In addition to the classic Watch GT5, Huawei is also offering a Pro version of its wearable device this year. The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro achieved very good results in the test thanks to its elegant design, precise sensors and a battery life that you won’t find anywhere else.
Technical data
Huawei Watch GT5 Pro review: high-end design meets impeccable finish
- Elegant design
- Robust and high quality housing
- Suitable for diving
The new Huawei Watch GT5 Pro is not so different from the classic Watch GT5. This watch also features a new octagonal design, giving it an unusual and attractive sporty look.
The dial of the Pro model is protected by a particularly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, while the frame is made of aircraft-grade titanium. This makes this model a robust and high-quality companion for outdoor activities, which has nothing to envy to the manufacturer’s more expensive models.
The GT5 Pro is available in the sizes 42 mm and 46 mm. Our test model is the larger version in black, which gives it a sporty and elegant look. Alternatively, the manufacturer also offers a model in silver titanium, while the smaller watch is available in a nice ceramic look.
With a weight of 48 grams without strap and around 77 grams with strap, the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro is far from light. However, it is noticeably more comfortable to wear than the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition (our test), which already weighs 20 grams more without strap. Nevertheless, the Watch GT5 Pro also exudes a high-quality impression throughout and is perfectly finished.
The Watch GT5 stands out for its waterproofness, 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.
It’s a bit odd: the flexible strap means the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro can’t sit as flat on surfaces as the GT5 Non-Pro. It’s not a problem, but it does make charging on the wireless charger a bit more difficult.
Huawei Watch GT5 Pro (front) and Huawei Watch GT5 (back)
Huawei Watch GT5 (left) and Huawei Watch GT5 Pro (right)
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. 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 on the new Apple Watch Series 10, because the AoD does not display a second hand.
Dial…
…and still displayed
The always-on display is again disabled by default to save battery life. It comes in a design that fits the watch face, so it can be read without having to raise your wrist.
Watch Face Keyword: There are again a number of free and pre-installed options to choose from. From classic and elegant analog designs to digital and modular options where you can freely customize the displayed elements.
Perfect operation
- Precise touch screen
- clear menu navigation
- full keyboard…but only on 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 turned and clicked, as well as an additional button below the crown that can be freely assigned in the menu.
Unlike the regular Watch GT5, this button and the built-in sensor are capable of performing an ECG as well as measuring arterial stiffness. Two interesting 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
- Certification IP69K
- No WLAN, no mobile network, no app store
The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro delivers flawless performance. Animations are smooth, apps start quickly, and we didn’t notice any freezes or stutters. Unfortunately, the watch doesn’t have Wi-Fi, so apps like the weather only update via Bluetooth and not independently via Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the smartwatch also lacks a mobile phone and eSIM option.
Furthermore, the wearable is protected against water and dust according to IP69K and 5ATM and is therefore also suitable for diving. NFC is also offered, but the Wallet app for mobile payments cannot unfortunately be used in Germany.
There are other restrictions on iOS: you don’t have access to the App Store and the App Gallery is only available on Android and Huawei devices. It’s also not possible to download music or playlists to the watch on iOS.
What works 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 allows for a very reliable and stable connection. A precise and fast GPS system is also included. Huawei uses a new dual-band Sunflower GPS here, which allows up to 40% more precise positioning than in the Watch GT4.
The GPS is not only highly accurate, but also finds the position extremely quickly so you can start your outdoor sports activities within seconds.
Exceptional health sensors and functions
- Many very precise sensors
- quick measures
- 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 the Garmin 965 in almost every way. I can’t confirm this due to the lack of comparison options, but I’m absolutely thrilled with the Watch GT5 Pro’s sensors and their accuracy.
Pedometer, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, skin temperature and sleep tracking are all provided. The measurements are very accurate in all areas 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 additional information on the measured values.
While the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition’s Health Glance 2.0 feature, which performs seven different tests in a row in 60 seconds, is sadly missing, the Watch GT5 Pro also offers excellent and highly accurate sensor technology for keeping tabs on your fitness and health.
Battery life is the star of the show
- Up to 14 days of battery life
- 8 days of battery life with constant measurements and training
- fully charged in 100 minutes
While most smartwatches struggle when it comes to battery life, struggling to last more than a day, the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro has a very solid battery life. Up to 14 days of use is possible, and a full 10 days should still be possible with normal usage.
In 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, it’s pretty impressive.
The watch is charged using the supplied charger, which takes approximately 100 minutes to fully charge.
It’s also this point, combined with the accurate and fast sensors, that makes me prefer the Watch GT5 Pro to any Apple or Samsung Galaxy Watch. What’s the point of sleep tracking if I have to charge the watch every night? On very active days, I have a week of rest here, and even longer in quieter periods, without having to think about recharging it.
Test de la Huawei Watch GT5 Pro : conclusion
Personally, I find it much more difficult to make a purchase decision in the smartwatch sector than in many other areas. Do you want a cheap model without special features? Mobile internet, but a battery life of no more than a day? Or the best of the best for the price of a flagship smartphone?
The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro doesn’t fall into either of these categories, but falls right in between, which is what makes this wearable so exciting and appealing to me.
We have a battery life that is simply exceptional. About 8 days of use, with daily workouts and constant blood pressure monitoring? Unique. Thanks to the TruSense system, the new sensors score points with impressive precision and significantly increased speed.
Another practical feature is the ECG function, which the watch has compared to 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, there are also some compromises to be made. Neither Wi-Fi nor mobile Internet are offered. The App Store is not very extensive and is not even accessible on iOS. Mobile payment via NFC is also not available in Germany.
How difficult these situations are is a personal decision. Personally, I prefer the smartwatch to an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, especially because of the battery life and excellent health and sleep metrics. Except for the Ultra models, of course, but they’re also about twice as expensive as the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro.