Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro review: Slim design meets serious sports watch

The Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro costs 299 euros, clearly positioning it as a premium model within the FIT line. Launched in 2020, the smartwatch model series presents itself as an angular alternative to other models such as the Watch GT6 Pro (our review) or Watch Ultimate 2 (our review). After several weeks on the wrist, I can say that Huawei has done a lot right with the Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro – but not everything.

Technical specifications of the Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro

Product name	Watch FIT 5 Pro;
Operating system	Android; iOS; HarmonyOS
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 6.0
Features	Accelerometer, Gyroscope sensor, Magnetometer, TruSense, ECG, Arterial stiffness, Pulse wave analysis, Sleep tracking, Freediving, Fall detection, NFC
Display	AMOLED (1.82 inch); 3,000 nits
Water resistance	5ATM, IP69
Battery life	Up to 10 days
Weight	30.4 grams
Dimensions	44.5 × 40.8 × 9.5 mm
price	from 299 Euro

Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro Review: design and workmanship

The Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro is slim. Incredibly slim. The design is reminiscent of the Apple Watch models, only much thinner. The wearable is just 9.5 mm high and weighs just 30.4 grams, which is very light for a serious fitness smartwatch. The outer frame is made of titanium, the housing body itself is made of aluminum alloy and the back is made of plastic fiber composite. This sounds like a compromise, but feels surprisingly harmonious on the wrist.

The 1.92-inch LTPO OLED display with a resolution of 480 × 408 pixels is the heart of the design. The screen-to-body ratio of the Pro model is 83 percent – for comparison: the predecessor FIT 4 Pro came in at 79 percent, while the Apple Watch Series 11 is at 78 percent. This is clearly noticeable in everyday use: the display appears almost borderless, like a small window on the wrist. The uniformly narrow edges of 1.8 mm on all four sides underline this impression.

The protective glass is made of genuine 2.5D sapphire crystal – a clear advantage over the standard model, which has to make do with a Li-Al silicon glass. In daily use, I deliberately exposed the watch to various impacts: desk edges, sports bag zips, hard plastic. After weeks of use, the sapphire crystal shows not the slightest scratch. Anyone who has ever looked frustratedly at scratched smartwatch displays knows how much that is worth.

The white Pro version also has an aerospace-grade nanoceramic metal surface – the first application of this technology in the wearable industry, according to Huawei. Specifically, a ceramic-like finish is incorporated into the metal using micro-arc oxidation, which is said to increase the surface hardness by 130 percent and also make it more resistant to dirt and sweat. The frame is also adorned with bezel-oiling technology – a kind of oil filling in the edge area that ensures that the housing shines slightly from every angle. It sounds playful, but in reality it actually looks high-quality and not cheap.

Equipment and features

The Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro is technically packed with the latest features. At its core is the revised TruSense system, which forms Huawei’s platform for health and sports measurement. The sensors include an accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, magnetometer, brightness sensor, heart rate module with 6 LEDs and 6 photodetectors as well as a skin temperature sensor. The increased LED/PD density compared to its predecessor is intended to noticeably improve the accuracy of heart rate and SpO₂ measurement. And indeed: in practice, the values appeared plausible and consistent at rest and during moderate exercise.

Particularly noteworthy is the ECG function (exclusive to the Pro model; the normal Watch FIT 5 does not have this): Hold the function button for 30 seconds and the watch generates an instant report. The system recognizes sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation as well as atrial and ventricular pre-contractions. This is supplemented by the new pulse wave arrhythmia analysis, which is CE-certified in Europe and can be measured continuously or on demand. There is also the arterial stiffness measurement, which provides an assessment of vascular elasticity in 30 seconds using a PPG and ECG sensor.

For those who think in terms of movement: the Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro supports over 100 sports modes. For trail running, it provides route navigation with a zoomable map, route elevation profile, real-time incline display, incline-adjusted speed and (exclusively for the Pro model) the option to set checkpoints and a target marker. For cycling, there is also a real-time incline, virtual power meter, virtual cadence and even fall detection via a high-range IMU sensor.

The golf mode with over 17,000 course maps, vector map view, green view, live scorecard and customized flagstick distance is also Pro-exclusive. And for free divers: the watch is waterproof to a depth of 40 meters. Another advantage that only the Pro model offers. The mini-workout feature (30 guided short exercises with an animated panda as a companion) sounds playful on paper, but serves its purpose in everyday life. Short stretching and mobilization exercises for shoulders, neck, wrists or ankles can be performed literally anywhere, the watch face shows the panda’s progress and reacts to inactivity. Something for nerds and casual users alike, even if I don’t like the design. But well and good.

Sleep monitoring has also been expanded: it now also recognizes naps separately and provides its own summary. The Sleep Breathing Awareness function screens for possible sleep apnea and can be used in Germany.

Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro and Watch FIT 5 in comparison

Feature	Watch FIT 5	Watch FIT 5 Pro
The price	199 €	299 €
Display	1.82-inch AMOLED	1.92-inch LTPO OLED
Display resolution	480 × 408 px	480 × 408 px
Screen-to-body ratio	79 %	83 %
Peak brightness	2,500 nits	3,000 nits
Protective glass	Li-al silicon glass	2.5D sapphire crystal
Case	Aluminum alloy	Aluminum body + titanium frame
weight	27 g	~30 g
Dimensions	42.9 × 38.2 × 9.5 mm	44.5 × 40.8 × 9.5 mm
Battery capacity	471 mAh	471 mAh
Runtime (typical)	7 days	7 days
Runtime (max.)	10 days	10 days
Runtime (AOD)	4 days	4 days
Trail Running GPS	24 hours	25 hours
Nanoceramic Metal	No	Yes (white only)
Skin temperature sensor	No	Yes
ECG	No	Yes
Arterial stiffness	No	Yes
Pulse wave analysis (CE)	Yes	Yes
Golf mode	No	Yes (17,000+ course cards)
Freediving	No	Yes (up to 40 m)
Checkpoint Trail Running	No	Yes
Mini workout	Yes	Yes
Cycling (Virtual Power)	Yes	Yes
Fall detection	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	6.0	6.0
Compatibility	HarmonyOS, iOS, Android	HarmonyOS, iOS, Android
Colors	Black, white, purple, silver/green	Black, White, Orange

Battery life of the Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro

Huawei is using a high-silicon battery stack for the first time in the entire FIT 5 series. The 471 mAh battery is said to increase the energy density by 14 percent and the capacity by 18 percent compared to its predecessor. In practical use with activated heart rate measurement, occasional GPS and moderate display use, I managed around seven days – which corresponds quite well to Huawei’s specification for “typical use”. However, if you activate the always-on display permanently, you should calculate with around four days.

According to the manufacturer, the battery lasts up to 25 hours for trail running sessions with permanently active GPS and a frequently switched-on screen. This is a solid value for this segment and should be enough for most endurance athletes to complete multi-day tours without a charger.
Charging itself is possible on the Pro model with 60-minute fast charging via wireless. Magnetic charger, no fiddling around: This works in Huwei’s typical uncomplicated way. A full charge takes about an hour. Criticism: Those who use the always-on display intensively will need power every three to four days, depending on the usage profile. This is okay for a watch that is designed as a daily companion, but no reason to cheer.

Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro – Operation

The FIT 5 Pro is quick and intuitive to use. Anyone who has ever had a Huawei wearable on their wrist will find their way around immediately. But other smartwatches also work in a very similar way, which makes operation very beginner-friendly. The touchscreen reacts precisely and swiping movements are still recognizable even when doing sports with a wet finger. The physical crown on the right-hand side can be turned and pressed. It is used to navigate through menus and functions as a confirmation button. Next to it is a second button that can be used as a back function or quick access.

The dial selection is extensive and ranges from sporty and technical to playful. The Fluffy dial with the animated fuzzy animal reacts to taps and scenarios such as listening to music or charging with its own animations – a gimmick, but a charming one. The panda dials for the mini-workout feature use animation to show how active or sluggish you have spent the day.

It takes a little time to familiarize yourself with the menu system. Especially if you actively use many sports modes and switch between metrics. But after a few days, you’ll have the most important functions down pat.

App connection via Huawei Health

The HUAWEI Health app is the link between the watch and smartphone. It is available for Android and iOS, but works best in combination with a Huawei smartphone. Pairing via QR code or device search works reliably, Bluetooth 6.0 ensures a stable connection. Huawei’s open ecosystem offering is pleasing: third-party apps can access the watch’s sensors directly via the new workout service platform.

The first wave includes Goodshot (badminton), Tennix (tennis), PickleX (pickleball) and KeepStrong (strength training). The watch is also compatible with Strava, Komoot, Naviki, URUNN, FiiT, Intervals.icu, RacePace and Clue. For new buyers, there is a Health MultiPass with free memberships: including three months of URUNN (worth 45 euros), three months of FiiT (worth 60 euros), two months of Komoot and three months of Naviki. Together, not a bad starter package.

