Design and workmanship
The moment you put it on, you notice Huawei's uncompromising approach to the watch's design. It's large, commanding, and that's exactly how it's meant to be. The octagonal case, made of amorphous zirconium-based alloy, conveys a high degree of stability from the very first touch. Combined with the nanocrystalline ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal, it creates a very robust impression without appearing bulky or clunky.
Weighing in at around 80,5 grams without the strap, the Watch Ultimate 2 has a noticeable weight. In practice, however, this weight is evenly distributed across the wrist. Even during movement or extended use, the watch doesn't tip over or become uncomfortable. The fluoroelastomer strap feels comfortable against the skin and is well-suited for longer outdoor activities. In the blue version, the additional titanium strap gives it a significantly more sophisticated look, making it suitable for everyday wear.
The 1,5-inch LTPO AMOLED display is top-of-the-line. Its high resolution ensures very sharp images, and the maximum brightness of up to 3500 nits is particularly noticeable outdoors. Maps, training data, and status displays remain easily readable even in direct sunlight.
Operation and software
The watch combines a touchscreen, a rotating crown, and two additional physical buttons. This approach proves particularly practical during outdoor activities. Menus can be navigated precisely, and the watch remains operable even with gloves or in wet conditions.
Pairing with the HUAWEI Health app works flawlessly. The app is clearly structured and presents even complex data in an understandable way. Altitude profiles, training load, sleep analyses, and HRV values are meaningfully categorized and not unnecessarily cluttered.
Outdoor and expedition mode
One of the core features of the HUAWEI Watch Ultimate 2 is Expedition Mode. Routes can be imported, color offline maps downloaded in advance, and waypoints marked. The new antenna design with dual-frequency GNSS ensures highly accurate positioning, even in challenging environments.
The automatic altitude warnings above 2.500 meters are particularly useful. While not an everyday feature, it clearly indicates the target audience for this watch. In expedition mode, battery life of up to 40 hours is possible, making it a realistic option for extended tours.
Dives with underwater communication
Important note beforehand: Neither the golf course mode nor the actual diving functions could be used practically during this test. The evaluation of these areas is therefore based on the user interface, technical implementation, and software integration.
Even without a practical dive, the smartwatch makes a very well-thought-out impression on paper. Certifications according to ISO 22810 and EN 13319, a maximum diving depth of 150 meters, and sonar-based underwater communication clearly distinguish the Ultimate 2 from classic smartwatches.
Being able to exchange messages or symbols underwater might sound like a gimmick at first, but it can be quite helpful in certain situations. The display of relevant dive data is clearly structured and very easy to read. The Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm used is an established standard and inspires confidence in the calculations.
Sports modes and special functions
Over 100 sports modes cover virtually all common activities. The new golf mode, featuring over 17.000 golf course maps worldwide, is very comprehensive. Zoomable 3D views, distance information, and shot data don't feel like mere add-ons, but rather like a standalone, professional mode.
In addition, there's action camera integration, allowing videos to be started via gesture control, while training data can later be used as overlays. This is a practical extra feature for outdoor athletes and content creators.
Health and X-TAP sensor
The new X-TAP sensor extends data collection beyond the traditional wrist. Measurements at the fingertips increase precision, especially in blood oxygen measurement. Health Glance provides a concise overview of multiple health indicators within 60 seconds.
ECG measurements, HRV analysis, sleep tracking including apnea detection, and extended monitoring of emotional well-being are all sensibly integrated. The presentation remains objective and supportive, without causing unnecessary alarm.
Smartwatch functions in everyday life
Thanks to its integrated eSIM, the Watch Ultimate 2 functions completely independently of a smartphone. Phone calls, music streaming, navigation, and NFC payments can all be handled directly from the watch. Call quality is impressive, and the AI noise cancellation works reliably.
Gesture control, AppGallery support, and music functions make the watch pleasantly flexible for everyday use. Despite the numerous special functions, it doesn't feel cluttered.
Battery life and charging
In standard mode, a realistic battery life of up to 4,5 days is achievable when paired with Android; with iOS, it's slightly less. The power-saving mode significantly extends the battery life. Huawei provides clear and comprehensible battery life estimates for specific scenarios such as diving, expeditions, or golf.
Wireless fast charging proves to be a real convenience in everyday life. Just 15 minutes of charging is enough to last a whole day.
price and variants
The Ultimate 2 is offered in two versions that differ not only in appearance but also in their included accessories. Technically, both versions are identical.
The black version comes with a fluoroelastomer strap and is priced at €859. The blue version includes a titanium bracelet in addition to the color-coordinated fluoroelastomer strap, giving the watch a more elegant appearance. Accordingly, the price is higher at €959.
