Stylish smartwatch with integrated keyboard and the innovative TruSense system

In the increasingly crowded world of smartwatches, HUAWEI manages to stand out once again. This time, with the new Watch GT 5 series, which includes both standard and Pro models.

I had the opportunity to test the standard 46mm model. Let’s see everything this smartwatch can do.

HUAWEI Watch GT 5: Design

From the first visual contact, this wearable impressed me with its special look, which has not changed compared to the models in the GT 4 range. Which is not a bad thing at all, on the contrary: its octagonal body is an approach original in a market dominated by round and rectangular shapes.

I really like this aesthetic choice because it reminds me of the classic watches I’m a fan of. The blue fluorine rubber strap (ie a synthetic rubber) is soft and comfortable to wear.

A noteworthy detail is that the material is not only wear-resistant, but remains like new after intensive use. More precisely: after two weeks of daily wear, the strap shows no signs of damage, even after being loosened and adjusted several times.

I like to notice details, so the fine stitching visible on both the front and back of the strap immediately caught my eye.

Strength and durability

The smartwatch case is made of stainless steel and tempered glass that provides protection against scratches and daily wear and tear. I accidentally bumped it a few times against doors in the house, but the screen and case were not damaged. I didn’t notice any signs of corrosion.

The device is also water resistant, so you can shower with it without a problem, but you can also swim or dive with it up to 50 meters. To prevent water from accumulating inside, the watch has a special drain function.

Screen and interface

The model we tested has a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. It has a new interface with intense colors and an immersive view, and the text is easy to read even in direct sunlight.

Auto-brightness generally works well, although it can sometimes have slight lags. However, when Always On Display is enabled, the screen remains readable regardless of ambient conditions.

The back is quickly filled with fingerprints and normal skin oil or sweat, so it needs to be wiped from time to time.

The user experience

The interface, based on HarmonyOS 5.0 for the first time, is intuitive and comes with smoother transitions and a clearer organization of information. I was able to easily navigate between the different functions either by tapping or using the rotating crown on the right side.

Watchfaces are varied and attractive, with options to suit different lifestyles: from sporty to more elegant. There are even interactive options, but they use more battery.

On the subject of the battery: I appreciated the fact that before choosing a watch face, I knew exactly if it would lead to a shorter life or not.

Health and fitness monitoring features

The Chinese company has a solid reputation in the field of health monitoring, and the new smartwatch is distinguished by an advanced system for monitoring it, as well as physical activities.

TruSense technology provides improved measurement accuracy, from heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring to sleep and stress analysis.

The watch uses advanced algorithms and optical technologies to provide more accurate data compared to previous generations.

Another feature I appreciated is the exercise reminder function. The watch prompts you with an encouraging message to get up and take a few steps if you’ve been sitting for too long.

I also liked that the device praises you when you hit your health goals for the day and encourages you to do the same in the following days.

The Health Summary feature has been enhanced to provide a wider range of health data. Users can check their health status either daily, weekly, monthly or annually.

For fitness enthusiasts, the watch offers over 100 workout programs, including running, yoga, swimming and cycling.

I find the Running Form Analysis feature a plus for those looking to improve their running performance, as it provides detailed feedback on, among other things, balance during ground contact.

If you want accurate and detailed navigation for activities like trail running or hiking, this smartwatch uses HUAWEI Sunflower, which is a precise location system.

Sleep and stress monitoring

The watch includes the TruSleep function, which monitors sleep cycles and provides recommendations to improve quality.

Every morning, the device gave me information about when I fell asleep and when I woke up, as well as when I was in deep sleep and REM.

The stress monitoring feature is very useful for users who want to maintain their mental balance. The watch offers guided breathing exercises to help you relax.

HUAWEI Watch GT 5: Autonomy and charging

Huawei promises a battery life of up to 14 days for the 46 mm model we tested and up to 7 days for the 42/41 mm models.

Depending on the needs of each user, you may see lower or better battery life results.

I used the watch to receive notifications, measure my steps, but also to monitor my heart rate, sleep quality and stress level. The battery lasted a maximum of 12 days (with the display brightness set to half).

A full battery charge with the included magnetic wireless charger takes around two hours.

Smart functions and connectivity

The watch is compatible with phones running Android 8.0 and above and iOS 13.0 and above. It provides instant notifications for messages, calls and social media apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.

I was able to respond to classic messages or messages sent from Instagram, WhatsApp or FB Messenger directly from the display either using the predefined responses or using the integrated keyboard, a first for HUAWEI smartwatches.

However, the keyboard is not ideal if you want to write long messages. To add emojis or numbers, you must exit keyboard mode and then return. You might prefer to take your smartphone out of your pocket to compose a message.

The music control feature is welcome and I was able to adjust the volume or change the track without taking the phone out of my pocket. The option to store music directly on the watch for offline playback is a plus for training sessions.

A new feature: Screenshots

You can also take screenshots with this smartwatch by holding down the rotating crown and the bottom right button at the same time. Images are automatically saved directly to the phone.

HUAWEI Health app

To get the most out of the watch’s capabilities, we used the HUAWEI Health app, which comes with workout functions, sleep monitoring, and breathing exercises.

The Health+ premium version includes sports or meditation masterclasses and the Stay Fit Plan, available for 39.99 lei per month.

Personalization and other smart functions

The built-in flashlight has eight different colors and three flash modes, and color maps display detailed routes for outdoor activities like hiking or running.

Conclusion

If you want a smartwatch that not only looks good, but also helps you monitor and improve your lifestyle with a wide range of health monitoring features, while offering useful smart functionality, the HUAWEI Watch GT 5 may be just right. what you want

It can be worn by anyone, both in the park and at the theater. It is durable and the design makes it ideal for users who want something special on their wrist.

HUAWEI Watch GT 5 availability and pricing

The 46mm models are available for sale today, and the 41/42mm models from 10/15 (with the possibility of pre-order from 09/19).

Between September 19 and October 31, the products will also benefit from a special offer that you can consult here.

With every order placed for both standard and Pro models, you will receive a free pair of HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i with 12 months extended warranty and 3 months free HUAWEI Health+ subscription.

In addition, you can also enjoy an extra package: +49 lei for the Smart HUAWEI Scale 3 and +9.9 lei for the watch strap.

HUAWEI Watch GT 5 46 mm and blue strap has a price of 1399 lei.