2025-11-18 11:00

Let me be honest with you - when I first unboxed the Huawei Watch 2 Sport back in 2017, I never imagined I'd still be wearing it regularly in 2024. That's seven years of continuous use, which in smartwatch terms feels like several lifetimes. I recently found myself thinking about this device while reading about Chot Reyes' struggles with TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup, where even seasoned experts sometimes find themselves questioning whether older strategies and players can still compete in today's game. It struck me that the same dilemma applies to technology - can a seven-year-old smartwatch still hold its own against today's shiny new wearables?

I've been testing wearables professionally for over a decade, and what fascinates me about the Huawei Watch 2 Sport is how it represents a particular moment in smartwatch evolution. Released at a time when Android Wear (now Wear OS) was finding its footing, this device packed Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, 768MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. Those numbers might sound modest compared to today's standards, but here's the thing - they're still perfectly functional for basic smartwatch tasks. The 1.2-inch AMOLED display remains crisp and vibrant, achieving around 390 x 390 pixels resolution that holds up surprisingly well even in 2024's sunlight. Battery life was always its strong suit - I consistently get about 1.5 to 2 days of use, which honestly puts some modern smartwatches to shame.

Where this device shows its age is in the software experience. Running Android Wear 2.0 out of the box, the Huawei Watch 2 Sport never received updates beyond security patches, meaning you're essentially stuck with 2017's software vision. The app ecosystem has moved on, with many developers abandoning support for older Wear OS versions. I've noticed significant lag when switching between apps, and voice commands through Google Assistant can be frustratingly slow. It's reminiscent of how Chot Reyes must feel watching his TNT team struggle - you have capable components that just don't seem to sync up with contemporary demands.

The fitness tracking capabilities present another mixed bag. The heart rate monitor provides reasonably accurate readings during steady-state cardio, but I've found it struggles with high-intensity interval training where rapid heart rate changes occur. GPS acquisition takes noticeably longer than modern devices - sometimes up to 45 seconds compared to the near-instant lock I get with newer Garmin or Apple watches. Yet for basic running or cycling tracking, it gets the job done. The built-in sports modes cover the essentials, though they lack the sophistication of today's recovery metrics and training load analysis.

What really surprises me is how the design has aged. The composite body feels lighter than most current smartwatches, making it comfortable for sleep tracking. The ceramic bezel still looks premium, though the overall aesthetic leans heavily toward sporty rather than versatile. I've worn this to business meetings and received compliments, but mostly from people who appreciate retro tech rather than those mistaking it for a current model. The 22mm interchangeable bands remain a advantage, allowing for personalization that some modern proprietary systems lack.

Considering its current secondhand market price of around $50-$80, the value proposition becomes interesting. For someone dipping their toes into smartwatches or needing basic notification and fitness tracking, it represents a low-risk entry point. However, competing against devices like the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini or even older Apple Watch SE models, the Huawei Watch 2 Sport's limitations become more apparent. The lack of software updates means potential security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues with newer smartphones can arise.

My personal take? I keep coming back to this watch precisely because of its limitations. In a world of increasingly homogenous smartwatches that all promise to monitor every conceivable health metric, there's something refreshing about a device that focuses on the basics. It reminds me of watching veteran players in the PBA - they might not have the flashy moves of rookies, but they understand the fundamentals and execute them reliably. The Huawei Watch 2 Sport won't amaze you with sleep oxygen monitoring or ECG capabilities, but it will reliably show notifications, track your morning run, and survive a full day of use without begging for a charger.

Ultimately, whether the Huawei Watch 2 Sport remains worth buying depends entirely on your expectations and budget. If you're a tech enthusiast who wants the latest features and seamless performance, look elsewhere. But if you need an affordable, functional smartwatch for basic tasks and appreciate devices with character, this seven-year-old veteran might just surprise you. Much like how experienced coaches in the PBA sometimes find ways to make older strategies work against modern systems, the Huawei Watch 2 Sport demonstrates that sometimes, good fundamentals never truly go out of style.