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Wearable comparison

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic vs Huawei Watch GT Runner 2

Compare battery life, health tracking, display and fit.

Compared products
01Selected
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

  • Screen: 438 × 438 pixels.
  • Exynos W1000, 3 nm processor.
  • 2 GB RAM in this version.
  • 64 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs Wear OS 6; One UI 8 Watch.
KSh 38,500In Stock
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02
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2

Huawei Watch GT Runner 2

  • About 34.5 g.
  • Screen: 466 × 466 pixels, 352 ppi.
  • 540 mAh battery capacity.
  • Bluetooth 6.0.
  • 5 ATM under ISO 22810:2010.
KSh 37,000Out of Stock

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2 spaces available

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 44mmKSh 42,000
OnePlus Watch 4KSh 38,500
Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 40mmKSh 39,500
Samsung Galaxy Watch UltraKSh 45,000
Google Pixel Watch 3KSh 37,500
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025KSh 44,000
WHOOP ONE 5.0 SensorKSh 37,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 is the stronger choice: it lasts longer between charges (up to 14 days), works with Android phones and iPhones and takes ECG heart-rhythm readings, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic only has a cellular option for calls without your phone.

Display

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
438 × 438 pixels
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2
466 × 466 pixels, 352 ppi

Battery capacity

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
445 mAh battery capacity
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2
540 mAh battery capacity

Portability

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
63.5 g
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2
About 34.5 g

Connections

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
Bluetooth 5.3
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2
Bluetooth 6.0

Water resistance

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic
IP68 water and dust resistance
Huawei Watch GT Runner 2
5 ATM under ISO 22810:2010

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic

  • Cellular option (LTE/5G models) for calls and data without your phone.

Huawei Watch GT Runner 2

  • Longer rated battery life: up to 14 days (vs 40 hours).
  • Bigger battery: 540 mAh (vs 445 mAh).
  • Works with Android phones and iPhones.
  • Lighter: about 34.5 g (vs 63.5 g).
  • ECG heart-rhythm readings.
  • Titanium case and plastic back (vs stainless steel case).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PrioritySamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
Battery lifeUp to 40 hours per charge540 mAh battery
Portability63.5 gAbout 34.5 g
Display1.34-inch OLED display1.32-inch OLED display, 352 ppi
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 6.0
Battery capacity445 mAh battery540 mAh battery
Water resistanceIP68 water and dust resistance5 ATM under ISO 22810:2010

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
Display1.34-inch Super AMOLED1.32-inch AMOLED
Screen resolution438 × 438 pixels466 × 466 pixels, 352 ppi
Display protectionSapphire crystalKunlun Crystal
Display featuresFull-colour always-on displayUp to 3,000 nits peak brightness

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
Network / cellularGSM / HSPA / LTENo cellular connectivity
SIM / eSIMeSIMNo SIM
Wi-FiWi-Fi 2.4 GHz + 5 GHzNo Wi-Fi connectivity
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 6.0; 2.4 GHz; BR + BLE
NFCSupportedSupported
Positioning / GNSSDual-frequency GPS, L1 + L5; GLONASS; BeiDou; GalileoGPS L1+L5 dual-band; GLONASS; BeiDou B1I+B1C+B2a tri-band; Galileo E1+E5a dual-band; QZSS L1+L5 dual-band; NavIC

Identity & design

Identity & design specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
BrandSamsungHuawei
ModelSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2
Announced2025, July 0926 February 2026
Dimensions46.4 × 46.0 × 10.6 mm43.5 × 43.5 × 10.7 mm
Weight63.5 g without bandApproximately 34.5 g (strap excluded)
Build materialsStainless-steel caseTitanium-alloy front case; high-performance fibre-reinforced composite rear case
Controls / buttonsRotating bezel; Quick Button; Home and Back buttonsHome button (rotating crown) and side button
Wrist size—120–190 mm
Strap / band—AirDry woven straps in Racing Legend, Dusk Blue, Dawn Orange or Midnight Black; colour-matched perforated fluoroelastomer strap included

Performance & software

Performance & software specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
ProcessorExynos W1000, 3 nm—
CPU5-core—
GPUMali-G68—
RAM2 GB—
Storage64 GB—
Operating systemWear OS 6; One UI 8 Watch—

Audio & communication

Audio & communication specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
SpeakerSupportedSupported
MicrophoneSupportedSupported
CallingBluetooth calling with a connected smartphone; standalone calling on LTE editionsBluetooth calling when paired

Sensors, health & fitness

Sensors, health & fitness specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
SensorsSamsung BioActive: optical heart-rate, electrical heart signal, bioelectrical impedance analysis; temperature; accelerometer; barometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic; light sensor; 3D Hall sensorAccelerometer; gyroscope; magnetometer; optical heart-rate sensor; barometer; temperature sensor; ambient-light sensor; ECG sensor; depth sensor
Health & wellness featuresHeart and wellness tracking; Antioxidant Index, Vascular Load, Energy Score and stress features. Availability varies by market and paired phone.Heart rate; SpO2; temperature; ECG
Sleep trackingSleep tracking, sleep coaching, Bedtime Guidance and sleep-apnoea features where availableSleep monitoring
Training & outdoor featuresRunning Coach and dual-frequency route trackingOutdoor workout mode with dual-band GNSS
Diving / depth features—Freediving to 40 m; EN 13319 diving-accessory support

Battery & durability

Battery & durability specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
Battery capacity445 mAh540 mAh silicon-carbon lithium-ion
Battery lifeAlways-On Display off: up to 40 hours Always-On Display on: up to 30 hoursUp to 14 days light use; up to 7 days typical use; up to 32 hours in outdoor workout mode
ChargingFast wireless charging, WPC-basedWireless charging; charger requirement 5–10 V DC, 2 A maximum
Water resistance5 ATM; IP685 ATM under ISO 22810:2010
Durability / certificationsMIL-STD-810HIP69 under IEC 60529:2013; EN 13319 diving-accessory standard

Compatibility

Compatibility specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
Phone compatibilityAndroid 12.0 or later; more than 1.5 GB RAMAndroid 9.0 or later; iOS 13.0 or later
Companion appGalaxy Wearable; Samsung Health—
ColorsBlack; WhiteRacing Legend; Dusk Blue; Dawn Orange; Midnight Black

Additional specifications

Additional specifications specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicHuawei Watch GT Runner 2
Case materialStainless steel—
Peak brightness3,000 nits peak—
Release statusAvailable. Released 2025, July 25—
Model numbersSM-L500, SM-L505U—
Card slotNo—
CameraNo—
3.5 mm headphone jackNo—
USBNo—
RadioNo—
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900—
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100—
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 40, 66, 71—
Network speedHSPA, LTE—
SAR (US)1.04 W/kg (head) 0.41 W/kg (body)—
SAR (EU)0.03 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body)—
Additional durability featuresRotating bezel—

Similarities

  • Both have NFC.
  • Both are water resistant to 50 m.
  • Both take calls over Bluetooth.
  • Both have OLED displays.
  • Both have similar screen sizes (1.34 and 1.32 inches).
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.

In summary

For most buyers the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2 is the better buy; the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic makes sense if you want a cellular option for calls without your phone.

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In-stock alternatives

OnePlus Watch 4For Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicOnePlus Watch 4View product ↗Amazfit Balance 2For Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 ClassicAmazfit Balance 2View product ↗Google Pixel Watch 3For Huawei Watch GT Runner 2Google Pixel Watch 3View product ↗

Related comparisons

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