Huawei Running Watch – the drips of info don’t yet amount to a leak – here’s what we know
Huawei appears to be preparing to launch a new professional-grade running watch, developed in collaboration with Eliud Kipchoge of Sub2 Marathon fame. While official details remain sparse, the company has released enough information to outline its direction for the device.
Huawei Next Gen
The upcoming wearable is the result of a partnership announced in January 2026 between Huawei and the dsm-firmenich Running Team. Huawei CMO Alex Huang has described the product as a “next-generation running watch” aimed at bridging the gap between elite performance metrics and user-friendly design.
Technically, the watch is expected to feature Huawei’s TruSense system (2024) for health tracking and the Sunflower positioning system for improved GPS accuracy. These systems are intended to provide the high-precision data required to support performance and recovery metrics used by some competitive athletes. The company has also been working on a fatigue assessment model, which aims to predict race performance and recovery needs.
Sunflower Positioning: I’ve already tested this positioning system, albeit on the Watch GT 6 Pro. It’s new to that watch and so, almost certainly, will be part of newly launched models in 2026. It is a novel design, which hopefully the brand can eke some more accuracy improvements out of for its next sighting. These are the two key characteristics of the Sunflower Positioning System.
- Dual-Antenna Switching: Competitors have one antenna near the bezel; Huawei adds a second one to the bottom of the case. This is claimed to increase the time when one or both have a clear view of the sky. Software then determines the best positional information from either or both.
- Signal Direct Injection Feeding (SDIF): This eliminates signal loss from internal cabling between the antenna and the circuit board by integrating the two.
This release will mark Huawei’s first significant return to the dedicated running category since the 2021 Watch GT Runner. By involving Kipchoge and his team in the R&D process, Huawei appears to be positioning the device as a direct alternative to established sports brands like Garmin, Coros, Polar and Suunto.
However, the project remains somewhat vague, with Huawei’s official statements focusing more on philosophy and general aims than specific hardware specifications. That said, the involvement of elite runners suggests a significant marketing spend hopefully on the back of commensurate R&D spend, the actual impact on the final software features has yet to be seen.
For users in the United Kingdom and Europe, the watch will likely be a major addition to the fitness market later this year. Conversely, trade restrictions will limit (entirely) the availability in the United States.
Take Out
The information for this has been nicely trailed. Enough for us to know something’s coming, but far from enough to know what it is. that is what launch days are for.
Last Updated on 3 October 2026 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin with any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafing stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable arches, perfect position. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Health, recovery and sleep
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet. Occasional use.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors. I use it.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used. Occasional use.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions. I use both.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home via Starling. I use it.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID
“the involvement of elite runners suggests a significant R&D effort and marketing spend”
Nope, it only suggests the latter 😉
R.
🙂
well, err, yes that could be one interpretation. I’ll tweak the sentence
So basically nothing major compared to Watch fit 4 pro which is great running watch for the price.