30.09.2024 
HUAWEI has recently launched their WATCH GT 5 line-up of smartwatches. These devices bundle new sensors, have excellent build quality, and offer features dedicated to niche activities such as golfing. The more expensive representative of the new family is the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro, which adds ECG capabilities, premium materials, and the ability to track water-based activities like diving. If you are curious to learn more about this smartwatch, how it looks, and how it works, read this in-depth review based on my real-life experience:
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro: Who is it good for?
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro is a great choice for:
- People looking for an elegant watch
- Athletes and fitness enthusiasts who track their sporting activities
- People who want to keep an eye on their health
- Users who want a smartwatch with good battery life
- Those interested in golfing or diving activities
Pros and cons
Here are the things I like about the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro:
- Different sizes and designs for men and women
- Excellent materials and build quality
- Good battery life
- Well-designed health tracking features, including ECG
- Improved GPS tracking accuracy
- Detailed tracking profiles for golf and diving activities
As for downsides:
- Some features aren't yet available for iPhone users
- NFC payments are available only in China
- Limited app ecosystem
- Too many prompts for agreeing to terms and conditions
Verdict
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro strikes a good balance between style and functionality, particularly for health and fitness enthusiasts. While it may not dominate any category, it offers a well-rounded experience with some standout features. HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro impresses with its premium build quality, elegant design, and robust battery life. Its suite of health monitoring tools is also noteworthy, with its ECG capabilities being a particular highlight. HUAWEI has improved its GPS and sports tracking accuracy, developing specialized features for niche activities like golfing and diving (up to 40 meters). However, the WATCH GT 5 Pro isn't without its limitations. Its app ecosystem remains limited compared to competitors, and some features will only become available to iPhone users in future firmware updates. Despite these shortcomings, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro proves to be a reliable companion for health and sports tracking. It's especially appealing for Android users or those already invested in the HUAWEI ecosystem, offering a blend of style, functionality, and durability that makes it a solid contender in the mid-range smartwatch market.
Unboxing the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro comes in an elegant black cardboard box with a big picture of the device on the top cover, alongside the product name and the company logo.
The packaging for HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
The sides of the box don't have a lot of printed information, and you'll probably be more curious to open it first and see what's inside. When you open the box, you see the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro with a removable sticker on its display, protecting it from scratches.
Opening the box reveals the watch
When you unbox everything, you find the following items: the smartwatch, its charging cradle, the quick start guide, product safety information, and the warranty card. The titanium version that I received for testing also has a small box with spare elements that allow you to lengthen the bracelet in case your wrist is thicker than average.
All the items and accessories found inside the box
As always with HUAWEI smartwatches, unboxing the WATCH GT 5 Pro is a stylish experience that makes you feel that you've just bought a premium device. However, before you start using it, you should first charge the watch using the cradle found inside the box.🙂
Design and hardware specifications
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro comes in two sizes and four color versions, for both men and women, all pictured below. The male versions have a size of 46 mm and are available in black or titanium, while the female versions have just 42 mm in size and are available in white or ceramic white.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro: colors and sizes
The size and colors are not the only differences between the versions for men and the ones for women. Their design is also different. For example, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro for males has an octagonal design, and its body (from its case to its bezel) is made of aerospace-grade titanium alloy. The black version has a normal fluoroelastomer strap, while the titanium version has a heavier strap made from titanium. This material is lighter and more durable than stainless steel and is also strong and corrosion-resistant. As you can see, I received for testing the titanium 46 mm version of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro.
The 46 mm titanium version of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
The female version of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro has a rounded design, with gold accents, and it’s made of a white ceramic material that feels more delicate to touch. The strap for the ceramic white version is made from light-gold ceramic titanium, aiming to look more like a luxury timepiece than a smartwatch, while the strap for the cheaper white version is made from fluoroelastomer.
The female versions for HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
The price for the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro varies based on its size and the materials used for the strap. As you can imagine, the titanium and ceramic white versions are more expensive than the others.
The 46 mm versions of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro have a size of 46.3 mm Ă— 46.3 mm Ă— 10.9 mm (1.82 x 1.82 x 0.43 inches), while the 42 mm versions have a size of 42.49 mm Ă— 42.49 mm Ă— 9.6 mm (1.67 x 1.67 x 0.38 inches). They weigh 53 grams (1.87 oz) or 44 grams (1.55 oz) without the strap. On the right side of this smartwatch, you find a crown (which also works as the Home button) and a side button that doubles as an electrode for measuring the ECG.
The buttons on the right side of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
The speaker on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro is placed just below the buttons on its right side.
The speakers is found under the buttons
The microphone is found on the left side of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro, hidden in a small hole.
The microphone is on the left side of the watch
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro has a beautiful touch AMOLED display that's 1.43 inches in size for the 46 mm versions and 1.32 inches for the 42 mm variants. The resolution is 466 x 466 pixels on all versions, while the pixel density is 326 ppi on the 46 mm version and 352 ppi on the 42 mm. This smartwatch features a NFC chip for fast payments, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and GPS. However, it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, so delivering firmware updates and installing apps may take longer than it does on smartwatches with Wi-Fi.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro features a touch AMOLED display
The HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro boasts a long list of sensors, starting with the heart rate and charging sensors on the back of the device. HUAWEI says that this smartwatch has a new TruSense health monitoring system, which should do a better job at measuring blood oxygen levels and identifying a wider range of pulse signals. The sensors extend far beyond these core functions, including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, depth sensor for diving activities, ECG sensor, gyroscope, magnetometer for orientation relative to Earth's magnetic north, and temperature sensor.
The sensors on the back of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
As you can see in the picture below, the straps for this watch have a quick-release mechanism. Alongside the titanium version, I also received a HUAWEI EasyFit 3 22mm Blue strap made from silicone. For this product launch, HUAWEI has expanded its strap offerings, with various options available at competitive prices. Prospective buyers may want to explore these options in their local HUAWEI online store to personalize their Watch GT 5 Pro experience.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro features 22mm quick-release straps
The HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro has a 5 ATM water resistance rating for swimming and water sports, an IP69K certification for protection against dust and high-pressure water jets, and the ability to withstand dives up to 40 meters deep, making it a robust companion for various aquatic activities and harsh environments.
This smartwatch works with HUAWEI, Android, and iOS devices. HUAWEI UK's product page also mentions offering a “Defined Support Period” up to 04/09/2026. If I understand correctly, the company guarantees software support for this device only for two years, which doesn’t feel like a lot of time, especially considering the durability ratings of the HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro. Also, many users, including myself, expect to use a device of this type for three or four years before considering switching to a new one.
Overall, I like the design of this smartwatch, its elegance (especially that of the versions made for women), and its solid hardware specifications. They should translate into a capable device that is useful to many. If you are a technical user who wants to see even more specifications and a detailed list of all this smartwatch's features, go to this page: HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro.
Setting up and using the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
Setting up the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro is done through the help of the HUAWEI Health app. While the app is available for Android and iOS, Google Play users won't find an updated version and will have to download an APK file to install it. However, iPhone users can download HUAWEI Health from the App Store, and recently, Samsung users can get it in the Samsung Galaxy Store, which should make it a lot easier to install the app and keep it up to date.
When you open the app, sign in with your HUAWEI account (or create one, if needed) and add your smartwatch to it. The app detects it in a couple of seconds, and asks you to pair it with your smartphone, give HUAWEI Health its required permissions, set up notifications, and more.
Adding the watch to HUAWEI Health
You should also check for firmware updates and install them when available. Shortly after the release of the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro, the company released a few updates, which fixed bugs, improved performance, and added features like RouteDraw, that weren't available in the initial firmware. Once you get that out of the way, you should familiarize yourself with the HUAWEI Health app and the watch itself. Luckily, the app is well organized into sections, and it presents data in a visual manner that is easy to understand. Most of your time will be spent in its Health section, where you see detailed metrics about your health and activities.
The HUAWEI Health app
If you haven't had a HUAWEI smartwatch before, you should also start navigating through the watch's interface and learn how to use the crown and the Down button. One downside is that many of the apps found on the watch require you to agree with their terms before using them, even though they are all made by HUAWEI and you've already agreed to several terms and conditions in the HUAWEI Health app. This can be frustrating, as you'll encounter such prompts for every health-related feature on the watch the first time you use it.
