The Watch GT 4, Huawei’s new connected watch, has something to seduce: elegant and durable, it tracks your activities precisely and does not hesitate to advise you on taking care of your health. And its price is reasonable!
While waiting for a possible relaxation of the American sanctions which have weighed on the firm since 2019, Huawei is leading another battlehorse to stay in the race. Failing to be able to produce very attractive smartphones like in its golden age, the Chinese giant seems to be investing heavily in connected watches. Three models have already seen the light of day since the start of the year, including the very luxurious Watch Ultimate, which was intended to be a competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra. For this fall, Huawei is adding a layer with its Watch GT 4. A connected watch available in two versions, one of 41 mm, aimed at a more feminine audience and the other, more imposing with its 46 mm case, resolutely dedicated to the generous wrists of men. On this model, which we are testing here, the Chinese brings together all its know-how, both in terms of design and functions, even if on this last point, the limitations linked, once again, to American sanctions, are still felt. But above all, Huawei is renewing a tradition which once contributed to its success: offering beauty and goodness at an affordable price since prices range from 249 to 399 euros. We were able to test the Huawei GT 4 46mm with its stainless steel bracelet (one of the most expensive versions) for several weeks. Here is our verdict.
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Huawei Watch GT 4: a neat design for strong wrists
At first glance there is no doubt about it. The Huawei GT 4 in its 46 mm version with its stainless steel bracelet is aimed at a male audience. Its large and massive appearance nevertheless hides a rather astonishing thinness of only 10.9 mm. On the other hand, you will have to support a fairly significant weight on the wrist. The case alone weighs 48 g and the whole, with the metal bracelet, still weighs 125 g.
Looking closer, we see that Huawei has taken very good care of the finishes of its watch. The watchmaking spirit is essential with a slightly beveled oval design, the absence of a window between the case and the bracelet at the level of the lugs (which also affects its width), and the screen printing of the minutes on the bezel around the dial. Beautiful work that is not usually found at this price level. The whole thing exudes solidity with a nice touch of elegance so that the watch can be worn with both a chic and casual outfit. For sport, however, it will be better to opt for a more flexible bracelet. We also salute Huawei’s work on the metal bracelet, the adjustment of the links is easy (provided you have good nails) and does not require going to a jeweler to change the size.
On the left edge, the watch is adorned with a rotating crown (like on the Apple Watch for example) and a second configurable button. Despite the presence of a speaker and a microphone, the Watch GT 4 benefits from 5 ATM water resistance. She can therefore accompany you to the swimming pool but no more.
Huawei Watch GT 4: a readable and pleasant screen
With a 46mm watch, the dial is bound to be giant. No missteps here. The Watch GT 4 has a 1.43-inch screen with a definition of 466 x 466 pixels for a resolution of 326 ppi. It is of course an Oled screen. It is bright enough to remain readable in all circumstances, including in direct sunlight despite some reflections. This large screen is very comfortable, allowing you to display a lot of information. The complications on the screen remain very readable, as do the notifications and other alerts that the watch may display.
The GT 4 also offers, as is the case today for the vast majority of connected watches and bracelets, an Always On Display mode allowing you to keep the time displayed on the screen even when the watch is Standby.
Finally, we appreciate the great variety of dials offered to change styles at will. It is possible to download new ones from the app, sometimes free, sometimes paid.
Huawei Watch GT 4: an efficient OS lacking apps
As with smartphones, Huawei does not have the right to use Google services. Also, it is not WearOS which is at work to animate its Watch GT 4 but the in-house HarmonyOS system here in version 4.0. This one has little to envy of WearOS or Apple watchOS. It turns out to be very fluid, offers a clear graphical interface, with clear menus, classic handling by vertical or horizontal sliding and a nice range of settings.
However, a few bricks are missing. We would have liked to be able to use the rotating crown more often to operate the watch more easily without necessarily placing our fingers on the screen. Furthermore, the Watch GT 4 does not offer an eSIM connection and therefore no 4G. It is therefore dependent on the presence of the smartphone (connected via Bluetooth) to make and receive calls but also SMS messages. Another limitation specifically for messages: impossible to enter them on the keyboard or dictate them. You have to settle for predefined answers. They can be modified but the number of characters cannot exceed 36. It’s a bit short. Likewise, it is impossible to make any payment (in France at least) with the on-board NFC chip. As for AI Voice, the in-house voice assistant, it only works if the watch is associated with a Huawei or Honor smartphone.
Last but not least, don’t plan to enrich this Watch GT 4 with all the apps you want. No Google PlayStore here but the AppGallery, the in-house app store dedicated to HarmonyOS, where there are only around thirty applications. In short, the Watch GT 4 lacks something to confidently project into the future in the hope of being able to equip the watch with additional apps. This does not prevent the paraphernalia of applications provided from covering most common needs.
Huawei Watch GT 4: detailed sports and health monitoring
Although it may appear imposing, the Watch GT 4 remains no less sporty. It embeds a rather efficient GPS module compatible with GNSS GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou and QZSS. Signal acquisition was rapid. A good place to start your running session without hanging around in the rain. We measured a very slight difference in measuring distances with an Apple Watch Ultra of around 3%, which remains very reasonable.
The heart rate monitor is also quite accurate. Even if the ECG is not there, the measurements delivered during exercise are not very far from those displayed by an Apple Watch Ultra or a Galaxy Watch 6. Reliable therefore.
The Watch GT 4 also includes a pulse oximeter (to measure SpO2) as well as a body temperature sensor which, like on the Apple Watch, is dedicated to predicting menstrual cycles. We also note the arrival of the StayFit app which allows you to monitor calorie consumption and expenditure in real time using a fairly well-designed dial.
Huawei Watch GT 4: an example to follow for autonomy
If there is one point where the Watch GT 4 manages to stand out from the competition, particularly that of Apple, it is of course autonomy. Huawei announces up to 14 days. We did not achieve this endurance but we were delighted to note that the Watch GT 4 only required a passage through the recharge box after six days and seven nights of use combining use of GPS, notifications, heart monitoring and Always on display mode. Not bad for a watch with such a screen. It is obviously not difficult to scrounge up a few extra days by sacrificing, for example, Always on display mode and a few other functions. Something to see coming. Good game.
For charging, the Watch GT 4 is supplied with an induction charger and can also be used with conventional Qi chargers. It took us about 1 hour 45 minutes to refuel from 0 to 100%.
Huawei Watch GT 4: should you fall for this beautiful connected watch?
With the Watch GT 4, Huawei ticks almost all the boxes for a successful smartwatch. Elegance, endurance and precision are there. Its fairly imposing size reserves it for generous and strong wrists. Equipped with its stainless steel bracelet it looks great but we regret that Huawei does not provide in the box a second silicone bracelet for example to carry out sporting activities more comfortably. Easy to live with, the GT 4 benefits from a well-designed OS to which we would have liked to be able to add a few additional applications. In the same way, forget about the possibility of separating from your smartphone for a running session. The GT 4 does not offer eSIM for calls and texts. If these little inconveniences don’t put you off, the GT 4 will convince you with great autonomy that the Apple Watch, Google Pixel Watch and other Samsung Galaxy Watches can envy. More than five days of use without keeping an anxious eye on the gauge is very appreciable. With the Watch GT 4, Huawei has created a pleasant and durable watch compatible with both Android (from version 8) and iOS (from version 13). Finally, below the symbolic bar of 300 euros, its price also remains well calculated to seduce.