As a lover of climbs, I appreciated having real-time altitude and total ascent directly on the watch. On a single screen I could also view heart rate (from the built-in sensor or via a connected chest strap), speed and distance. The auto-pause function worked flawlessly, instantly stopping at red lights and resuming the moment I started pedaling again.

Another new metric is FTP (Functional Threshold Power), the maximum power you can sustain for an hour without fatigue, which, unlike Virtual Power, requires an external power meter connected to the smartwatch. This is a key indicator for structuring workouts and evaluating performance. FTP matters in cycling because it provides a consistent and objective benchmark of a cyclist’s fitness level. It determines personalized training zones that not only track my progress, but gives me a point of reference for effective pacing. For endurance rides, this is huge as it helps me scale my workouts to my current fitness level – hence, applicable to cyclists of all skill levels.

All connections are managed through the HUAWEI Health App, which not only serves as a central hub for your training data but also allows you to fully customize the watch to your preferrences. For athletes who like to train with additional equipment, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 offers even more flexibility. I, for example, use an external power meter built into my pedals to measure my watt output with maximum precision and the watch connects seamlessly. The same goes for the chest strap I use because my tattoos can lead to less accurate optical readings during my trainings. The watch pulls in both the power meter and chest strap data and blends them directly into the workout analysis, which is perfect for me. This way I can expand it into a complete training ecosystem that perfectly adapts to road cycling, indoor sessions and even cross-discipline workouts.

The battery life is outstanding even on this 41mm watch: up to 14 days with light everyday use and still around 40 hours while continuously working out. It feels unusual – in a positive way – to start thinking about battery life in terms of weeks instead of hours. It’s the kind of reliability that makes you forget about charging altogether, until you check the percentage and notice there’s still plenty left. It gives me real peace of mind: even on long rides in the mountains or remote areas, I never worry that the battery might suddenly run out and leave me without navigation. Knowing the watch will last makes every adventure feel safer and more relaxed.

The author of this article is Elisa Scarlatta. The views expressed are her own.

The information is to be used as general information only, and is not to be taken as advice with respect to any individual situation and cannot be relied upon as such. A healthcare provider should be consulted when attempting to diagnose a condition or when determining the best course of action for any health-related concern.

Users should exercise in a safe and suitable manner which is commensurate to their own exercise capabilities and limits.

The heart rate and heart rate variability features are not a medical device, and therefore its monitoring data and results are for reference only and should not be used as a basis for medical diagnosis or treatment.