TECH REVIEW – Huawei’s GT Pro series operates on a two-year upgrade cycle, so while we saw the Watch GT4 last year, there was no GT4 Pro. Now, the GT5 line has arrived in both Pro and non-Pro versions, with each model coming in two sizes: larger and smaller.

I had the chance to test the larger Pro model, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The titanium alloy case paired with the fully metallic watch strap gives it a genuinely premium feel. Huawei aims to deliver the best of both worlds: a fashionable, everyday timepiece combined with a top-tier fitness tracker.

But how does it measure up to the competition? Huawei’s wearables often come with a few extra hurdles, like the fact that the Huawei Health app isn’t available in the App Store or Google Play.

So, is the Watch GT5 Pro worth the hassle? After wearing it for a week, here’s my breakdown. But first, let’s take a look at the specs:

Specifications:

• 43-inch AMOLED display
• IP69K certification for water, dust, and corrosion resistance
• Built-in speaker
• Single-band GPS
• Up to 14 days battery life (46mm model)
• Up to 7 days battery life (42mm model)
• Heart rate sensor
• Blood oxygen monitor
• Skin temperature sensor
• ECG functionality
• Bluetooth calls
• Sleep tracking
• Stress monitoring
• 87 grams (with metal strap)

Design and Build Quality

The 46mm titanium version of the Watch GT5 Pro makes an immediate statement. It feels undeniably high-end and looks like a luxury watch.

The only drawback of such premium construction is the weight. With the metal strap (after removing a few links), it weighs about 86 grams. It’s not overly heavy, but you’re definitely aware you’re wearing it.

If you’re in the market for a premium watch, this heft might be exactly what you’re looking for. Tech companies often strive to make devices as light as possible, sometimes sacrificing quality for weight. That’s certainly not the case here.

The design borrows elements from previous models, but the bezel has been refined—it’s now flatter and more angular, with a unique octagonal shape that sets it apart from its round counterparts. The matte finish feels durable and resists fingerprints and smudges well.

On the right side of the watch, there’s a button and a rotating crown, both placed at a 45-degree angle, which prevents accidental presses when resting your wrist on a table. The rotating crown is functional, allowing you to scroll through menus or zoom into maps—a feature worth noting, OnePlus.

The metal strap can be adjusted without any tools, and there’s a quick-release button for easy removal. If you prefer a sportier look, fluoroelastomer straps are available, and thanks to the standard push-pin mounting system, third-party straps should be easy to find.

The display is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire glass, and the model I tested featured a stylish two-tone blue and red ceramic interior bezel. It’s a small touch, but it adds some extra flair to the watch.

If smaller watches are more your style, Huawei offers the 42mm GT5 Pro. It includes all the same features but has a smaller battery due to the reduced case size. Interestingly, the 42mm version has a radically different design—it’s so distinct that at first glance, you wouldn’t think the two are part of the same series.

The 42mm GT5 Pro is made from ceramic, available in lighter colors (white or ceramic) with gold and silver accents. It leans towards a more feminine design but is equally striking. In my opinion, Huawei has nailed the styling on both options.

Display and Audio

The touchscreen is incredibly responsive, even a light drizzle didn’t affect its performance.

There’s a built-in speaker on the right side of the watch, which is primarily used for calls and workout alerts, but you can also listen to music, similar to the Apple Watch Series 10, if that’s your thing. The volume is surprisingly loud, and the audio quality is quite decent, considering it’s a smartwatch.

The GT5 Pro runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS, and it pairs with the Huawei Health app on your smartphone. The app is compatible with Android, iOS, and Huawei’s EMUI devices, though thanks to US sanctions, you’ll only find it in Huawei’s App Gallery, and it requires sideloading on other devices. For tech-savvy users, this is no big deal, but it’s far less seamless compared to the competition.

Once set up, the watch delivered calls and notifications to my wrist quickly and reliably, as long as all permissions (and there are plenty) were granted.

Huawei has taken some heat in the past for lacking basic features found in competing smartwatches, but things are improving. This generation includes a keyboard for quick replies, and yes, you can finally take screenshots too.

What’s more exciting is that you can now use the watch for navigation with full-color maps and topography provided by Petal Maps. It works similarly to Google Maps on a Wear OS device: start the navigation on your phone, and directions will be transferred to the watch.

Petal Maps wouldn’t be my first choice for navigation services, but it works well enough. At least on Android—that feature is currently unsupported on iOS.

The Huawei Health app is loaded with fitness-related features, from workout plans and calorie tracking to detailed health insights. It also features a watch face store with plenty of free and paid options, and an app store to boost functionality. Unfortunately, the app store is pretty bare, and I didn’t find much worth downloading.

The Watch GT5 Pro supports contactless payments via Huawei Wallet, but this feature is unavailable in the UK or the US. This could be the single biggest downside to the device since every similarly priced competitor supports this feature.

Pinpoint GPS Accuracy

One of the standout features of the Watch GT5 Pro is its GPS accuracy. After reviewing my routes from walks and bike rides, the watch was precise enough to show which side of the road I had been on. This is due to Huawei’s Sunflower Antenna, which reportedly improves route accuracy by 40% and distance accuracy by 30% compared to previous generations.

The list of trackable activities is extensive, covering everything from common exercises to niche activities like rollerblading. It even includes things like parachuting, parkour, motorsport, and eSports. Whatever your interest, the GT5 Pro likely has a mode for it.

One of the biggest new features is the golf mode, which is exclusive to the Pro model and isn’t available on the standard GT5. While I’m not a golfer myself, this feature could be a game-changer for those who are.

Golf mode supports 15,000 courses worldwide, offering a 3D preview right on your wrist. As you play, it provides precise distance measurements to the hole, factoring in wind speed, direction, and elevation changes.

It tracks your swings, recommends clubs, and even keeps score. It’s like having a personal caddy on your wrist—though it won’t carry your clubs for you.

Battery Life and Charging

Huawei claims up to 14 days of battery life for the 46mm model and 7 days for the 42mm version. Of course, actual battery life varies depending on which features you enable and how often you use the watch.

Personally, I prefer to have most features active at all times. I’m happy to sacrifice some battery for maximum functionality.

This meant all health monitoring features were running 24/7, and I kept the always-on display active throughout my testing period. Even so, I only had to charge the watch once a week—impressive indeed.

When it does need charging, you use the magnetic charging puck included in the box. It plugs into a wall adapter or computer via USB-A, and it charges the watch quickly. From completely dead, it only takes about an hour to fully charge.

Should You Buy the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro?

The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro has been a joy to wear over the past few weeks, and I’ve received plenty of compliments about it. In terms of aesthetics, it’s one of the best-looking smartwatches on the market, and it feels as premium as it looks.

When it comes to fitness tracking, I have zero complaints. The measurements are accurate and reliable, and the GPS is by far the best I’ve encountered. For golfers, this watch is even more appealing, offering more features for the sport than any other smartwatch.

Battery life is another area where the GT5 Pro shines, allowing you to enable all the features and still only needing to charge it once a week.

However, it’s not perfect. The Petal Maps navigation, while nice to have, is still far behind Google Maps.

On the downside, the $499 price tag might make some potential buyers think twice—but for those seeking a premium smartwatch, it might just be worth it.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Contra:

– Difficult application installation
– Petal Maps is not very advanced
– Lack of contactless payment