Huawei Watch GT5 Review: Noble smartwatch with convincing sensors

Thanks to its elegant design, compatibility with Android and iOS, as well as its convincing price-performance ratio, the Watch GT series from Huawei is one of the most popular wearables. The new Huawei Watch GT5 not only improves the sensor technology, but also goes one step further in terms of design and functionality. However, one major point of criticism remains, as our test reveals.

Technical data

Huawei Watch GT5 Review: New, angular design

• Elegant, octagonal design
• Excellent workmanship

After last year’s Watch GT4 already hinted at the angular look, Huawei has taken this step further with the Watch GT5 and opted for an octagonal case, which in our test model (the larger 46 mm version) is made of stainless steel and creates a stylish, high-quality look.

The Watch GT5 is available in 46 mm and 42 mm sizes. New this year is the “Blue Woven” model, which comes in a new blue color and features a strap that combines fluoroelastomer with a blue fabric.

The whole thing is somewhat reminiscent of the green model of the Watch GT4, but looks even more elegant and stylish, especially in terms of the strap. Alternatively, the larger model is also available in black and brown, with the latter version featuring a composite leather strap.

No matter which model you choose: The Huawei Watch GT5 looks absolutely classy and is excellently made. Our blue test model features a three-colored ring below the bezel, while all variants share the clickable and rotatable metal crown and the button underneath, which can be freely assigned in the companion app.

Thanks to 5ATM and IP68 certification, the wearable is also suitable for swimming and makes a robust and high-quality impression. Visually, the watch certainly looks great and can hardly hide behind the much more expensive Watch 4 Pro Space Edition (our test). The sporty, elegant look is absolutely suitable for business and classy.

Display and operation

• Bright, high-resolution AMOLED display
• suitable AoD options

The Huawei Watch GT5 has a similar display to its predecessor. It has a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels and 326 ppi. The manufacturer does not provide any information on brightness, but a direct comparison shows that the GT5’s screen is noticeably brighter at its peak than that of the GT4. However, the brightness adjusts itself automatically, but can also be set manually if desired.

I really like the maximum brightness, which ensures perfect readability even in direct sunlight. The display also scores with vivid colors and harmonious contrasts.

As with the previous watches, the always-on display is deactivated by default to save battery. However, it can be switched on in the menu, whereupon it shines in a look that matches the respective watch face.

Speaking of watch faces: Huawei offers a harmonious selection of watch faces. From elegant analog looks – one of them in light blue to match the wearable – to digital, informative and playful designs. Several more can be purchased within the companion app. The prices for these range from 0.49 euros to 5.99 euros.

Flawless operation of the Huawei Watch GT5

• Precise touchscreen
• Sophisticated menu navigation
• Full keyboard for messages… but only under Android

The operating concept of the Huawei Watch GT5 is similar to that of almost all other smartwatches on the market and combines a touchscreen with a rotating and clickable crown, as well as an additional action button on the right-hand side, which can be freely assigned within the settings (the training modes can be selected here by default).

The menu navigation is also clearly structured and easy to understand: Swiping from top to bottom opens the quick menu, while swiping from bottom to top gives you access to the notifications.

Swiping to the left will take you to the “Smart support” tab, which displays relevant current information such as weather, notifications or the music player. Swiping to the right lets you scroll through various widgets. These include activity rings, health data, appointments or moon phase.

A click on the crown, on the other hand, opens the app list, which you can then conveniently scroll through using the crown or touchscreen. The latter reacts pleasantly quickly and very reliably even with wet fingers.

A new feature of the GT5 is the ability to reply to messages with a full keyboard. This works with text messages, WhatsApp, Skype and many other apps, for example. However, this only works with Android; unfortunately, iOS users are left out in the cold as the keyboard is not supported here.

Features and sensors

• Bluetooth 5.2 with Bluetooth Low Energy, GPS
• no WLAN and mobile radio
• Waterproof, but not suitable for diving

I’ll quickly tick off the point about performance: there’s nothing to complain about with the Huawei Watch GT5. Animations, app launches and navigation are as smooth as butter. I didn’t notice any hangs or similar problems.

In terms of features, the GT5 makes the same mistake as its predecessor, as the wearable does not have Wi-Fi connectivity. This means that the weather app, for example, sometimes only updates once you have triggered this in the Huawei Health app. The smartwatch also lacks mobile connectivity with eSIM.

The watch is water-resistant to 5ATM and IP68 and is also suitable for swimming. However, diving is not possible, so if this is important to you, you will have to go for the Pro model. Instead, there is NFC for mobile payments… which is only possible with the Huawei Wallet app and therefore not in Germany.

Otherwise, the Watch GT5 has Bluetooth 5.2 with BLE and GPS for tracking outdoor activities, which quickly finds a connection and records very reliably. Thanks to the integrated speakers and microphones, Bluetooth calls from the smartphone are also possible. Voice assistant announcements, however, are only available on Android.

Sensors with new TruSense system

• Accurate sensors thanks to TruSense
• fast measurement results
• many health and sleep parameters

The Huawei Watch GT5 is excellently positioned in the area of sensor technology, as the wearable relies on the manufacturer’s brand new TruSense system. This offers particularly accurate and fast measurement of vital data.

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

Pedometer, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, skin temperature or sleep tracking? Every function delivers very accurate readings and in fact much faster than I have ever seen with other smartwatches. Even the measurement of blood oxygen saturation, which requires the arm to be held as still as possible, takes less than 15 seconds.

Detailed statistics can then be called up in the Huawei Health app, providing more in-depth information on the parameters. So if you attach particular importance to health and training data, you are guaranteed to be happy with the smartwatch.

Unfortunately, the Huawei Watch GT5 does not offer the Health Glance 2.0 health check that I loved on the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition. This carries out seven tests in succession within 60 seconds to determine your state of health.

Excellent battery life

• 10 days of battery life with typical use
• 14 days maximum runtime
• Fully charged in 100 minutes

Battery life is and remains a key feature of Huawei’s wearables, and this naturally also applies to the new Huawei Watch GT5, which is even better than its direct predecessor.

Up to 10 days of typical use are possible – with the always-on display deactivated. I can confirm this in practice. In my normal test with always-on display, 24-hour blood pressure and regular blood oxygen saturation measurement, the battery lasted for 8 days without any problems.

That’s just as long as the GT4 with AoD deactivated. The watch is charged using the included wireless charger, which fully charges the watch in 100 minutes.

Huawei Watch GT5 Review: Conclusion

The Huawei Watch GT5 is a consistent and successful further development of the predecessor model and has made some significant improvements in terms of sensor technology, battery life and design.

If you are looking for a classy and stylish smartwatch with accurate sensors and an almost unbeatable battery life, this is the watch for you. It’s also great that it’s finally possible to reply to messages directly via the watch. Even if this unfortunately only works with Android.

Unfortunately, the previous limitations have not changed with version 5. Mobile payment is not possible, the app store is limited and there are simply no mobile phone options. If that doesn’t bother you, you get a coherent overall package at an absolutely attractive price.