Hello.
Huawei has introduced a new line of smart watches GT 5/GT 5 Pro, which traditionally includes several models that differ in design, among them there are men’s and women’s options. In addition to the basic ones, there are models with the Pro prefix, which gives us an even greater variety of options. Let’s figure out together the differences between the devices, who they might suit.
But first, I would like to traditionally recall that Huawei’s smartwatch strategy differs from both Apple and Samsung. The company has focused on a variety of watch designs, meaning that each series offers models that can be safely called very different within their generation. The case materials vary, straps are used, which become a distinctive feature of the watch, attracting attention to them. This approach is directly borrowed from the watch industry, where it creates a certain caliber, around which many models are built, sometimes very different. A watch is an individual thing, as a result, one design will definitely not suit everyone. In Apple Watch, we see just the opposite attempt to squeeze all people into one design, which de facto failed. The company is forced to create watches that are different from each other, to follow the path of other manufacturers. Huawei has already gone down this path.
There is another important point that allowed Huawei to make a breakthrough. The company refused to use “heavy” OS for watches, they considered that initially it is possible to sacrifice the installation of additional applications, but to ensure a long operating time from one charge. Most Huawei smart watches operate from one to two weeks on one charge, which ensures extremely comfortable use. For comparison, Apple Watch needs to be charged daily, its operating time, officially declared, is 10 to 18 hours in Watch Series. Later, Huawei added the ability to install a small number of applications, but for users this is not as important as the operating time.
The last thing we see in Huawei’s approach is openness to any system. The company’s smartwatches can work with both iPhone and any Android smartphone, there is no lock-in exclusively to their devices. The watch is equally well supported on any smartphone, and has no limitations. In Samsung, the watch is fully revealed only on Galaxy smartphones, the use of Apple Watch is possible only with iPhone, both companies do not try to make their smartwatches universal.
The last brick of Huawei’s strategy is logical – a wide range of models in terms of not only design, but also the cost of the models. The company is trying to maintain the price/quality ratio, to saturate the market in different price segments. And here we see both affordable watches of the GT series, and Ultimate Design, which cost as much as a good Swiss mechanic.
Ultimately, Huawei’s strategy has proven to be effective, with the company’s share of the smartwatch market steadily growing. Check out the latest data from IDC for Q2 2024. The report takes into account both sports bands and smartwatches, but even without bands, the company is showing similarly staggering growth, as the GT 4 series has been a huge success.
And so it became necessary for Huawei to repeat this success, or rather, to consolidate it. Both the previous models of the GT 4 series smartwatches and the new line will exist on the market at the same time. This creates a different price offer, conventionally the old models are cheaper and more accessible, as it has always been. But the new products have changes that are guaranteed to attract new buyers, and this is not only the design.
Key differences between GT5/GT5 Pro and the previous generation
In terms of hardware, Huawei has completely updated the TruSense sensor, it has increased the number of channels for monitoring the oxygen level in the blood, previously there were four, now there are twelve. The glass covering the sensor has been changed, it cuts off external light, which also increases the accuracy of measurements. Plus, Huawei used AI models to train algorithms, which more accurately determines the pulse for different people, life scenarios. How this works in practice, we will definitely check in comparison with GT 4, but it is the TruSense update that can be considered the key difference.
“Emotions” is best viewed using the example of a watch face with a panda, which changes depending on your mood, it can be happy or sad. In this game form, real indicators are shown, built on the basis of heart rate variability. In the Huawei Health app, you can measure your emotional state at any time or see how it has changed during the day.
Huawei has redesigned the built-in GPS antenna, it is called the “Sunflower positioning system”. The antenna uses an adaptive algorithm, adjusts to what you are doing, and more accurately takes into account movements, pace, and builds a route. The company cites the following data: the accuracy of determining the pace has increased by 20%, distance – by 30%, the accuracy of registering the route – by 40%. For people who do sports, for example, cross-country running, it became possible to download routes with intermediate points, mark checkpoints (in the GT 5 Pro model).
Please note that the GT 5 Pro also supports the IP69K protection standard, the watch can be used for diving to a depth of 40 meters, the corresponding mode is in the settings.
For me, one of the key functions is such a “little thing” as the ability to take screenshots by pressing two side keys, they are immediately synchronized with the gallery on the phone. Excellent and long overdue necessity.
Design, technical characteristics
Let’s take a closer look at the models and evaluate their design. The basic GT 5 models are made of stainless steel, the dial diameter is 41 and 46 mm.
In the GT 5 Pro version, we also see a division into men’s and women’s watches. The case is made of titanium alloy (46 mm) or nanocrystalline ceramics (42 mm, women’s version).
For comparison, look at the GT 4 series.
The continuity of design is clearly visible to the naked eye, but as you saw above, there are differences between the watches. We will talk about them a little later, but for now let’s look at the technical characteristics of the models.
| GT 5 41 mm | GT 5 46 mm | GT 5 Pro 42 mm | GT 5 Pro 46 mm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size, mm | 41,3 × 41,3 × 9,5 | 45,8 × 45,8 × 10,7 | 42,49 × 42,49 × 9,6 | 46,3 × 46,3 × 10,9 |
| Weight, grams (without strap) | 35 | 48 | 44 | 53 |
| Body material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Nanocrystalline ceramics | Titanium alloy |
| Back panel | Composite material | Composite material | Nanocrystalline ceramics | Nanocrystalline ceramics |
| Strap, mm | Width 18mm, wrist circumference 120-190mm | Width 22mm, wrist circumference 140-210mm | Width 18mm, wrist circumference 130-190mm | Width 22mm, wrist circumference 140-210mm |
| Display | 1.32 inches AMOLED 466×466 pixels 352 ppi | 1.43 inches AMOLED 466×466 pixels 326 ppi | 1.32 inches AMOLED 466×466 pixels 352 ppi | 1.43 inches AMOLED 466×466 pixels 326 ppi |
| Wireless charging time | About 60 minutes | About 60 minutes | About 60 minutes | About 60 minutes |
| Opening hours | Up to 7 days | Up to 14 days | Up to 7 days | Up to 14 days |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Works as a headset | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water protection | IP69K | IP69K | IP69K | IP69K |
Prices, availability on the market
We have reached the most curious part — the prices for the new generation of watches. They will be available on the market from the moment of the announcement (except for the women’s version of the GT 5 Pro with ceramics, these watches will appear in a month). The prices look very interesting:
- Huawei Watch GT 5 – 22,999 rubles (any size), women’s watch with a Milanese metal strap – 24,999 rubles;
- Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro – 29,999 rubles (strap with black fluoroelastomer), with titanium strap – 39,999 rubles;
- Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, women’s version in ceramic and with the same strap – 49,999 rubles (version with a fluoroelastomer strap – 39,999 rubles).
I am calm about the design of men’s watches, they are designed in the same style, more or less understandable. But the women’s GT 5 Pro in ceramics looks like something very expensive and attractive. The result is an attractive watch that attracts the eye, they look very good. The company has, on the one hand, not prohibitively expensive watches, on the other hand, as an accessory they look extremely interesting. I want to highlight this model.
To put the new line in the context of Huawei’s model range, I will note that GT 4 costs significantly less today, but they were released at prices higher than the GT 5 line. On the market, you can buy GT 4 41 mm from 12-13 thousand rubles, GT 4 46 mm also from 13 thousand rubles. The popularity of Huawei smart watches is largely dictated by an aggressive pricing policy. For comparison, Samsung Watch 7 costs about 24-25 thousand rubles (both 40 and 44 mm).
On the Samsung side is Wear OS, full integration with Android, availability of almost any applications, but the battery life is one to one and a half days. And this is very little compared to Huawei. In principle, we are in different worlds, and this particular version of Samsung looks sporty, offers a completely different style. The fact that Huawei creates smart watches that look like watches without any discounts is another attractive factor for many, such a product has the widest possible audience.
There is no point in comparing the Huawei line with the Apple Watch, they are completely different ideologically. Rectangle and regular watches, my choice is always in favor of the latter.
This material is by no means a review of new watches, we will consider these models in two materials – GT 5 and GT 5 Pro, which is logical, we will talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the models. Consider this an introduction to the new products, which will continue in detailed reviews. In the meantime, a question for you – how do you like the design of the new products, what do you like about them? What, perhaps, do you not like?
Source: mobile-review.com
