Huawei's next smartwatch will be unveiled alongside the Mate 30 family with no help from Google
It's still hard to say whether or not you should get excited about the Huawei Mate 30 series, which not only features a somewhat divisive design but could well have to give up Google services and apps in favor of an unlicensed version of Android or completely new operating system that doesn't exactly look ready for high-end smartphone primetime.
Ironically, the product that might end up drawing the attention of Western tech enthusiasts at the September 19 launch event in Munich, Germany is an arguably lower-profile smartwatch. That's because the Huawei Watch GT 2 is set to follow in the footsteps of a relatively stylish and powerful wearable device that doesn't run Google's Wear OS platform and can even be purchased in the US in addition to the old continent.
The second-gen Android and iOS-compatible smartwatch was probably always planned with a proprietary OS in mind, just like its predecessor, and at least from a software standpoint, it shouldn't be affected too much by Huawei's looming US ban. And in case it wasn't already crystal clear, the Huawei Watch GT 2 is now officially confirmed for a formal debut on September 19 alongside the Mate 30 flagship smartphone family.
Meet the HUAWEI Kirin A1, working hard under the surface of the #HUAWEIWATCHGT2. Are you ready to #ExploreMore?
— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) September 8, 2019
19.09.19: https://t.co/9ugi5gXKAS pic.twitter.com/odq2tZU5te
Thanks to a short video teaser tweeted yesterday, we also know the Watch GT 2 will retain its forerunner's two-button navigation setup and pack a new Kirin A1 chip that's slightly less exciting than it sounds. This is merely a Bluetooth processor aiming to offer a stable connection between your wearable and your phone, also residing under the hood of Huawei's AirPods-rivaling FreeBuds 3.
Unfortunately for Huawei, pretty much everything we needed to know about the impending smartwatch was revealed last week, including a largely unchanged design, the same core activity tracking focus, and a big 450mAh battery purportedly capable of keeping the lights on for up to a gargantuan two weeks on a single charge.
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