Huawei Watch D2: Smartwatch with blood pressure measurement in test

Smartwatches now measure numerous health data directly on the wrist, including pulse, heart rate variability or oxygen levels in the blood. Some models even offer a single-phase ECG or analyze body composition, including muscle and fat mass, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

However, blood pressure remains a particularly important health parameter, especially since around a third of Germans suffer from high blood pressure. Traditionally, an upper arm or wrist cuff is needed to measure blood pressure at home, until Samsung made it possible to measure blood pressure using a pulse sensor after prior calibration in its smartwatches a few years ago.

At the end of 2022, Huawei surprised everyone with the Watch D, a smartwatch with an integrated wrist cuff for measuring blood pressure – a first on the market to date. Now the Watch D2 is the successor model, which has been revised in terms of both functionality and design. A clear sign that Huawei is serious is the certification of the Watch D2 as a medical device according to European standards (European CE (MDR) medical certification). In addition, the manufacturer recorded 500,000 blood pressure measurements during development.

So if you are looking for a health powerhouse for your wrist, then you should read on!

Buy Huawei Watch D2 at Media Markt

Huawei Watch D2: Much more modern design

While the predecessor looked very much like a medical device, the design of the Watch D2 is now much more modern and is more like a smartwatch. The first thing that springs to mind is a comparison to an Apple Watch, but every watch with a rectangular display has to put up with that. The display measures 1.4 inches and offers plenty of space for information.

At 13 millimeters, the Watch D2 is a bit thicker than most normal smartwatches, but when you consider the range of functions, the thickness is put into perspective. The Watch D2 weighs 80 grams with the shorter strap, which is also a bit more than a regular smartwatch. Nevertheless, it is very comfortable to wear in everyday life. You only notice the weight on your arm when you are training.

The wristband is unusually wide at 26 millimeters. But it does have an inflatable cuff on the underside for measuring blood pressure. And anyone who has ever had a normal blood pressure monitor on their wrist will laugh at the width of the wristband. There is one disadvantage, however: the wide cuff means you sweat more than usual under the band. This means the wristband is relatively damp, especially after exercise. You should therefore pay a little more attention to cleaning the Watch D2. Good to know: The smartwatch is IP68 protected. This means that brief submersion in clear fresh water is OK. We would still not shower or go swimming with the watch.

Blood pressure measurements at the touch of a button or at 24-hour intervals

An important step when setting up the Watch D2 is measuring your wrist circumference. Huawei includes a special measuring tape in the packaging for this. Depending on the circumference, you have to attach one of the two included wristbands so that the measurements work properly and produce correct values. Calibration is not necessary with the Watch D2. After that, you can get started straight away!

To take a measurement, simply press the button on the side of the Watch D2. The watch guides you through the process, with you bending your left arm at heart level. The watch then inflates the integrated cuff and delivers the values ​​for systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as the pulse in just a few seconds. Huawei emphasizes that the measurement can be taken in almost any position – whether standing, sitting or lying down, as long as you remain still and do not speak. This makes the Watch D2 more flexible than conventional blood pressure monitors.

But it gets really exciting with the automated monitoring. Using the smartwatch or the Huawei Health app, you can create a personal plan for the intervals at which the Watch D2 should measure your blood pressure during the day or at night. This makes it very easy to carry out a 24-hour measurement. The small smartwatch is much more comfortable to wear than the clunky and, above all, loud 24-hour measuring devices from the doctor. You can hardly hear the cuff on the watch being inflated, while an upper arm measuring device can be over 60 decibels loud. So measurements while you sleep are not disturbing, at least acoustically.

Anyone who activates automated monitoring can export all data as a PDF after completion and forward it to their doctor. Anyone who regularly carries out such measurements also receives weekly status reports via the app that show changes and provide health tips.

How accurate are the blood pressure measurements with the Watch D2?

Measuring blood pressure is a delicate matter. There are many things that can interfere with the measurement or distort the results. A measurement with a stethoscope at the doctor’s is still considered the most precise method. Devices for the upper arm or wrist, such as the Watch D2, do not quite achieve this level of accuracy. Huawei states a deviation of ±8 mmHg, which was also confirmed in our test with a Medisana upper arm device. Of course, the measurements with our device on the upper arm are also subject to deviations from the actual blood pressure, as no measuring device is perfect.

Compared to the upper arm measurements, the Watch D2’s readings tend to be slightly lower for systole and slightly higher for diastole. If you measure at home, you should also remember that high blood pressure is already considered to be present at lower readings (135/85 mmHg), as people are often more relaxed at home.

The Watch D2 provides a 360-degree health overview within a short time

Huawei calls its all-round health overview “Health Glance”. In addition to blood pressure, the Watch D2 also measures pulse, blood oxygen, skin temperature, stress and performs an ECG. The smartwatch is also supposed to be able to detect arterial stiffness. And all of this within a measurement lasting around 90 seconds. Of course, the user can also carry out all measurements individually and as needed. However, those who use the Health Glance regularly can quickly identify any changes and take countermeasures if necessary.

At night, the Huawei Watch D2 not only measures blood pressure, but also records sleep quality. It analyses sleep phases and creates a detailed sleep report every morning, which can be viewed in the app, including explanations of the individual values.

Die Watch D2 dient als normale Smartwatch

The Huawei Watch D2 is not only a health monitor, but also a full-fledged smartwatch that records activities throughout the day. Sports can also be recorded, although the distance measurement is not quite as precise as with Huawei’s top models such as the Watch GT 5 Pro, but still reaches a good level. The heart rate sensor, on the other hand, offers very high accuracy in everyday life and during sports.

The Watch D2 is on par with other Huawei smartwatches in terms of its other functions. This means that you get notifications from your apps on your wrist and can answer them using quick replies. There is no keyboard like on the GT 5 Pro. You can also make phone calls on the D2 if you want. Otherwise, the watch is less smart. There is no music streaming via Spotify, no mobile payment and a limited selection of apps. The good thing about the Huawei Watch D2 is that it is compatible with both Android smartphones and iPhones.

Strong battery life

If you use the Watch D2 as a normal smartwatch in everyday life and measure your blood pressure a handful of times, one charge can last almost a week. However, if you measure your blood pressure continuously, even at night, the battery will only last a day – which is still acceptable.

Conclusion: Who is the Watch D2 suitable for?

With the Watch D2, Huawei has launched a smartwatch that offers a comprehensive overview of your health. No other manufacturer currently combines so many health functions in a wearable that can also be used as a normal smartwatch. The price of 399 euros seems reasonable to us given the range of functions. The Watch D2 is particularly interesting for users who either already have high blood pressure and want to monitor their medication, or who suspect they have high blood pressure. However, the smartwatch is not a substitute for a visit to the doctor and cannot guarantee absolute accuracy, but may provide information for medical measures.