Combining style and technology. This mantra has guided Huawei in the development of the Watch 5, a remarkable evolution in the smartwatch market. An object that fuses sophisticated aesthetics with a range of advanced technological features for monitoring health and psychophysical well-being. The design is inspired by the Kármán line, the boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, which translates into a smooth, rounded-edged and shiny body. The design is further embellished by a carefully crafted crown, a nod to the classic trapezoid format of previous Huawei Watch models.
Innovation in materials: strength and elegance combined
Huawei has made strategic choices in materials to improve both the durability and aesthetic appeal of the Watch 5. The 46mm version under test uses aerospace-grade titanium, a material that is lighter, stronger and harder than 904L stainless steel. This choice prioritises durability and comfort, resulting in a lightweight yet robust exterior that can withstand the rigours of daily use while maintaining a comfortable feel on the wrist.
The quest for a distinctive aesthetic is evident in the Watch 5’s colour scheme. The Sand Gold colour edition in stainless steel is achieved through Huawei’s proprietary colour-matching process, which addresses the common problem of gold watches turning dark green due to oxidation.
The display is another focal point. It uses the new Ltpo 2.0 screen technology to deliver vivid images even in bright conditions. With a peak of up to 3000 nits and thinner 1.8 mm edges, the watch offers an immersive viewing experience with a high screen-to-body ratio.
X-Tap technology: a new frontier in health monitoring
A distinctive feature is the Multi-sensing X-Tap technology, designed to enhance health monitoring capabilities. A touch-sensitive area on the right side of the casing uses finger signals for data collection, utilising a pressure sensor, an ECG electrode and a PPG sensor for signal accuracy. The fingertip’s arterial blood flow, dense vascular distribution and thinner skin contribute to clearer pulse wave signals and less interference, resulting in more accurate measurements. This technology also enables continuous monitoring of blood oxygen, a significant upgrade over single readings, providing users with real-time information on their trends.
A focus on the wellness
Speaking of health, the Huawei Watch 5 simplifies monitoring with the One-Tap Health Glance function, which measures up to nine key indicators in just 60 seconds. This option, accessible by pressing and holding the X-Tap sensor, returns a comprehensive overview of personal health status, including new metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV).
This quick check covers various aspects, including basic, cardiovascular and respiratory health. The inclusion of emotion monitoring further enhances the ability to provide a holistic assessment of well-being. The aim is to go beyond the simple collection of health data with personalised insights and analysis to help users understand how they feel. To this end, the Health Insights function intelligently analyses correlations between various fitness and health data, providing clear, customisable interpretations. The watch also takes a proactive approach, with automatic notifications alerting users to irregular data trends. Alerts are accompanied by contextual recommendations so users can take control of their health and develop sustainable wellness habits.
Gesture control: intuitive interaction
Huawei introduces a new way to interact with the smartwatch through Gesture Control for a hands-free experience with intuitive finger gestures. The watch supports two gestures, Double Slide and Double Tap, which simplify operations and provide a convenient way to handle various situations. These gestures are designed to be accurate and reduce errors, thanks to a two-step recognition process. Control via gestures also improves accessibility, particularly for users with physical limitations or visual impairments. Easy to set up with both iOS and Android, the Watch 5 includes eSim for making calls, listening to music and surfing without relying on the paired phone.
It also supports Wi-Fi 6 for improved network speeds and over 100 sports modes covering a wide range of activities. The inclusion of Huawei’s Sunflower positioning system and support for online and offline maps further enhance its usefulness for outdoor activities. Great emphasis, in keeping with Huawei tradition, is on battery life. Standard mode ranges from three to four and a half days of use, while Ultra-Long Battery Life goes up to 11 days, with more limited functionality.
