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.

1. 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.
2. 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 4 February 2026 by the5krunner

the5krunner

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. ID