Huawei Band 7 : Does it Have a Built In GPS Sensor?
Huawei has just released their latest fitness tracker the Huawei Band 7. This is the next generation of watches following up from the very popular Huawei Band 6 and Band 6 Pro. As with all new products there are always some questions that people want answered, one of the most popular being does it have a built in GPS sensor? Unfortunately the answer is no, there is no GPS location sensor available on this device.
The Huawei Band 7 Does Not Have GPS
The Huawei Band series is a line of fitness trackers released by the Chinese company Huawei. The latest model in the series is the Huawei Band 7, which was released earlier in the year. One of the most popular questions about the Band seven is whether or not it has a built-in GPS sensor. Unfortunately, the answer is no; there is no location sensor in the Huawei Band 7 that can connect with GPS satellites.
Can The Huawei Band 7 Use Your Mobile Phone’s GPS Sensor?
Unfortunately the answer is no. You can only use the Huawei Health App and use your mobile phones GPS sensor. Many Fitness tracker’s that I use like the Fitbit Luxe, Garmin Vivosmart 5 have the option to pair your watch to your mobile phone which then uses your mobile phones GPS sensor. The data is then transmitted to the watch, this unfortunately is not an option with the Huawei Band 7.
So how does the Huawei Band 7 track your exercise without GPS?
Well the Huawei Band 7 can track your exercise using the following 3 specifications
- Accelerometer (movement sensor)
- Gyroscope (movement sensor)
- Algorithms (deciphers sensor information)
All fitness trackers on the market use these specific sensors to track movement. All 3 are typically used for any indoor fitness tracking as GPS connectivity does not work indoors.
How Does a Accelerometer Work?
An accelerometer is a tool that measures acceleration, or the rate at which an object changes its velocity. It’s one of the main sensors, and it’s what allows your watch to know when it’s being moved.
The Huawei Band uses an accelerometer to track your steps and distance traveled without GPS. That means you can use it indoors, where GPS signals can be unreliable, or when you don’t want to carry your phone with you on a run.
How Does Accelerometer’s Track Your Fitness Activity?
Accelerometers are devices that measure acceleration, which is the rate of change of velocity. In other words, they measure how fast an object is moving. They’re commonly used in exercise and fitness tracking apps because they can track human activity quite accurately.
How does this work? Well, when you walk or run, your body moves in a linear direction. The faster you move, the greater the acceleration. The accelerometer in your phone or fitness tracker can detect this acceleration and use it to estimate how far you’ve traveled and how many steps you’ve taken.
However, there are some limitations to this technology. First of all, accelerometers can only track linear movement. So if you’re doing something like cycling or swimming, it’s not going to be very accurate. Additionally, accelerometers are affected by gravity. So if you’re holding your phone in your hand while walking, it’s going to register some false steps.
Despite these limitations, accelerometers are still quite accurate for tracking general human activity and they’re a whole lot cheaper than GPS.
How Does A Gyroscope Work?
The gyroscope is the backbone of the Huawei Band’s tracking system. It uses a spinning wheel to measure your movement and calculate speed and distance traveled without needing GPS.
The advantage of this technology is that it’s more accurate than GPS for tracking activities like running or cycling because it isn’t affected by things like buildings or trees that can block satellite signals. The downside is that it doesn’t work as well for activities like swimming where there is no movement to measure.
How Does A Gyroscope Track Your Fitness Activity?
The Huawei Band 7 uses a three-axis gyroscope. This device detects changes in orientation and can track rotational movement. The gyroscope is very sensitive and can detect even the slightest changes in your wrist’s position.
This data is processed by algorithms that are able to determine what type of activity you are doing. For example, if you are running, the Huawei Band 7 will know that you are moving your arms in a specific way and will be able to track your steps and distance.
The gyroscope is also used to detect when you are sleeping. The Huawei Band uses this information to provide you with detailed sleep tracking data.
While the Huawei Band does not have a built-in GPS sensor, it is still able to provide you with accurate fitness tracking data. The gyroscope and algorithms that process the data are able to give you an accurate picture of your fitness level and progress.
How Does Algorithm’s Work?
The algorithm is a set of calculations that take input data and processes it to produce output. In the case of the Huawei Band 7, the algorithms are used to track your heart rate, steps taken, and other activity data. The input data comes from the various sensors on the watch, such as the accelerometer and gyroscope. This data is then processed by the algorithms to estimate how far you’ve traveled, how many steps you’ve taken, and your heart rate.
Unfortunately, without a GPS sensor, the Huawei Band is not able to track your location. This means that it can’t give you accurate information about your pace or distance traveled. However, it can still give you an estimate of how many calories you’ve burned and how long you’ve been active.
What Huawei Band 7 Features Are Affected Most Without GPS
From personal experience I would say it is the new feature, Running ability index. This is a great feature that can help you improve your running form. However without the GPS sensor, the algorithm’s would rely upon the accelerometer and gyroscope to estimate your running form. To be fair it is reasonably accurate
For what it’s worth it’s not to bad, considering the price you pay for the watch. But if accuracy is a deal breaker for you then you may want to consider the Huawei GT Watch Runner, Garmin Forerunner 255, or Polar Pacer. All of which have a built in GPS, and multi frequency band.
Final Conclusion
The final conclusion is that the Huawei Band does not have a built-in GPS sensor. However, it can still track your exercise without GPS location. The watch uses a built-in accelerometer to estimate your distance and pace. If you are looking for a fitness tracker with GPS, there are other options on the market.
The Huawei Band 7 also uses a built in Gyroscope and Heart Rate sensor to monitor your fitness and activity. Not to mention it uses algorithm’s to detect and track your sleep. All these health metrics can be monitored in the Huawei Health App.
However, the Huawei Band is still a great option if you are looking for an affordable and accurate fitness tracker. Thanks for reading! We hope this article was helpful.
