Comparative test of smartwatches from Garmin, Sigma and Huawei

Time, weather, navigation, communication, music, training planner and tracking of numerous fitness parameters: modern smartwatches are so versatile that they can combine the functions of many devices in a tiny watch case. However, fitness watches are not always convincing in terms of handling. The sometimes high price can also put athletes off at first. We tested three smartwatches in different price categories.

Sigma iD.TRI. smartwatch in test

Sigma's first attempt to play in the attractive market of sports watches and smartwatches is still bumpy. The simple watch has a small display with a resolution that no longer seems up to date, and numbers and fonts are displayed very small. The battery life is unsatisfactory: we were unable to record two hours of training on two consecutive winter days. The watch only recognises four training modes: swimming, cycling, running and other. Other multisport watches now offer significantly more options, especially for indoor sports without GPS recording. The app only analyses a small amount of data. The connection with Strava worked without any problems, but the Bluetooth connection was not always established straight away. The biggest plus point of the watch is the favourable purchase price.

Evaluation of the Sigma smartwatch

• Set-up ★★★★
• Operation/buttons ★★
• Battery life ★
• Readability ★★
• Connectivity (app, smartphone) ★★

Price 180 Euro >> available here

Battery hero: Huawei Watch GT 2 in test

The long battery life is the biggest advantage of the Huawei GT 2. The manufacturer promises up to two weeks, which was confirmed in the practical test. The watch is comfortable to wear and easy to operate. The heart rate measurement on the wrist did not work accurately; it is not possible to connect the watch directly to a heart rate monitor. The distance measurement via GPS was very precise. Smartwatch functions (phone calls, messages, music, etc.) are a plus compared to a pure sports watch. Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect it to Strava and there is no navigation. The watch and app require a lot of access rights.

Evaluation of the Huawei smartwatch

• Set-up ★★★★
• Operation/buttons ★★★★
• Battery life ★★★★★
• Readability ★★★★
• Connectivity (app, smartphone) ★★

Price with 46 mm diameter from 229 euros, 42 mm from 199 euros

The Watch GT 2 model from Huawei is available in the following variants:

• Huawei Watch GT 2 (46 mm) >> available here
• Huawei Watch GT 2 (42 mm) >> available here

Garmin fenix 6 in test

Like its other models, Garmin also offers the Fenix 6 in a variety of different versions, from the basic watch for €599 to the refined Pro Solar version for €1099. The Fenix 6 Pro (€699) impresses above all with its ease of use: five buttons on the side are all you need to scroll through the logically organised menus. To be able to use as many functions as possible, the watch needs to be paired with a smartphone using the Garmin Connect app.

The heart rate measurement values on the wrist are not always accurate; calculated training parameters such as maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) are naturally not of laboratory quality. However, sleep and activity tracking, stress level measurement and training instructions (for outdoor activities as well as indoor core units) make the smartwatch a versatile assistant for very sporty users. The battery life in GPS mode, which is relevant for racing cyclists, was over two days, while in energy-saving smartwatch mode, the Fenix 6 Pro can even last half a month without a power socket when fully charged.

The Solar variant extended the runtime significantly: in GPS mode, up to 6 hours are added; on shadier gravel tours, the battery indicator was still constant after a three-hour ride. This is a big plus point, especially for road cyclists who naturally often ride in the sun. This means that a three-day tour is also possible without recharging.

Review of the Garmin fenix 6

• Set-up ★★★★
• Operation/buttons ★★★★★
• Battery life ★★★★★
• Readability ★★★★
• Connectivity (app, smartphone) ★★★★

Price from 699 Euro

The fenix 6 model from Garmin is available in the following versions:

• fenix 6 >> available here
• fenix 6 Pro >> available here
• fenix 6S >> available here
• fenix 6S Pro
• fenix 6X Pro >> available here
• fenix 6X Pro Solar >> available here