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Huawei Watch 5: One minute review
Can a piece of tech get by on looks alone? The Huawei Watch 5 comes close to testing the theory; in its Titanium Silver finish, it’s simply stunning. Fortunately, it doesn’t need to coast completely as it’s packed with health and fitness tools, meaningful upgrades over past-gen Huawei wearables, and excellent battery life.
One area it still lags behind the best smartwatches is software. Despite being Huawei’s smartest watch to date, complete with eSIM support, its app store is practically non-existent for Western users. While Apple and Wear OS users enjoy standalone apps like Audible and Spotify, Watch 5 owners are stuck with offline audio or basic playback controls for their phone.
Fans of wrist-based mobile payments will be disappointed; we couldn’t link a UK credit card or even store cards to our watch, and there’s no voice assistant either. If smart features are your priority, the OnePlus Watch 3 (for Android) or an Apple Watch will serve you better.
Where the Watch 5 shines beyond its hardware, though, is health tracking. The new X-Tap sensor is fast and accurate, the GPS performed well in our tests, and the ability to broadcast heart rate to a rowing machine elevated our workouts nicely.
Factor in a week-plus of battery life, smooth switching between smart and Battery Saver modes, clear call quality, and even offline maps, and there’s plenty of substance behind the style. The fact it also works with Android and iOS devices is another boon.
So, yes, the Huawei Watch 5 is expensive, but for those prioritizing looks and health over full smartwatch functionality, it could be worth the price.
Huawei Watch 5: Specifications
|
Component |
Huawei Watch 5 |
|
Price |
From £499 |
|
Dimensions |
46mm or 42mm case size |
|
Weight |
81g with strap |
|
Case/bezel |
Titanium / Stainless steel |
|
Display |
1.5-inch (46mm) or 1.38-inch (42mm) LTPO 2.0 AMOLED |
|
GPS |
Huawei Sunflower dual-frequency GPS (offline and online full-color maps |
|
Battery life |
Up to 4.5 days in standard mode; up to 11 days in Battery Saver mode (46mm) |
|
Connection |
Bluetooth + Wi-Fi |
|
Water resistant |
IP68 + 5ATM |
Huawei Watch 5: price and availability
- Available in the Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
- Not available in the US
- Pricing starts from £399
The Huawei Watch 5 isn’t launching in the US, but Europe-wide availability is expected, with UK pricing already confirmed. It starts at £399 for the 46mm model, available in either a black 316L stainless steel case or a higher-priced titanium version, with titanium strap options including Brown, Purple, and Silver.
A smaller 42mm model is also available, with case finishes in Beige and Sand Gold (904L stainless steel) or White and Green (316L stainless steel). Huawei appears to be adopting a tiered pricing structure based on case material and size, and places the Watch 5 firmly in the upper end of the smartwatch market.
Huawei Watch 5: Design
- Premium design, especially in Titanium Silver
- 46mm Watch 5 tested, smaller 42mm version available
- IP68 and 5ATM rated
In all my years testing smartwatches, I’ve never been complimented on one quite as much as during my time reviewing the Huawei Watch 5. On public transport, out for dinner with friends, even at a client meeting, people stopped me to ask about it.
I tested the Titanium Silver model with the metal link bracelet and one-sided clasp. The watch body has a sleek, almost racing-inspired design, with curved titanium tapering seamlessly into the domed glass display. All physical controls, a rotating crown with a red accent, and a flush shortcut button, are located on the right.
Purely from a style point of view, none of the other color options match the elegance of the Titanium Silver version, and if you’re choosing based on looks, it’s the one I’d recommend. That said, the Watch 5 is also available with a sporty black strap and a vegan leather composite band, both of which better suit gym-goers or anyone after a more active look.
Compared to last year’s Watch 4, the titanium Watch 5 is significantly lighter (45% lighter than the stainless steel version), making it more comfortable for long-term wear. The display is also more immersive, thanks to slim bezels and a 1.8mm border, enhancing its premium feel.
The body is slim overall, with a modest sensor bump underneath and a clean, ergonomic profile. The large 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED screen is vibrant and bright enough for outdoor viewing, and the domed glass gives it a refined, almost analog timepiece vibe. Swiping across it feels more tactile and elegant than on most flat smartwatch displays.
The watch’s ease of use is helped along by the large 1.5-inch circular screen. It’s responsive, bright enough for comfortable outdoor viewing, and has a slim 2.2mm bezel, adding to the premium factor. The domed glass takes the Watch 5’s visual appeal even further, looking standout when set against other watches and smartwatches, and making each swipe across it feel a bit more special than on a typical flat display.
Besides, as someone with hairy wrists, I usually approach metal link bracelets with caution, but the Watch 5 was surprisingly comfortable to wear around the clock for weeks. Huawei’s spring-loaded, removable links made adjusting the fit quick and painless, and helped cement this version of the Watch 5 as one of the best-designed wearables I’ve tested in years.
Huawei Watch 5: Features – Software
- Android and iOS support
- No Gemini or Siri voice assistant support
- Very limited third-party app selection
The Huawei Watch 5 runs Harmony OS, Huawei’s multi-device platform shared across its phones, tablets, and wearables. As with Huawei’s broader ecosystem, though, the software experience on the Watch 5 is notably limited when it comes to third-party apps, even if the out-of-the-box features are extensive and well-executed.
Let’s start with the limitations. When compared to WatchOS or Wear OS, it’s evident Harmony OS simply doesn’t have the app ecosystem necessary to compete with the big two. There’s no support for popular services like Audible, Spotify, Citymapper, Google Maps, Strava, or MyFitnessPal. You can still sync workout data to Strava via the Huawei Health app on your phone and Apple Health Kit (though for Google Health Connect syncing you will need a third-party tool), but if you’re looking for native app integration, you’re out of luck.
Instead of big players, Huawei’s AppGallery is loaded up with indie-style takes on classic-themed games – Snake, Sudoku, and Jump Jump (a platform jumping game) – as well as some utilities that help you track your water intake and try and plug the holes with third-party services for turn-based Google Maps navigation and Spotify control. While the games are fun and surprisingly comfortable to pass five minutes with thanks to the Watch’s large display, we wouldn’t bank on getting meaningful value out of the AppGallery. If the Watch 5’s out-of-the-box experience doesn’t cover your bases, it’s probably worth skipping.
Thankfully for the Watch 5, the interface is intuitive, smooth, and runs in two flavors: standard mode and power saver, with both being relatively feature-rich. Whichever you use, display your apps with a single press of the digital crown, multitask across apps with a double press, and access shortcuts by pressing the button on the Watch 5’s right side.
Huawei’s Petal Maps did a good job of getting me from one side of London to another on a 13 km walk with full-color maps and easy-to-read navigation, and with global offline maps available to load onto the Watch 5 in the Huawei Health companion app, it could make for an excellent travel companion.
Battery Saver mode is impressively usable. Much like the OnePlus Watch 3, the biggest compromises include no WhatsApp replies, offline maps, or third-party apps. But switching between modes is quick – it takes a couple of seconds – and I often kept the watch in power saver mode 90% of the time, switching to full power only when I needed more functionality.
Another feature I leaned on all the time was taking calls on the Watch 5. They sounded clear, picked up my voice well, and while I only tested Bluetooth calls linked to my phone, eSIM support could be a handy addition for anyone who wants to leave their phone at home. With offline music support, I found myself pinging over MP3 podcasts and pairing Bluetooth headphones to my Watch 5 for phone-free walks, though the lack of offline Audible and Spotify files may put some off.
Having used well over 100 smartwatches, I’ve noticed I lean on smart features and third-party apps less and less over time. I increasingly defer to my phone for smart tools and my watch for fitness, notifications, and telling the time. That’s why I found it easy to accept the Huawei Watch 5’s software limitations, because what it does, it does very well. And as I’ll explain later, the battery life is exceptional.
Huawei Watch 5: Features – Health and fitness
- New X-Tap sensor captures an accurate health snapshot
- Reliable sleep tracking with balanced scoring
- Over 100 workout modes with auto-detection for four exercises
The standout addition to the Huawei Watch 5’s health tracking suite is the X-Tap sensor. This secondary sensor sits on the side of the watch and is used to verify readings from the main sensor on the underside of the watch body.
The X-Tap sensor doesn’t work passively. Instead, you trigger it manually by holding your finger to the sensor, after which, it delivers a comprehensive health snapshot including heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress levels, skin temperature, respiratory rate, and ECG data.
While two sensors may sound excessive, Huawei’s rationale makes sense. Wrists are a difficult surface for accurate readings due to factors like hair, strap fit, and movement. The X-Tap sensor improves measurement reliability by reducing these inconsistencies and providing a more suitable contact point, a fingertip. During our testing, readings from the Watch 5 matched up closely with those from standalone heart rate and blood oxygen monitors.
Huawei has also introduced a respiratory rate feature that asks users to cough a few times while the watch listens for any irregularities. It is a novel addition that worked reliably.
When it comes to sleep tracking, the Huawei Watch 5’s multi-day battery life gives it a major edge over wearables from Apple, Google, and Samsung. Unlike those watches, which often need daily charging, Huawei’s watch comfortably lasts long enough for weekly sleep tracking with no fear the battery would run out.
I also found the sleep score system to be relatively balanced, with results being more optimistic than the OnePlus Watch 3’s typically low scoring, but less relentlessly positive than Samsung’s typically optimistic sleep tracking. Sleep stages were clearly broken down and visible on the watch, with more granular data available in the app, matched with sleep suggestions.
Fitness tracking includes over 100 workout modes with a new golf mode offering on-course data. The Watch 5 can automatically detect four workouts – elliptical, rowing, running, and walking – and guide you back along outdoor routes, and even supports free-diving, tracking depth and recovery time with guided breathing. This level of versatility gives it an edge in more niche activity tracking.
For regular gym sessions, the Watch 5 was practical in my month with it. My main complaint was multitasking. Accessing apps requires a double press of the digital crown. A single press to bring up the app list would have been more efficient mid-workout, but instead, this prompts you to close your workout. That said, all the key features needed for exercise were readily accessible, it might just take a bit of time to get used to the Watch 5’s mid-exercise navigation.
Syncing data is where Huawei’s system still lags. While Huawei Health can push step data to Apple Health (and Google Health Connect with a third-party tool), it does not reliably pull data back in. For example, steps tracked on another device, such as a walking pad connected, were not reflected in Huawei Health. This limitation affects the completeness of activity tracking for users who rely on multiple devices, and in turn, prevents Huawei Health for Android and iOS from getting a full health picture with which to make fully informed recommendations.
One standout feature is heart rate broadcasting. This allows the Watch 5 to stream heart rate data to compatible gym equipment such as a Concept2 rower, besting Watch OS and Wear OS alternatives in this respect.
Huawei Watch 5: Performance
- Smooth performance across Battery Saver and standard modes
- Easy to switch across multiple phones or other Huawei wearables
- Up to 11 days of battery life with fast wireless charging
The Huawei Watch 5 offers a number of conveniences missing from rival devices. It works with both Android and iOS, and switching between phones is relatively straightforward — no full device reset is required. It also supports seamless switching between Huawei wearables on a single device, which made it easy to alternate between the Watch 5 and the Watch Fit 4 during testing. This adds appeal for users who like multiple watches.
The watch was also consistently smooth in my time with it, with no slowdown or lag, whether in full-power or Battery Saver mode, and the interface is also intuitive and customizable, with plenty of watch faces available in the Huawei Health app for extra customization. There are always-on display options to match watch faces for anyone who doesn’t mind extra battery drain, and the rotating crown, shortcut button and X-Tap sensor are all responsive.
Battery life is a highlight. Huawei quotes up to 11 days in Battery Saver mode, which matches expectations based on previous models. More importantly, the process of switching between modes is near-instant and requires minimal effort. This allowed the Watch 5 to last an entire week-long work trip without charging, despite tracking multiple gym sessions. That said, if you use GPS frequently for navigation or route tracking via Petal Maps, expect battery life to drop significantly.
Charging speeds are solid. After 20 minutes on the charger, the watch reached around 30 percent. It hit 80 percent in about an hour, with a full charge taking roughly 80 minutes. The Watch 5 supports Qi wireless charging, though this can be temperamental depending on the charger used, and charging speeds over Qi are significantly slower than with the included cable.
Huawei Watch 5: Scorecard
|
Category |
Comment |
Score |
|
Value |
A stylish, premium wearable, but not a value champion. |
3/5 |
|
Design |
Arguably the best-looking smartwatch on the scene |
5/5 |
|
Features |
Strong out-of-the-box features, but third-party app support is minimal |
3/5 |
|
Performance |
Consistently smooth, intuitive, with excellent battery life and practical tools |
4.5/5 |
|
Total |
Despite its limitations, the Watch 5 is a beautiful, capable smartwatch |
4/5 |
Huawei Watch 5 – Should I buy?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
|
Component |
OnePlus Watch 3 |
Google Pixel Watch 3 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) |
Huawei Watch 5 |
|
Price |
$499.99 / £269.99 / AU$TBC |
From $399 / £349 / AU$579 |
$329.99/ £319 / AU$599 (starting) |
From £399 (UK only) |
|
Dimensions |
46.6mm x 47.6mm x 11mm |
41 x 41 x 12.3mm / 45 x 45 x 12.3mm |
44.4mm x 44.4mm x 9.7mm |
46mm |
|
Weight |
81g with strap |
31g / 37g without straps |
33.8g |
46mm: 55g (case only), 98g with metal link band. |
|
Case/bezel |
Titanium / Stainless steel |
Recycled aluminum |
Armor Aluminum |
Aerospace-grade Titanium / Stainless Steel |
|
Display |
AMOLED 1.5-inch LTPO flexible display |
320ppi always-on display AMOLED |
1.4-inch Super AMOLED Always-On display |
1.5″ LTPO AMOLED, up to 3000 nits (46mm) |
|
GPS |
Dual-frequency GPS |
GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS |
GPS L1+L5, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo |
Huawei Sunflower GPS (offline + online full-color maps) |
|
Battery life |
Up to 120 hours (smartwatch) |
36 hours with battery saver enabled, 24 hours always-on display |
Up to 28 hours |
Up to 4.5 days (standard), 11 days (Battery Saver) |
|
Connection |
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE |
Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi with optional LTE |
Bluetooth, LTE (eSIM), NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C |
|
Water resistant |
5ATM |
WR50, IP68 |
5ATM |
IP68 + 5ATM |
How I tested
I used the Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro for a month and spent some hands-on time with the standard Watch Fit 4, comparing them directly with the Watch Fit 3, Watch GT 5 and other wearables. Tracking sleep, workouts, and health across Android and iOS devices, I was able to get a sense of how the Watch Fit 4 Pro fared after extended use, with measurements compared alongside a chest strap heart rate monitor and dedicated SpO2 monitor.
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