Huawei unveiled the Band 2 and Band 2 Pro, a pair of fitness trackers that pack in activity monitoring and offer both training and recovery insights, back in July. Now, the company has announced that the Band 2 Pro is available in the US for $69.99.
The new devices will keep tabs on user fitness levels in order to provide personalised running plans and real-time feedback on exercise, while the Pro will go a step further and also feature VO2 Max insights.
The verdict: Huawei Band 2 Pro review
After already popping up on the Huawei Watch 2, VO2 Max support means that a wearer is able to tap into the maximum rate at which the body can import oxygen, transport it to muscles and then use it to produce energy. Huawei is relying on heartbeat analytics firm Firstbeat and its tech to detect VO2 Max fitness levels with around 95% accuracy.
However, the platform is also able to take advantage of Training Effect, a stat to gauge how each exercise session impacted your fitness level, and offer a recovery time to give you an estimate of when to hit the gym next.
Both devices are able to withstand up to 5ATM of water pressure, allowing you to take it for a dip into the pool, but only the Pro version will house the ability to bring you Huawei's TruSleep insights and breathing coach.
And while this feature list isn't anything completely groundbreaking, it does bring Huawei's range into line with the leaders in the field, Fitbit.
In particular, the Huawei Band Pro 2 appears to offer many of the same features that the Fitbit Charge 2. Not to mention the looks of the device, which seem to be a mix between the Charge range and the company's Alta offerings.
Either way, while both lines offer VO2 Max and can bring you a bevy of exercise, sleep and wellness feedback through the respective companion apps, what could set Pro version apart from the rest of the scene is its onboard GPS. Currently, the Fitbit Charge range only offers tethered tracking.
How we test
Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.
Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides.
He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror.