Huawei Watch GT5 Pro Review: Premium Smartwatch at a Fair Price

In addition to the normal Watch GT5, Huawei is also offering a Pro version of the wearable this year. The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro scored highly in the test with its elegant design, accurate sensors and a battery life that you won’t get anywhere else.

Technical data

Huawei Watch GT5 Pro Review: Premium design meets impeccable workmanship

• Elegant design
• High-quality, robust housing
• Suitable for diving

The new Huawei Watch GT5 Pro is not all that dissimilar to the normal Watch GT5. This watch also features a new, octagonal design, giving it an unusual, appealingly sporty look.

The dial of the Pro model is protected by particularly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, while the frame is made of aviation-grade titanium. This makes the wearable a robust and high-quality companion for outdoor activities that is in no way inferior to the manufacturer’s more expensive models.

The GT5 Pro is available in 42 mm and 46 mm sizes. Our test model is the larger version in black, which creates a sporty and elegant look. Alternatively, the manufacturer also offers a silver titanium model, while the smaller watch is available in an attractive ceramic look.

With a weight of 48 grams without a strap and around 77 grams with a strap, the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro is anything but lightweight. However, it is noticeably more comfortable to wear than the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition (our test), which already weighs 20 grams more without the strap. Nevertheless, the Watch GT5 Pro also exudes a feeling of quality through and through and is excellently manufactured.

One difference to the Watch GT5 is its water resistance, as the Pro model is even suitable for diving thanks to its IP69K certification. Thanks to a nanofilm and metal coating, the Watch GT5 Pro is also much more robust.

Somewhat strange: The flexible strap means that the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro cannot be placed as flat on surfaces as the GT5 Non-Pro. This is not a problem, but it does make charging on the wireless charging puck a little more awkward.

Display and operation

• bright AMOLED display
• convincing color display
• wide selection of watch faces

The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro uses the same display as the GT5. This means you get a pleasantly bright 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels and excellent contrasts and colors.

The brightness adjusts automatically, but you can also use a fixed value in the menu. Huawei does not provide details on the refresh rate, but all animations are pleasantly smooth. However, this does not go down to 1 Hz, as with the new Apple Watch Series 10, because the AoD does not display a second hand.

The always-on display is once again deactivated by default to save battery. This is available in a design that matches the respective watch face and therefore allows it to be read without having to lift the wrist.

Keyword Watch Face: There are once again a number of free and pre-installed options to choose from. From classic, elegant analogue designs to digital and modular options where you can freely customize the displayed elements.

Impeccable operation

• Precise touchscreen
• clear menu navigation
• full keyboard… but only under Android

The operation should be familiar to anyone who has ever used a smartwatch. The Watch GT5 Pro combines a touchscreen with a crown that can be rotated and clicked, as well as an additional button below the crown that can be freely assigned in the menu.

In contrast to the normal Watch GT5, this button and the sensor built into it are able to perform an ECG as well as measure arterial stiffness. Two exciting health features that the Watch GT5 lacks.

Navigation is fast and reliable. Another new feature is the ability to reply to messages in WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS and many other apps using the keyboard. Unfortunately, this only works on Android.

Features and sensors

• Bluetooth 5.2
• IP69K certification
• No WLAN, no mobile network, no app store

The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro delivers impeccable performance. Animations are smooth, apps start quickly, and we didn’t notice any hangs or stutters. Unfortunately, the watch lacks a Wi-Fi connection, so apps such as weather only update via Bluetooth and not independently via Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the smartwatch also lacks a mobile phone option and eSIM.

Otherwise, the wearable is protected against water and dust in accordance with IP69K and 5ATM and is therefore also suitable for diving. NFC is also offered, but unfortunately the Wallet app for mobile payments cannot be used in Germany.

There are further restrictions under iOS: you do not have access to the app store and the app gallery is only available under Android and Huawei devices. It is also not possible to download music or playlists to the watch on iOS.

What does work very well, however, is controlling the paired smartphone, displaying notifications or streaming music. It is also possible to make calls on the smartwatch.

The connection is made via Bluetooth 5.2 with BLE, which enables a very reliable and stable connection. An accurate and fast GPS system is also included. Here, Huawei uses a new dual-band Sunflower GPS, which allows up to 40 percent more accurate positioning than in the Watch GT4.

The GPS is not only very accurate, but also finds the position extremely quickly so that you can start your outdoor sports activities within seconds.

Outstanding sensors and health functions

• Many, very accurate sensors
• fast measurements
• reliable ELk function

Like the GT5, the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro uses Huawei’s new TruSense system, which ensures that health measurements are not only much more accurate, but also faster.

Huawei claims that the heart rate measurement, for example, is more accurate than that of the Garmin 965 in almost all areas. I cannot confirm this due to a lack of comparison options, but I am absolutely delighted with the sensors of the Watch GT5 Pro and their accuracy.

Pedometer, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, skin temperature and sleep tracking are all provided. The readings are very accurate across the board and are taken very quickly.

A special feature of the GT5 Pro is the ECG function and the ability to measure arterial stiffness. To do this, the finger must be placed on the electrode at the bottom right for 30 seconds.

As with all other sensors, the results are very accurate. The Huawei Health app then gives you detailed information on all recordings and provides further information on the measured values.

Even though the Health Glance 2.0 feature from the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition, which performs seven different tests in succession within 60 seconds, is unfortunately missing, the Watch GT5 Pro also provides excellent and very accurate sensor technology to keep an eye on your fitness and health.

The battery life is the star of the show

• Up to 14 days of battery life
• 8 days runtime with constant measurements and training
• fully charged in 100 minutes

While most smartwatches are on the spot in terms of battery life and struggle to last more than a day, the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro has a very strong battery life. Up to 14 days of use are possible, and a full 10 days should still be possible with typical use.

During my test, I managed to use it for exactly 8 days with constant measurement of blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). Combined with sleep tracking, regular workouts, notifications and more, that’s pretty impressive.

The watch is charged using the included charger, which takes around 100 minutes to fully charge.

This, in combination with the accurate and fast sensors, is also the point where I would prefer the Watch GT5 Pro to any Apple or Samsung Galaxy Watch. What use is sleep tracking if I have to charge the watch every evening? On very active days, I have a week of rest here, and even longer in quieter times, without having to think about recharging.

Huawei Watch GT5 Pro Review: Conclusion

Personally, I find that it is much more difficult to make a purchase decision in the smartwatch sector than in many other areas. Do you want an inexpensive model without special features? Mobile internet, but a battery life of no more than one day? Or the best of the best for the price of a flagship smartphone?

The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro doesn’t fall into any of these categories, but falls right in between, which is what makes the wearable so exciting and attractive in my eyes.

We have the battery life, which is simply outstanding. Around 8 days of use, with daily workouts and constant blood pressure monitoring? Unique. Thanks to the TruSense system, the new sensors score with impressive accuracy and noticeably increased speed.

Another practical feature is the ECG function, which the watch has over the normal Watch GT5. The Watch GT5 Pro is also at the forefront in terms of workmanship thanks to its robust titanium case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and water resistance for diving.

Of course, you also have to accept some compromises. Neither WLAN nor mobile internet are offered. The app store is not very extensive and cannot even be accessed on iOS. Mobile payment via NFC is also not available in Germany.

How difficult these circumstances are for you is a personal decision. Personally, I would prefer the smartwatch to an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, especially because of the battery life and the excellent health and sleep measurements. Apart from the Ultra models, mind you – but these are also around twice as expensive as the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro.