Huawei Watch GT 5: Review
The newest model in Huawei’s mainstream smartwatch series, the Watch GT 5, replaces the GT 4 with a few minor but welcome upgrades. It hopes to attract customers with its gaudy, fashionable design and strong focus on sports and fitness tracking; yet, because of the US trade embargo, it still struggles in areas like third-party app support.
All things considered, the Huawei Watch GT 5 represents true value for both Android and iOS customers who favour fitness and health above a large app store at its affordable price point of £229.99 (about $300). While the GT 5 lacks some of the more expensive features of its Pro sister, such as advanced golf or trail run tracking or ECG functionality, it is still a strong all-arounder with a good battery life and trustworthy fitness and health tracking functions.
What’s New:
Darker skin tones, enhanced heart rate monitor accuracy during vigorous exercise, and more are features of the TruSense System.
Improved dual-frequency GPS positioning for more precise location monitoring is provided by the Sunflower Positioning System.
Redesigned case: For the 46mm variant, a more pronounced octagonal form and a slightly smaller body are present.
New measurements for cycling and running: a more thorough examination of bike activity and running form.
Screenshot and keyboard support: You can take screenshots by pressing two buttons, and you can type replies using the full QWERTY keyboard.
There are two sizes of the Huawei Watch GT 5: a 46mm model for men and a 41mm one for women. I truly appreciate that Huawei has produced two unique, aesthetically pleasing designs for men and women rather than having one unisex model in two sizes, as Apple Watch does. Although the GT 5 lacks an LTE version, the basic features of both versions are the same, with the exception of the variations in size, display, and battery life. I’m putting the 46mm Watch GT 5 to the test for this review.
The Huawei Watch GT 5 is priced at £230 / €250 (about $300), which is quite expensive when compared to products from Apple and Samsung. For instance, the base models of the Galaxy Watch 7 start at $300 / £289 / €319, while the Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399 / £399 / €450.
Sizes, Bands, and Design of the Huawei Watch GT 5
The Watch GT 5 maintains the stylish yet cosy design of the GT 4 but with a slightly slimmer case. Sharper edges have been added to the polished octagonal bezel design to give it more personality. Although the Watch GT 5 is composed of sturdy 316L stainless steel, it is not equipped with the Pro version’s scratch-resistant sapphire glass. Although the watch feels hefty due to its stainless steel case, overall it is delightfully lightweight and doesn’t distract when engaging in daily activities. Considering the large display it has, this is impressive.
Thankfully, the 1.43-inch AMOLED panel on the 46mm model has not altered. It is a typically good display with deep blacks and rich colours. I had no trouble reading it outside, but the screen’s brightness won’t burn your retinas. I find it very appealing since there is hardly any black bezel surrounding it. This gives the Huawei Watch GT 5 a more contemporary appearance and enables a greater range of watch faces to blend in perfectly with the watch’s style.
Three distinct band styles are available for the Watch GT 5: brown leather, black silicone, and a brand-new blue option made of a silicone and nylon blend. The latter looks fantastic in person. Having said that, you may easily replace the band with whatever model you prefer because the device uses a normal 22mm band size.
Features & Software of Huawei Watch GT 5
The Watch GT 5, which runs Huawei’s proprietary HarmonyOS, is compatible with both Android and iPhone, however, iOS users have some restrictions. For instance, you are often unable to respond to messages or other notifications on the watch and cannot install apps on it. Considering that the Watch GT’s app store now appears to be somewhat empty, I don’t think the former is a huge loss.
In addition, the Huawei Watch GT 5 has a full QWERTY keyboard for quick replies and supports taking screenshots by simultaneously pushing the two physical buttons. Regretfully, Huawei Wallet is still the only app that allows contactless payments with the watch, and it is only compatible with a few nations.
Workout tracking
Numerous exercise options are included with the Watch GT 5, ranging from swimming and jogging to hiking, cycling, rowing, and more. Additionally, you may add even more activity kinds, like crossfit, weight training, and even some exotic ones like eSports, from the Custom area of the workouts tab.
There are new sophisticated measurements for runners, such as ground contact time, vertical oscillation, and balance, while for cyclists, the GT 5’s real-time data processing allows them to utilise their phone as a bike computer.
Thanks to the so-called TruSense system, which includes upgraded components and more advanced sensor location for better readings, heart rate tracking on the Watch GT 5 has been significantly enhanced. I used the Huawei Watch GT 5 for strength training and outdoor running, and I discovered that it was generally accurate, which should be sufficient for the majority of users. Your bike or jogging routes are very accurately mapped by the dual-frequency GPS in the interim. There were no problems or lags in determining my GPS location.
Sleep Tracking
Complete sleep monitoring is supported by the watch, which provides some helpful context for the majority of the crucial data. Additionally, I discovered that the automated sleep mode engagement function operated consistently. In my tests, sleep tracking itself felt fairly accurate. The Huawei Sleep Breathing Awareness feature, which assists in identifying any respiratory problems while you sleep, is also supported by the watch. Its objective is to detect breathing disruptions while you sleep and classify them into four groups: normal, low, moderate, and high.
Health Features
The Huawei Watch GT 5 is jam-packed with features. The GT 5 includes the usual heart rate and SpO2 monitoring along with stress tracking, skin temperature monitoring, and female cycle tracking. The Pro model’s arterial stiffness and ECG functions are absent from the GT 5.
The business also provides some premium (paid) options, such as exercise classes, meditations, Stay Fit regimens, and more, through the Huawei Health app.
Huawei Watch GT 5 Battery and Charging
The GT 5’s 46mm variant has a battery life of up to 14 days, although heavy use (with GPS and continuous heart rate monitoring) shortens that to about a week. The Huawei proprietary charging port allows the watch to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately one hour.
Meanwhile, the GT 5 41mm model has a maximum battery life of up to 7 days. According to Huawei’s calculations, this model should provide approximately five days of battery life. The feminine model’s shorter battery life is regrettable, but given its smaller size and hence reduced battery capacity, there’s probably not much that can be done about it at this time.
All things considered, one of the Watch GT 5’s best features is its battery life. In the land of Apple, Samsung, or Google, where smartwatches often survive only a day or two, such numbers appear absurd.
Haptics and Voice Calls on the Huawei Watch GT 5
When the GT 5 is linked to a phone, users may accept calls right from the watch thanks to its integrated speaker and microphone. The call quality is sufficient to complete the task. Users may also save music files on the watch itself and then play that music via Bluetooth straight to their earbuds, providing some offline, phone-free training time.
In general, haptic feedback is done quite nicely. It feels amazing to be able to control the crown to navigate the interface and receive notifications and alerts. Although not quite as good as Apple’s, I’d say the haptics are still really good.
Rivals of the Huawei Watch GT 5
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and the Garmin Vivoactive 5 are two of its main rivals. The Vivoactive 5 offers superior health insights, but the Galaxy Watch 7 has a broader app ecosystem. But with a longer battery life, more precise fitness monitoring, and a lower price, the Watch GT 5 sticks out. If you don’t care too much about third-party apps, it’s also a nice, fashionable, and less expensive watch than the Apple Watch for iPhone users.
Should You Buy the Huawei Watch GT 5?
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that focusses on fitness and health and has a long battery life but doesn’t require a real app ecosystem or other unique features like contactless payments, the Huawei Watch GT 5 is a wonderful option. These are significant exclusions, to be sure, but luckily the Watch GT 5 is far less expensive than other popular watches like the Apple Watch or the Galaxy Watch. If it had been priced similarly, these omissions would have been too enormous.
With its competitive pricing, stylish appearance, long-lasting battery, and superior fitness tracking, the Watch GT 5 is a formidable competitor in the mid-range smartwatch arena. The Watch GT 5 is equipped with an extensive feature set, boasts an exquisite screen, operates rapidly, and does the job well. Although it isn’t precisely inexpensive, it has character, is constructed of high-quality stainless steel, and has an attractive appearance that may surpass most popular alternatives. And this is, I think, just plenty to justify your time.