Navigating the apps found on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
The apps on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro work well and are easy to use. However, the list of installed apps isn't long. Alongside those for monitoring different aspects of your health like your Sleep or Heart Rate, you get only a few others, like a Flashlight, Stopwatch, Calculator, Wallet, or Petal Maps. To extend this list, you must use the AppGallery from the Devices section of HUAWEI Health. There you will find a few other apps, including third-party ones. Unfortunately, the app ecosystem is limited, and installing third-party apps is not supported when using the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro alongside an iPhone.
The apps available in the AppGallery
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro has 14 new watch faces, each with various widgets and functionalities. Most of them are well done, and some, like the Pet Panda watch face, are fun to use. You can also find good-looking watch faces in AppGallery, and I appreciate that there's a good collection of free ones available, not just paid ones.
Some watch faces are cute and funny
In their marketing materials, HUAWEI brags about offering a built-in keyboard for writing SMS text messages, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Signal, Telegram & Viber replies. This feature isn't yet available for iPhone users but works for Android smartphones. I found the experience of using the keyboard a bit difficult and not exactly productive. However, if you own a HUAWEI smartphone, you unlock the ability to dictate messages instead of typing them on your watch, making the experience of replying to messages easier. This can be done with the help of HUAWEI’s Celia assistant, which is available only when using HUAWEI smartphones.
The Celia keyboard is not that easy to use
After a few tries, I decided that it is easier to reply to calls and messages using the predefined text messages available on the watch, which can be personalized from the HUAWEI Health app. Speaking of calls, you can answer them on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro, and it all works well as long as you have your smartphone around. There's no LTE connectivity available, but the call quality is better than the one of previous HUAWEI smartwatches I've tested.
It's easy to respond with predefined text replies
Another feature that was not available in the initial firmware version of this smartwatch was the ability to take screenshots. While I did hear a click sound each time I took one on the watch, I couldn't access them from AppGallery, like HUAWEI said I should. However, after a few days of use, I received a firmware update which allowed me to access all my screenshots with ease, including in the Photos app on my Android smartphone. Below you can see a screenshot I've made while consulting my heart rate data.
A screenshot taken on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
Unfortunately, this feature isn't yet available for iPhone users. And when you read the product page carefully, you see a mention stating that “this feature will be made available via OTA update for iPhone users.”
To write this review, I wore this watch day and night for two weeks. During this time, I appreciated how elegant the titanium version looked, the quality of its display, and its excellent outdoor visibility. However, I didn't like how heavy it felt during workouts, and especially during sleep. After a few days, I felt the need to replace its titanium strap with the EasyFit 3 22mm Blue strap, made from silicone. After a few more days, I switched between the two straps depending on my needs: I used the titanium strap if I went to an event or an important business meeting where I wanted to look my best. Then, I switched to the silicone strap when I wore the watch at home or when working out for maximum comfort. You may opt to do the same.🙂
The screen is bright even when used to track activities outdoors
Based on the official specs, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro 46 mm battery should last around 9 days of typical use and up to 14 days of lighter use. I wore this watch day and night to track several outdoor walks, two pilates sessions, two outdoor runs, and a hiking activity. During this time, its battery lasted exactly nine days. I'm pleased to see a company providing realistic autonomy estimates for their devices. I didn't test the 42 mm version of the WATCH GT 5 Pro, but the company says it should last around five days of typical use and up to seven days of light use. When it comes to charging, if you're using a HUAWEI smartphone charger, you can get this watch fully charged in sixty minutes. I didn't have a HUAWEI charger, so I connected the charging cradle to a PC, and it took 114 minutes for the battery to charge from 0% to 100%. In thirty minutes, it charged from 0% to 36%.
Charging the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro
The three standout features I appreciate about the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro are the quality of the materials used to create this device, its beautiful design, and good battery life. However, at launch, its smartwatch experience isn't significantly better than its predecessors from the WATCH GT 4 line-up. That's because HUAWEI has copied from Apple's playbook and for iPhone users is promising features that aren't here yet, and will arrive at a later unknown time, through firmware updates. I wish HUAWEI had done a better job developing all features and ensuring they are available for everyone on day one of their product launch.
On page two of this review, you will learn about the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro's health and sports tracking capabilities.
