Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro review

11 November 2024

Huawei's focus on wearables over the past few years has clearly paid off. Its latest flagship, the Watch GT 5 Pro, brings impressive upgrades over what was already a highly competitive package.

This is the first international wearable to feature the new TruSense health monitoring system and HarmonyOS 5.0. After extensive testing, we're ready to share more about its real-life performance.

Design and build

The GT 5 Pro comes in two sizes: 46 mm and 42 mm. We reviewed the premium Titanium model, with both the body and strap made from titanium alloys.

It feels solid at 53 grams (without the strap), a bit heavier and bulkier than its predecessors, the GT 4 and GT 3 Pro. The strap, though having a rarely seen in smartwatches premium feel, has a minor drawback; its metal components can rattle due to the watch's strong vibration motor.

However, as usual, the GT 5 Pro supports standard 22 mm straps, so finding alternative styles is a piece of cake. While all standard straps fit, not all match the premium look of the titanium.

The GT 5 Pro has a crown button on the top and a metal button below it, both on the right side. Pressing the crown opens or closes the app menu, while double-press allows you to switch between active apps. The lower button is customizable, though it's inactive while an app is open.

On the back, the watch features the new TruSense six-sensor system, claiming to have much more accurate health tracking than its predecessor.

TruSense integrates medical data from partners like hospitals and researchers, offering better heart rate accuracy, SpO2 readings, blood pressure, and sleep tracking. Although Huawei also promises mental health tracking, they were unavailable in our testing region.

Software

So, how well do these features work? The short answer is: impressively well. Huawei wearables have steadily improved accuracy, and the GT 5 Pro is a top-notch example.

Huawei already acquired ECG health certifications a few years ago, and now the GT 5 Pro can deliver more detailed heart health insights. During our tests, the watch reported normal results, which aligned with the fitness of our reviewer, an avid ultrarunner.

Speaking of running, the GT 5 Pro introduces new features for runners. Users can now import GPX tracks onto offline maps via Huawei Health, a big improvement from previous models that displayed routes on the nothingness of a black screen.

Petal Maps, adapted for wearables, provides offline mode but still lacks detailed metrics like hill gradients.

Pre-designed running routes with waypoints on the phone map also debut here, a unique feature inspired by the 12 zodiac signs, each with a similar distance. While creative, these routes could benefit from refinement, as some have sharp turns that may disrupt a smooth-running experience.

Huawei tends to enhance features over time, so there's potential for these routes to improve with future HarmonyOS updates, possibly by summer 2025.

HarmonyOS 5.0 also brings broader improvements, such as larger, interactive notifications with a QWERTY keyboard, available on the GT 5 series and newer devices.

Battery life

Huawei remains a leader in wearable battery life, thanks to its power-efficient chipset and the 1.43" AMOLED display, a proven choice since the Watch 3 series.

The GT 5 Pro offers a range of watch faces with varying power demands and improved satellite signal tracking for accurate positioning during workouts.

We tested battery life under different conditions: with 100 daily notifications, 30 minutes of exercise every other day, and minimal display brightness, we achieved up to 10 days – similar to Huawei's claim.

Running with GPS on consumed just 1% of the battery for a 30-minute session, translating to only 5% for a half-marathon. Charging from 0 to 100% took 70 minutes, slightly longer than Huawei's estimate.

In a heavy-use scenario (10-hour ultramarathon, GPS tracking, voice calls, and a high-power watch face), the GT 5 Pro lasted 6 days – impressive for such intense usage. Using Always-On Display (AOD), however, significantly reduced battery life to 4 days.

The GT 5 Pro charges via any Qi charger, but the included magnetic puck is the most stable option, as the titanium strap can make it challenging to fit on most standard chargers.

Verdict

Our variant of the wearable costs €499 in Europe, which is definitely not cheap. The black variant with the fluoroelastomer strap is a bit more affordable at €379, which we believe is a more sensible purchase, particularly if you plan on using the GT 5 Pro on your runs.

Huawei often offers its devices in bundles on its website, and the Watch GT 5 Pro can be purchased with an extra strap for free, as well as some Freebuds and Huawei Health+ subscription where available.

Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is a testament to how far the company has gotten since it shifted its focus toward wearables after its smartphone business essentially disappeared outside China. The smartwatch is tough and built to last, with an impressive battery life and an extended range of features.

It can be the go-to wearable for active sportspeople but also consumers who want a functional smartwatch that looks good.