The Huawei Watch GT5 is here, offering a combination of advanced features, precision tracking, and an eye-catching design, which has led many to dub it an “Apple Watch Series 10 Killer.” With two models available—the standard 46mm and the smaller 41mm version—the Watch GT5 aims to deliver exceptional accuracy in fitness and health tracking. Let’s dive deep into this smartwatch’s features and see what makes it stand out.
Design and Display
Huawei has clearly emphasized quality in the Watch GT5’s design. The 46mm version has a hexagonal shape with a stainless steel frame, showcasing a polished and professional look. The 1.43-inch OLED display is fully laminated, boasting a 466×466-pixel resolution with a 326 PPI density. This AMOLED screen is bright, clear, and performs admirably even under direct sunlight.
The strap options enhance comfort and style, including a woven blue option made of a silicon-fabric blend that’s soft on the skin. For users interested in something more formal, there’s also a leather strap available. Both straps are easily adjustable, further underscoring Huawei’s commitment to user comfort and high build quality.
TrueSense Technology: Enhanced Sensor Accuracy
One of the standout features of the Watch GT5 is Huawei’s proprietary TrueSense technology, which was unveiled at a launch event in China. This technology promises higher accuracy in tracking data for blood oxygen levels, heart rate, sleep, and ECG measurements. TrueSense technology uses an advanced four-channel optical path design to capture more precise health data. In practical terms, this means the watch provides more reliable metrics for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals alike.
Huawei has also included an improved sensor design on the back of the watch, equipped with a new optical system and darkened glass. This smart glass technology minimizes interference and enhances signal strength, resulting in even greater accuracy. The Watch GT5 also boasts an increase from four to twelve channels for blood oxygen measurements, ensuring more detailed and accurate readings.
Upgraded GPS with Sunflower Antenna System
For those who rely on accurate GPS tracking, Huawei has introduced the Sunflower Antenna system in the Watch GT5. This upgraded GPS antenna is designed to improve positioning accuracy and prevent tracking errors. Whether you’re running through an urban environment with tall buildings or hiking in open terrain, the Watch GT5 is designed to maintain precise location data.
Huawei’s testing showed significant improvements in location tracking. The GPS tracking is precise enough to show even the side of the road you’re on, reducing zigzag patterns that could interfere with accuracy. In a test covering approximately 18 kilometers, the watch’s GPS maintained steady performance with no loss of accuracy.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial factor for smartwatches, and Huawei has made sure the Watch GT5 performs impressively in this area. It offers up to 15 days of battery life under standard usage. For those who use GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring continuously, battery life decreases slightly but still reaches about 10 days.
The Pro version of the Watch GT5 offers faster charging, capable of fully charging in just one hour. The standard 46mm version also charges efficiently, using a wireless magnetic charger that connects easily to the back of the watch.
Health Monitoring Features: ECG, Sleep, and Oxygen Levels
The Huawei Watch GT5 integrates advanced health tracking features, including ECG monitoring. Users with the Pro model can access certified ECG readings, enhancing its credibility in the health and wellness sector. The GT5 also includes TrueSleep technology, which tracks sleep patterns to provide insights into sleep quality. This includes phases like deep sleep, light sleep, and REM, helping users understand their sleep habits and overall health.
With twelve blood oxygen (SpO2) channels, the GT5 offers detailed oxygen level monitoring, making it a good choice for those with respiratory concerns. It also includes temperature monitoring and heart rate tracking, providing a full suite of health metrics. Additionally, Huawei’s app allows users to view historical health data, enabling trend analysis over time.
Workout and Fitness Tracking
For fitness enthusiasts, the Watch GT5 provides a range of workout modes, from traditional activities like running and cycling to more niche activities such as rock climbing, badminton, and even ping-pong. Huawei’s commitment to accuracy extends here as well, with dedicated sensors fine-tuned for each type of exercise.
The watch provides feedback during workouts, such as heart rate zones and distance covered, which is especially useful for users focusing on cardiovascular health. During a biking test, the GT5 successfully tracked data such as speed and heart rate, even during steep climbs.
Smart Features and Functionality
The Huawei Watch GT5 includes a variety of applications and tools designed to improve daily life and productivity. You’ll find a barometer, stopwatch, calculator, and even a music player that can pair with Bluetooth headphones. The inclusion of offline maps on the watch face is particularly helpful for outdoor adventures, allowing users to navigate without the need for a connected phone.
Unfortunately, NFC is available only for Huawei’s native wallet system, so users won’t have access to Google Pay or other third-party wallet applications. Despite this limitation, the watch still offers essential smart features such as notifications for calls, messages, and social media alerts. Huawei plans to introduce a firmware update enabling users to reply to texts directly from the watch, although this feature is currently unavailable.
User Interface and Customization
The user interface of the Watch GT5 is smooth and responsive, running at an impressive 60Hz refresh rate. Navigating through menus and applications feels fluid, with no noticeable lag or stutter. Users can customize the interface by selecting from various watch faces, each offering different sets of information.
For instance, some watch faces display battery life, dual-time zones, weather, and sunset/sunrise data, which can be useful for outdoor enthusiasts. Others focus on health metrics and workout stats, providing quick access to calories burned, heart rate, and activity levels. Huawei’s app also offers a library of additional watch faces that can be downloaded and synced with the watch.
Companion App and Data Analysis
The Huawei Health app is the companion app for the Watch GT5, providing a comprehensive overview of fitness and health metrics. It’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices, and Huawei has optimized it for use with the GT5. The app organizes health data into easy-to-read graphs, showing users trends in their heart rate, sleep patterns, and workout stats.
One standout feature is the app’s ability to display workout paths using offline maps, which users can view directly on the watch. This feature is ideal for runners, hikers, or anyone who wants to review their route after an outdoor workout. The app also integrates with third-party apps for fitness tracking, although compatibility may vary depending on the platform.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Long battery life of up to 15 days
- Accurate health and fitness tracking with TrueSense technology
- Enhanced GPS with Sunflower Antenna system
- Wide range of workout modes and health monitoring tools
- High-quality OLED display with a 466×466 resolution
Cons
- Limited NFC functionality (no Google Pay support)
- Text reply feature not available yet
- Limited third-party app support
Conclusion
The Huawei Watch GT5 is a powerful smartwatch that caters to users who prioritize health tracking, long battery life, and reliable GPS. While it might not fully replace the Apple Watch Series 10 due to certain limitations, such as the lack of Google Pay and limited third-party app support, it offers enough features to make it a strong competitor.
With its focus on precision, durability, and battery efficiency, the Watch GT5 is an excellent choice for fitness enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and anyone who wants a high-performing smartwatch that doesn’t need daily charging. For those looking for a well-rounded wearable with an emphasis on health and fitness tracking, the Huawei Watch GT5 is a compelling option.