NFC payment via Curve Pay is also on board and is to be rolled out for Germany and other European countries via an OTA update, if not already active. This enables contactless payment. Practical for running to the bakery without a wallet.

Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro in a practical test

Anyone switching from the Watch FIT 4 Pro to the FIT 5 Pro will immediately notice the generational leap in several areas at once. The FIT 4 Pro was already a very good device: titanium, sapphire glass, ECG, dual-band GNSS and a bright display. But Huawei has improved in almost every area with the FIT 5 Pro, and you can feel it in everyday use. Let’s start with the display. The FIT 4 Pro achieved around 3,000 cd/m² in the test – a strong value. The FIT 5 Pro has a similar nominal peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, but the larger 1.92-inch panel and the increased screen-to-body ratio of 83% give it a noticeably greater presence.

When worn on a daily basis, it is noticeable that the FIT 5 Pro does not appear heavier despite the larger display. At around 30 grams, it is on a par with the FIT 4 Pro. At 9.5 mm, the housing is only slightly thicker than its predecessor at 9.3 mm. It disappears under the sleeve just as easily and even after several hours of running without a break, nothing pressed or rubbed. When running, the FIT 5 Pro shows what the revised Sunflower positioning system means in practice. The Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro relies on the next generation of this antenna and it delivered more consistent tracking lines in the test, especially in densely built-up areas or under treetops.

The Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro relies on a revised sensor module with 6 LEDs and 6 photodetectors instead of the previous configuration. In a practical comparison, the FIT 5 Pro delivered consistent values at a moderate pace. As with any optical sensor, there was a certain delay in response at sprint intervals. This is not a specific weakness of the FIT 5 Pro, but a physical principle. The accuracy is more than sufficient for typical endurance sports.

Huawei has also expanded sleep tracking. The FIT 4 Pro already differentiated between light, deep and REM sleep and reliably recognized short waking phases, supplemented by heart rate, oxygen saturation and breathing rate. The FIT 5 Pro continues this and adds independent nap detection. Naps are recorded and evaluated separately, which is a useful addition for anyone who regularly takes short naps during the day (including me). The Sleep Breathing Awareness function for pre-screening possible sleep apnoea ran unobtrusively for several nights, which is reassuring, even if the value is not suitable as a diagnosis without a medical reference.

The new mini-workout units are the feature that surprised us the most in the test, and in a positive way. 30 guided short exercises that can be started at any time and without equipment sound banal. In practice, however, it is precisely these mini-workouts that make you actually stand up and loosen up your shoulders during a long train journey or between two appointments. The panda animation is nice, but a little too playful for me personally.

What I particularly like is that the ECG function on the FIT 5 Pro works reliably and easily: hold the side button, sit still for 30 seconds and read off the result. The FIT 4 Pro already offered ECG, but the Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro adds arterial stiffness measurement, which can be accessed via the Huawei Research app. A feature that was missing from its predecessor. For users who systematically monitor their cardiovascular parameters, this is a real added value.

Finally, the suitability for everyday use as a whole: the FIT 5 Pro is a watch that you put on and forget about – in the best sense of the word. It’s light enough to stay on while you sleep, bright enough for full sunlight, robust enough for rain, sweat and the occasional bump. For those coming from the FIT 4 Pro, the FIT 5 Pro is not a token update, but rather noticeable improvements in the areas of display, GPS accuracy, sports metrics and health monitoring. Anyone new to Huawei’s smartwatch ecosystem will get one of the most complete fitness smartwatches under 300 euros – as long as they are willing to commit to HUAWEI Health and a Huawei ID.

Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro Review: Conclusion

For €299, the Huawei Watch FIT 5 Pro is an ambitious fitness smartwatch that leaves hardly any area uncovered in its price segment. The display is excellent, the materials high-quality, the sports feature set broad and well thought-out. ECG, arterial stiffness measurement, free diving up to 40 meters, golf, trail running with checkpoint navigation, virtual power for cycling – that’s a lot for such a slim device. And Huawei implements the measurements excellently and very accurately. When it comes to sensor accuracy, Huawei continues to be at the forefront and has gone one better with the new Watch FIT 5 generation.

The close connection to the Huawei ecosystem is a noticeable brake for Android and iPhone users without an affinity for Huawei, although the wearable also works flawlessly on both platforms. The always-on display eats up a lot of battery. And if you don’t fancy pandas and animated characters, you have to actively switch watch faces. But if you’re willing to get involved in Huawei’s ecosystem or use a Huawei smartphone anyway, you’ll get one of the most complete and elegant fitness smartwatches under 300 euros.