When comparing the battery life of the Huawei Watch Ultimate to Garmin watches during long runs, several factors come into play, including usage patterns and specific features like GPS tracking.
Huawei Watch Ultimate
- Battery Capacity: The Huawei Watch Ultimate is equipped with a 530 mAh battery, which is designed to provide up to two weeks of battery life under normal usage conditions. However, with more active use, such as frequent GPS tracking, the battery life can drop to around 8 days[1][4].
- Expedition Mode: This mode is particularly useful for long runs or hikes, as it optimizes energy consumption by limiting unnecessary features while maintaining essential tracking functions like GPS, heart rate, and SpO2 monitoring. In this mode, the watch can sustain long activities with minimal battery drain[4][7].
- Charging: The watch supports fast charging, reaching 25% in 10 minutes and fully charging in about 60 minutes[1].
Garmin Watches
- Garmin Forerunner Series: Models like the Forerunner 55 offer up to two weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode but only 20 hours in GPS mode. This makes them less suitable for very long runs without recharging[2].
- Garmin Forerunner 965: This model provides a longer battery life, with up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS mode without playback. However, using GPS continuously can still require more frequent charging compared to the Huawei Watch Ultimate[2].
- Garmin Enduro Series: The Enduro 3 is notable for its extended battery life, lasting up to 90 days in watch mode and offering up to 120 hours in GPS mode with solar charging. This makes it highly suitable for ultra-long runs or multi-day events[2].
- Garmin Fenix Series: Models like the Fenix 8 offer around 10-29 days of battery life depending on the model size and usage, with GPS mode lasting between 28 and 84 hours. While robust, they may not match the Huawei Watch Ultimate's endurance in continuous GPS tracking without solar assistance[2].
Comparison for Long Runs
For long runs, the Huawei Watch Ultimate offers a competitive battery life, especially with its Expedition Mode, which can sustain activities over several hours with minimal battery loss. However, Garmin's Enduro 3 stands out for its exceptional endurance, making it ideal for ultra-marathons or multi-day events. The Garmin Forerunner and Fenix series provide solid performance but may require more frequent charging during very long GPS-tracked activities.
In summary, while both brands offer capable watches for long runs, the choice depends on specific needs: the Huawei Watch Ultimate excels in moderate to heavy use with its Expedition Mode, while Garmin's Enduro series is unbeatable for ultra-long events.
Citations:
[1] https://root-nation.com/en/gadgets-en/wearables-en/en-huawei-watch-ultimate-design-review/
[2] https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-garmin-watch
[3] https://versus.com/en/garmin-venu-3-vs-huawei-watch-ultimate
[4] https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate-review_id5760
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/comments/1933kvw/how_long_do_the_watches_actually_last/
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/HuaweiWatchGT/comments/16va37z/why_choose_huaweii_instead_of_garmin/
[7] https://www.techradar.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate
[8] https://trailrunningforlife.com/optimize-your-garmin-battery-life-for-long-runs/
[9] https://andrewskurka.com/battery-life-comparison-gps-sport-watches/
[10] https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_watch_ultimate_review-news-58259.php