The Samsung Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active and Galaxy Watch Active 2 are three of the best smartwatches for Android. Each comes with a bevy of health and fitness functionality in addition to expected features like notification delivery. But now each Galaxy Watch model is being challenged by a new wearable from Honor. The Shenzhen-based company recently unveiled its latest wearable – the MagicWatch 2 – and is releasing it in the UK today. The new device is also undercutting any smartwatch offerings from Samsung with a price tag of just £159.99 – that’s £40 cheaper that the regular Galaxy Watch Active.
Aesthetically, the Honor MagicWatch 2 looks very similar to the wearable recently released by its parent company, the Huawei Watch GT 2. That means the device comes with a stainless steel case that’s either left with a glitzy shine or is matte if you’re going for a more subtle look.
Right now only the 46 millimetre version of the MagicWatch 2 is available to purchase but at the start of next year Honor plans to launch a smaller 42 millimetre case for those with dainty wrists. The heftier variant comes with a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, so you’ll be treated to vivid colours and deep blacks.
The Honor MagicWatch 2 doesn’t come pre-installed with Google’s Wear OS operating system. Instead, it arrives with Honor’s proprietary software that features all the native apps you’d expect. The software on offer looks very similar to that of Huawei’s Watch GT 2.
As you’d expect, the Chinese wearable places a big emphasis on fitness and health features. The device is able to track a total of 28 exercises that range from running to indoor swimming, meaning you’ll be fed up to date calorie burn information when you’re breaking a sweat.
Sleep tracking is also included, a feature that still hasn’t launched on the vaunted Apple Watch. In addition to counting how many hours you’re getting, the MagicWatch 2 is also able to diagnose 6 common types of sleeping disorders. Impressive right?
There’s also a number of other features on the MagicWatch 2 that are worth shouting about, like the ability to make and receive calls and a range of notification options. Honor is also claiming you should be able to get up to 14 days of use from the MagicWatch 2 on a single charge.
Although Express.co.uk hasn’t tested the Honor MagicWatch 2 yet, the device looks to be very similar to the Huawei Watch GT 2 in terms of design and features.
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That’s no bad thing because we were big fans of the GT 2 at Express.co.uk. We awarded the wearable four out of five stars in our review back in October and praised it for offering supreme battery life and a range of helpful fitness features.
Our verdict read: “The Huawei Watch GT 2 is an exceptional fitness tracker housed in a deceptive smartwatch body. The Chinese tech giant has truly created a workout partner that we can’t imagine going without.
“While its lack of smartwatch functionality is still somewhat difficult to overlook, you’ll still enjoy the GT 2 as long as you’re aware of its inherent limitations.
“Fitness fanatics rejoice, Huawei has made an excellent device for you. For everyone else – especially those that shudder at the idea of tracking lengthy gym sessions – give this one a miss.”
You can read our full Huawei Watch GT 2 review here.