Huawei Watch 5 Smartwatch - We'll tell you about new health-related features and the new X TAP sensor
Introduction
The Huawei Watch 5 is the company's flagship smartwatch for 2025. After extensive testing of a pre-production unit (note: some features may change with final firmware), here's our comprehensive review of what's new and whether it's worth your money.
Market Positioning
Huawei maintains strong position in global wearables market alongside Samsung and Apple.
Offers wider product range than competitors with models for different needs:
- Premium Ultimate Watch Series
- Sport-focused GT Fit Series
- Medical-oriented D Series
- Fitness trackers (B Series)
- Kids' watches
Cross-platform compatibility (works with both iOS and Android).
Design and Build Quality
Size Options:
- 46mm version (tested)
- New 42mm compact version
Materials:
- Titanium (reviewed)
- Stainless steel
Key Features:
- Sapphire glass (available on both material options)
- 8 color choices
- Thinner bezels (1.8mm) with 10% more screen area
- Weight: 83g with strap (vs 96g for Apple Watch Ultra 2)
- New proprietary strap mechanism with metal guide and push-button pins
Durability:
- Excellent scratch resistance during testing
- Withstood frequent impacts during daily wear
- Note: Curved screen design may be more prone to damage
Display and Interface:
- Brighter AMOLED display (2,000 nits peak, 3,000 nits local)
- Curved glass creates unique visual effect in UI
- Smooth animations and responsive touch
- New gesture controls (still being refined):
- Double tap to confirm
- Thumb swipe for scrolling (needs improvement)
- Customizable modular watch face with 5 slots
- Widget system with multiple layout options
Performance and Battery Life
- Harmony OS with redesigned interface
- Tested battery life: ~2 days with
- 2 hour-long GPS workouts
- 2 high-intensity interval trainings
- Charging:
- 55% in 30 minutes
- Full charge in 1h15m
- Requires 20W charger for fast charging
Health Monitoring Features
New XT Sensor:
- Located between button and crown
- Enables three-stage health check:
- 30-second ECG (atrial fibrillation detection)
- Pulse and blood oxygen measurement
- Respiratory health assessment (via cough detection)
Other Health Features:
- Continuous heart rate monitoring
- Sleep tracking (day and night)
- Skin temperature measurement
- Stress monitoring
- HRV (Heart Rate Variability) tracking
- Note: Blood pressure monitoring may not be available in all regions
Sports and Fitness:
- Numerous workout modes
- Customizable workout screens
- Voice coach (English only)
- Auto-detection for running and walking
- Dual-frequency GPS (fast acquisition but some signal issues in testing)
- Offline maps (limited regional support)
Smart Features
- eSIM support
- NFC payments (limited bank support)
- Notification replies (Android only, preset responses)
- Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
- App store available
Pricing and Availability
- 46mm Titanium: ~$730
- 42mm Stainless Steel: ~$500
Verdict
The Huawei Watch 5 offers incremental updates over previous models. Key considerations:
Pros:
- Premium build quality
- Innovative health sensors
- Improved display
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Extensive health tracking
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
- Some features still in development
- GPS performance needs improvement
- Limited regional support for some functions
Alternatives to Consider:
- Huawei Watch 4 Pro (now at reduced price ~$330)
- Competing models from Apple, Samsung, or Garmin for specific needs
Would you choose the Huawei Watch 5 over its competitors? Share your thoughts in the comments. For most users, the discounted Watch 4 Pro may offer better value unless you specifically need the new health monitoring features.
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