Comprehensive Huawei Watch Breakdown Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview

The Huawei Watch, announced in March 2015 and released in September of the same year, introduced a sophisticated blend of style and technology to the burgeoning smartwatch market. With its classic design and advanced functionalities, it stood out among contemporary smartwatches, appealing to both tech enthusiasts and fashion-conscious consumers. Despite being discontinued, its features and design aspects continue to capture interest.

Design and Build

The Huawei Watch boasts a premium design with a stainless steel 316L frame and a sapphire crystal glass front, enhancing both durability and elegance. Measuring 42 x 42 x 11.3 mm and weighing 60.5 grams, the watch offers a balance between comfort and luxury, making it suitable for extended wear. The availability of several strap options, including leather, steel link, and mesh, allows for customization to suit various styles and preferences.

Display

The watch features a 1.4-inch OLED display with a resolution of 400 x 400 pixels, resulting in a sharp 286 ppi pixel density. This high-resolution display ensures clarity and vibrancy, facilitating easy readability of notifications, time, and apps. The use of sapphire crystal glass not only protects the screen from scratches but also adds a premium touch to the device.

Performance and Software

Equipped with the Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 chipset and a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, the Huawei Watch delivers reliable performance for a smartwatch. It includes 512MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which is sufficient for running Android Wear OS 2.1 smoothly and storing apps and watch faces. The Adreno 305 GPU further supports graphic-intensive applications, enhancing the user experience.

Connectivity

The watch connects via Bluetooth 4.1, allowing seamless pairing with smartphones for notifications, calls, and app interactions. Although it lacks cellular connectivity and Wi-Fi, its features remain robust for regular smartwatch uses. The absence of NFC means no direct support for contactless payments, which can be a limitation for some users.

Battery Life

Fitted with a 300 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery, the Huawei Watch supports a full day of typical use. Charging is facilitated with a 10W wired charger, making it convenient to power up the device within a short time frame. Although it does not support wireless charging, the charged battery efficiently accommodates day-to-day smartwatch functionalities without frequent recharging.

Features and Sensors

The Huawei Watch is equipped with various sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, and barometer. These sensors enable fitness tracking, including step counting, distance measurement, and heart rate monitoring, making it a companion for health-conscious users. Despite the absence of built-in GPS, the available sensors compensate by delivering essential fitness and health metrics.

Sound and Communications

With a built-in loudspeaker, the watch handles audio notifications and calls, although it omits a 3.5mm audio jack. The integration of a speaker boosts its multifunctionality, enabling users to make hands-free calls directly through the watch when paired with a smartphone.

Pricing and Availability

Initially launched at approximately 290 EUR, the Huawei Watch was positioned within the premium segment of the smartwatch market. Despite being discontinued, its elegant design and robust features maintain an appeal, often sought in the second-hand market and by collectors interested in vintage smart technology.

Concluding Thoughts

Although the Huawei Watch has been discontinued, it represents a significant achievement in Huawei's approach to blending technology and aesthetics. Its combination of premium materials, high-resolution display, and reliable performance led to its acclaim as a worthy competitor in the wearable tech space of its time. While newer models now offer advanced functionalities, the Huawei Watch's legacy continues to inspire appreciation in the realms of technology and design.