music playback, check the weather, set alarms, timers, and more by just speaking into your watch (message replies are not supported).
- Variety of Watch Faces & Customization Options:This multifunctional smartwatch is equipped with a 1.27-inch round full touch screen, which brings you a refined visual experience and a better appearance experience. You can upload your favorite pictures as the watch face. It contains many daily practical functions that you can choose by yourself, such as message reminders, weather forecasts, music control, stress monitoring, alarm settings, stopwatch, timer, sedentary reminders, breathing guidance, raise to wake, find phone, adjustable brightness, etc.
- Worry-free after-sales services:KEEPONFIT smartwatch supports SMS and call functions, and is seamlessly compatible with most iOS 9.0 and above and Android 6.0 and above smartphones (only for smartphones, not for PC, laptop or iPad), plz make sure download the VeryFit App and turn the bluetooth on before you connect it to your phone.Making it a great gift for boyfriends and girlfriends! We are committed to providing you with the best service, if you have any questions, please feel free to let us know, our professional technical team will serve you within 24 hours!
Battery Life
Winner: Huawei Watch GT 2
In terms of battery life, Huawei is the clear winner here. The Watch GT 2 can easily last up to two weeks. And even when using features such as AOD and GPS, it will still last for at least a week.
The TicWatch E2, on the other hand, only managed to survive for two days. And in most scenarios where we used most of its features, it already needed a recharge by the end of the day.
The charger of the Watch GT 2 is also superior to the TicWatch E2. The GT 2’s magnetic charger featured a removable USB Type-C cable which means that we only needed to carry the small charger if we wanted to take it with us.
This wasn’t the case with the E2’s charger. It featured a non-removable cable which made the cable very bulky. This also means that you have to replace the whole charger if the cable breaks.
Comparison Winner: Huawei Watch GT 2
The TicWatch E2 is a very promising smartwatch when it comes to its features. And if its feature set and software were executed better, it could have been a massive game-changer.
But sadly, the TicWatch E2 has too many shortcomings for it to be a truly great Wear OS watch. It is still a decent budget smartwatch. But compared to the Huawei Watch GT 2, it is simply no match.
Unless you know what you are getting yourself into, we highly recommend the Huawei Watch GT 2 over the TIcWatch E2. And if you want a better Wear OS experience, we recommend going for the TicWatch C2+ or the TicWatch Pro 3.
💰 Best Value
- 【Superb Visual Experience & Effortless Operation】Diving into the latest 1.58'' ultra high resolution display technology, every interaction on the fitness watch is a visual delight with vibrant colors and crisp clarity. Its always on display clock makes the time conveniently visible. Experience convenience like never before with the intuitive full touch controls and the side button, switch between apps, and customize settings with seamless precision.
- 【Comprehensive 24/7 Health Monitoring】The fitness watches for women and men packs 24/7 heart rate, 24/7 blood pressure and blood oxygen monitors. You could check those real-time health metrics anytime, anywhere on your wrist and view the data record in the App. The heart rate monitor watch also tracks different sleep stages for light and deep sleep,and the time when you wake up, helps you to get a better understanding of your sleep quality.
- 【120+ exercise modes & All-Day Activity Tracking】There are more than 120 exercise modes available in the activity trackers and smartwatches, covering almost all daily sports activities you can imagine, gives you new ways to train and advanced metrics for more information about your workout performance. The all-day activity tracking feature monitors your steps, distance, and calories burned all the day, so you can see how much progress you've made towards your fitness goals.
- 【Messages & Incoming Calls Notification】With this smart watch fitness trackers for iPhone and android phones, you can receive notifications for incoming calls and read messages directly from your wrist without taking out your phone. Never miss a beat, stay in touch with loved ones, and stay informed of important updates wherever you are.
- 【Essential Assistant for Daily Life】The fitness watches for women and men provide you with more features including drinking water and sedentary reminder, women's menstrual period reminder, breath training, real-time weather display, remote camera shooting, music control,timer, stopwatch, finding phone, alarm clock, making it a considerate life assistant. With the GPS connectivity, you could get a map of your workout route in the app for outdoor activity by connecting to your phone GPS.
Specifications
Huawei GT2 |
Mobvoi TicWatch E2 |
|
| Brand | Huawei | Mobvoi |
| Model | GT2 | TicWatch E2 |
| Screen Size | 1.39” AMOLED Display | 1.39 ”AMOLED Display |
| Screen Protection | No Official Certification | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Screen Resolution | 454 x 454 pixel | 400 x 400 pixel |
| Pixel Density | 326 PPI | 407 PPI |
| Input Type | Touch Screen/ Physical Buttons | Touch Screen/ Physical Buttons |
| Watch Dimensions | 46.9 x 52.2 x 12.9 mm | 46.9 x 52.2 x 12.9 mm |
| Weight | 53.2 grams | 53.2 grams(with strap) 34.4g (without strap) |
| Watch Case Material | Stainless Steel + Plastic | Polycarbonate |
| Bezel Material | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate |
| Watch Design | Circular | Circular |
| Strap Size | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Watch Colors | Matte Black, Pebble Brown | Black |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof (5ATM) | Waterproof (5ATM) |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| NFC | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| GPS | GPS/GLONASS/Beidou | With GLONASS |
| CONNECTIVITY Wi-fi |
No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| SENSORS Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | No |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes | No |
| SPO2 | Yes | No |
| Elevation | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Light | No | No |
| Barometer | No | No |
| FITNESS TRACKING Sleep tracking |
Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors Climbed | No | No |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygen | Yes | No |
| Blood Pressure | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle tracking | Yes | No |
| Swim tracking | No | No |
| Underwater heart rate tracking |
No | No |
| On-screen workout modes | No | No |
| Triathlon mode | Yes | No |
| ECG tracking | No | No |
| Preloaded sport modes | Yes | Yes |
| Safety tracking | No | No |
| Battery Life | 7-14 Days | Standby: 2 days+; Mixed usage: 1 day+ |
| Battery Technology | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Charging Time | About 1-2 Hours | About 1-2 Hours |
| Charging Type | USB based charging dock | USB based charging dock |
| Compatible OS | Android iOS |
Android iOS |
| NOTIFICATIONS Email Alert |
Yes | Yes |
| SMS Alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls Alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event Reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Weather | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party Apps | No | Yes |
| MEDIA Audio |
mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
| Music Streaming | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Music | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| Loud Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| CLOCK FEATURES Time/Date |
Yes | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes | Yes |
| OTHER FUNCTIONS Control camera | Yes | Yes |
| Music Control | Yes | Yes |
| Find Phone | Yes | Yes |
| Text Response | No | Yes(Android Only) |
| Answer Call | Yes | Yes |
| MISC Payment System |
No | No |
| Companion App | Huawei Health | Mobvoi App |
| Customizable watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Interchangeable band | Yes | Yes |
| Voice command | Yes | Yes |
| Internal Storage | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Operating system | Huawei Lite OS | Wear OS by Google™ |