With the brand new HUAWEI Watch 5, the manufacturer is offering a new smartwatch that aims to revolutionize health monitoring with the innovative X-TAP health sensor. And the wearable really is at the top of its game, as our HUAWEI Watch 5 test shows.
Technical data
| Product name | Watch 5 |
| Operating system | Android; iOS; HarmonyOS |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 BR + BLE, NFC, GPS |
| Features | Accelerometer, Gyroscope sensor, Magnetometer, X-TAP sensor, Health Glance, eSIM |
| Display | AMOLED LTPO 2.0 (1.5 inch, 466 x 466 pixels, 310 PPI) |
| Processor | Unknown (probably Snapdragon W5) |
| Water resistance | 5ATM, IP69 |
| Battery life | up to 4 days (normal use); up to 11 days (maximum) |
| Price | € 499.00 * |
HUAWEI Watch 5 Review: Elegant design in different versions
- Elegant design
- Top workmanship
- enormously robust
The new HUAWEI Watch 5 is positioned above the Watch GT5 (our test) and Watch GT5 Pro (our test). The wearable is available in two different sizes, 42 mm and 46 mm, and in various colors.
In our test, we had the opportunity to take a closer look at the beige version with a 42 mm composite strap and the 46 mm model in grey-violet. Both wearables have one thing in common: they look absolutely classy and high-quality and are at least as excellently made.
The latter is ensured, among other things, by the robust aerospace-grade titanium case, which HUAWEI combines with a 904L stainless steel case in the smaller version of the watch. The display is protected by spherical sapphire crystal, which is designed to provide particularly good protection against scratches and minimize reflections.
Despite the associated high weight of 48 to 63 grams, depending on the variant, the wearable is very comfortable to wear. Compared to the Watch GT5 Pro, this time the company has once again opted for a round instead of an octagonal case. This gives the HUAWEI Watch 5 an incredibly elegant look and puts it right at the forefront.
Display and operation
- Impressive display
- 3000 nits
- small screen edges
The display of the HUAWEI Watch 5 has also improved significantly once again. The wearable features a 1.5-inch AMOLED display, which is now a whopping 3,000 nits bright at its peak, making it perfectly readable even in direct sunlight. What’s more, the new display uses LTPO 2.0 technology, which dynamically adjusts the frame rate to the content displayed in order to save energy.
At the same time, the manufacturer has reduced the bezels to an impressive 1.8 mm, giving the Watch 5 a screen-to-body ratio of 82.5 percent, which is 13 percent higher than its predecessor – including the elegant Watch 4 Pro Space Edition.
The screen has a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels and thus achieves 310 ppi. Nothing new in this area, but the displays of HUAWEI smartwatches are already among the best currently available in the smartwatch sector. The increased brightness is particularly noticeable when you are out and about a lot. Thanks to great contrasts and rich colors, content simply looks outstanding.
Precise touch operation with innovations
- convincing touchscreen
- New health information
- touch gestures
The operating concept of the HUAWEI Watch 5 should be familiar to anyone who has ever used a smartwatch. It combines a very precise touchscreen with a rotating and clickable crown and an additional button on the bottom right-hand side that can be assigned various actions.
Swipe down from the top to access the quick settings and click on the crown to open the app menu. Everything as you know it. However, one exciting new feature involves swiping from right to left:
Because while the GT5 series provides the movement rings and some health information here, for example, the Watch 5 goes into much more detail. Instead of the classic health overview, you can expect several pages with detailed statistics – for example on sleep, emotional well-being, heart rate and much more.
The touch gestures, on the other hand, are new, as the smartwatch can also be operated by tapping your thumb and index finger together or swiping your thumb over the side of your index finger, for example.
This works perfectly in practice and allows you to answer calls, activate alarms or control music, for example. However, I still prefer the classic touch operation.
Performance and features
- eSIM, WLAN, offline navigation
- NFC with mobile payment
- Extremely limited scope under iOS
In terms of features, the HUAWEI Watch 5 leaves little to be desired. Bluetooth 5.2 LE is also included, as is Wi-Fi 6, which ensures reliable connectivity. eSIM support is also included compared to the Watch GT5 series, while IP69 certification ensures that even dust and moisture cannot harm the wearable.
