The Huawei Watch 5 has made a significant impact in the smartwatch market, particularly with its innovative approach to health tracking. While it remains unavailable for purchase in the United States, its unique features are garnering attention worldwide. Unlike traditional smartwatches and fitness trackers that primarily use sensors pressing against the wrist to gather health data, the Watch 5 incorporates an exciting twist.
Huawei has introduced its advanced multi-sensing X-TAP technology, which combines a range of sensors positioned on the watch's side. This design allows the device to measure crucial metrics such as EKGs, blood oxygen levels, and arterial stiffness directly from the fingertip. This innovative approach is a game-changer, as it aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of health data collection.
The Watch 5 features a pressure sensor that detects the force applied to the device, alongside an EKG electrode and an optical heart rate sensor. Huawei claims that this multi-sensor integration leads to a remarkable 10 to 50 times improvement in signal quality. This assertion is backed by the fact that the fingertip is known for its rich supply of capillaries, making it an optimal location for obtaining precise heart rate data. This is particularly relevant, considering medical-grade pulse oximeters also utilize fingertip measurements for assessing blood oxygen levels.
One of the standout features of the Huawei Watch 5 is its ability to take blood oxygen readings in just 10 seconds, significantly faster than most traditional SpO2 spot-check features. Additionally, the device offers a "one-tap health glance" feature that provides a comprehensive overview of various health metrics, including average heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen, skin temperature, stress levels, EKG readings, arterial stiffness detection, respiratory health, and sleep disturbance awareness. While many of these features were available on the previous model, the addition of HRV is a notable upgrade.
In terms of design, the Huawei Watch 5 introduces two new gesture controls: double slide (sliding your thumb against your finger) and double tap. The display boasts an impressive peak brightness of 3,000 nits, complemented by thinner bezels for a modern look. The watch is available in two sizes—42mm and 46mm—with options in titanium and stainless steel.
Battery life is another strong suit of the Watch 5. The 42mm model offers up to three days of battery life (or two days with the always-on display enabled), while the 46mm model can last around 4.5 days (three days with AOD enabled). Additionally, the watch supports cellular connectivity and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
A particular point of pride for Huawei is the striking new color of the 46mm titanium model, which is available in a unique shade of purple. Coloring titanium is notoriously challenging and typically involves a complex anodization process. Huawei’s press materials highlight their achievement in creating an “exact purple with an opaline effect,” which they claim stands apart from the solid, high-saturation purples seen in other technologies. However, some users may find the actual color to be less vibrant than anticipated, reminiscent of the deep purple of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
For those interested in the Huawei Watch 5, preorders are now open in the UK and Europe, priced at £399.99 / €499.99 (approximately $550). The official launch date is set for March 26th. The 42mm model is available in stainless steel options of beige, gold, white, and green, while the 46mm model comes in black stainless steel. Titanium versions are also offered in brown, silver, and the much-discussed “purple.”
In conclusion, the Huawei Watch 5 presents an exciting combination of advanced health tracking features and stylish design. With its multi-sensing technology and a variety of health metrics available at your fingertips, it is poised to be a significant player in the smartwatch arena, despite its current unavailability in the US market.
