Huawei has just unveiled its new smartwatch, the Watch GT 5 Pro, and we were able to get our hands on it exclusively before its release.
Huawei recently unveiled its new premium smartwatch, the Watch GT 5 Pro. Designed to succeed the GT 4 and the GT 3 Pro, this watch sports a sober design without forgetting to have very good performance. Discover our hands-on with the new Huawei GT 5 Pro.
A design that can be seen
Launched alongside the GT 5, Huawei’s new Watch GT 5 Pro smartwatch comes in two wrist sizes: 42 and 46 mm. For this hands-on, we have the larger model. The latter sports a relatively understated design, but with a more hexagonal frame than previous models or the 42 mm version. The result is a fairly large watch that will be perfect for a multitude of fairly large wrists.
The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro in 46 mm format is available in two colors: silver and black. It is this last version that we are equipped with for this hands-on and it is clear that the watch is relatively versatile. However, its case remains thicker than a majority of traditional watches.
However, the weight of the Watch GT 5 Pro 46 mm never bothered us. Huawei has managed to keep the weight to around 50 g with the strap provided in the box. This is around 10 g less than the weight of an Apple Watch Ultra and it is felt on a daily basis. The Watch GT 5 Pro does not weigh down our wrist, whether in everyday life or for sports. Huawei’s watch is notably IP68 certified, which gives it resistance to water and dust.
The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is equipped with two physical buttons for controls. The top one allows you to access the menu of applications installed on the watch with one press. This same button is a toothed crown and can be turned to reduce the said applications and display their names. Quite practical when you are not used to Huawei icons. A double press on the crown allows you to display the last applications browsed. The bottom button is dedicated to an application of your choice. Like the “Action” button on the Apple Watch Ultra, it is possible to assign it the action you want from a multitude of choices available depending on the applications installed on the Watch GT 5 Pro. For our tests, we assigned it to the heart rate sensor as well as to sleep mode to activate it quickly before going to bed.
Performance worthy of its name
The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is one of the most expensive models of smart watches from Huawei. We are therefore entitled to expect good performances from the latter, especially to stick to its “Pro” name.
We were able to try the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro at rest, but also during different sports activities including cycling, treadmill running and outdoor walking. The smartwatch has just over 100 different types of sports and workouts with about fifteen dedicated to professionals.
We compared the results of the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro with those of an Apple Watch Ultra (first generation) on these different tests. While the comparison turned out to be fairly fair for both smartwatches, the GT 5 Pro’s numbers were closer to our cycling and treadmill running sessions, particularly in terms of calories lost.
The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro also has an activity history that allows you to set sports goals for each day. This application, which is very practical, is however reminiscent of the Apple Watch’s activity rings by displaying calories to lose, workouts and steps to take each day. Fortunately, the Watch GT 5 Pro has automatic detection of workouts completed, which saves you the hassle of going through the applications to find the sport you are doing. A small downside, however: the goals achieved are vocally scanned by the watch, and we will tend to deactivate this option under penalty of being quickly observed by those around us at the gym.
Other health applications are installed by default on the Watch GT 5 Pro. We were able to set up the “sleep” application to track our nights and program our alarms. This makes it easier to analyze our different phases of falling asleep. This application can be set according to specific times or with automatic detection of your sleep. The results observed during our tests seemed rather convincing to us and the application highlighted when we were in a deep sleep or waking up. We were also able to take several heart rate measurements at rest or during sports activities to observe changes in the “heart rate” application.
As for social features, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is able to respond directly to messages from multiple apps without having to take out your smartphone. The built-in keyboard will however be quite complicated to use for larger fingers who will certainly have to continue using their phone to respond to messages and notifications on social networks. A defect that is also found in the round format of the watch which is not the most practical for displaying text.
Very solid autonomy for a correct recharge
Huawei announces up to 10 days of battery life in typical use and 14 days of maximum battery life for its Watch GT 5 Pro. We were able to try the watch for about twenty days, and were surprised by its battery life which turns out to be beyond these indications.
Unplugged at 100% battery life on Wednesday, August 27, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro ended up turning off more than two weeks later, on Thursday, September 12. This brings its battery life to 16 days during which we were able to use it in a conventional way with a few scattered sports sessions. A very good score, but we regret a little the absence of an “energy saving” mode which could be useful when we do not have a charger nearby, especially when on vacation outside.
For its recharge, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro comes with a compatible charger in its box upon purchase. The latter allows the connected watch to be fully recharged from 0 to 100% in just over an hour and a half during our tests. It’s a bit long, but it only takes about an hour to recharge the majority of the battery and the autonomy of the watch compensates a little.
Our conclusion after getting started with the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro
The new Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is definitely shaping up to be a very good smartwatch. Featuring a sober design, it has all the applications and uses that one would expect for a watch stamped “Pro”, particularly in its performance and activity monitoring.
One of the best points of the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, however, remains its autonomy. Apple Watch regulars will be greatly surprised with this watch capable of being used for several weeks.
However, we can complain a little about the recharge which could have been a little faster, but also its keyboard which remains a little small and complicated to use for some users. The latter is also impossible to configure according to your desires or habits in the version we had.