NFC is of course also supported. Mobile payments have finally been possible in Germany since December 2024. However, the corresponding app, Quicko Wallet, was not yet available in our pre-test version of the HUAWEI Watch 5 – but it can be used on my private Watch GT5 Pro without any problems.
Even if only under Android. Because even with the new smartwatch, the full range of functions is only available in the Google operating system and HUAWEI’s own smartphones.
Although the Watch 5 can also be used with iOS devices without any problems, you will then have to do without App Gallery and a few other functions. In general, the range of apps in the AppGallery is very limited. If you like to pack a lot of additional applications onto your wearable, you will be largely left out on Android and completely left out on iOS. The performance is also beyond reproach. The watch displays all content and animations as smooth as butter and navigation is also fluid and reliable.
Sensors: Now with X-Tap
- Powerful X-TAP sensor
- Detailed health metrics
- great health monitoring
An exciting new feature of the HUAWEI Watch 5 concerns the sensors. More specifically, the brand new X-Tap sensor, which can be found in the middle of the right-hand side of the wearable. This is a touch-sensitive 3-in-1 sensor that – who would have thought it – is triggered by a touch and then records a total of 10 health metrics within 60 seconds. It combines a pressure sensor with an ECG electrode and a fingertip PPG sensor.
These metrics include ECG, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, arterial stiffness and – new – emotional well-being. This 60-second health check is carried out with just one touch and the results can then be viewed in Health Glance.
Great: with each measurement, the watch automatically displays the changes compared to the previous measurements. And it does this both on the watch and, in even greater detail, in the HUAWEI Health app on the smartphone.
The measured values are very accurate, which attests to the HUAWEI Watch 5’s excellent health monitoring. The HUAWEI Health app also provides extensive information on all recordings, while the smartwatch can be customized down to the smallest detail.
Strong battery life, but not a record value
- Up to 4.5 days runtime,…
- … but rather 2 to 2.5 days realistic
One of the many reasons why I also use a HUAWEI smartwatch in my private life is the long battery life of the wearables. I don’t want to have to recharge my watch every day (or night).
The HUAWEI Watch 5 also fulfills this requirement. The 46 mm version offers a battery capacity of 867 mAh – to my knowledge, the largest battery currently available in a smartwatch. However, there is still no improved battery life.
According to the manufacturer, the wearable lasts up to 4.5 days in normal mode. However, if you have activated all the health functions and monitoring, values of 2 to 2.5 days are more realistic.
With active monitoring and regular sporting activities including GPS, the HUAWEI Watch 5 had to be recharged after exactly two days during my test. That is around half a day less than in the case of the Watch GT5 Pro.
In Battery Saver mode, the watch achieves an impressive runtime of up to 11 days. An ideal option if you can do without functions and have no possibility of charging. Keyword charging: Charging is also pleasantly quick. The watch is fully charged again in around 90 minutes.
HUAWEI Watch 5 Review: Conclusion
With the HUAWEI Watch 5, the manufacturer has launched a chic, elegant and extremely high-quality smartwatch that improves on its predecessor in many areas. The impressive display and the new X-Tap sensor, which enables very precise health measurements with the fingertip, are particularly worth mentioning.
Especially in the areas of health monitoring and training recording, the Watch 5 is right up there with the best smartwatches. The battery life is also an absolute selling point, even though no improvements have been made compared to the Watch GT5 Pro.
Criticism of the new wearable is limited. The 46 mm model could be too heavy for many, especially in the version with the metal wristband. More serious, however, is the fact that the selection of apps is very limited and not even available under iOS.
It’s certainly up to each individual to decide how serious this point of criticism is. Personally, I don’t really care, as I can find virtually everything I expect from a smartwatch. And especially with the detailed health functions, the new HUAWEI Watch 5 is one of the best smartwatches for me.
- Elegant design
- Excellent sensors
- Strong battery life
- Impressive display
- eSIM, offline navigation and more
- Comparatively heavy
- Limited range of apps
- Limited iOS compatibility
HUAWEI Watch 5
Workmanship
Hardware
Features
Functions & sensors
Battery
Value For Money
93/100
Very elegant and high-quality smartwatch with an impressive display, many precise sensors, extensive health monitoring and excellent battery life.
