The Huawei Watch 5 is here to make a bold statement in the smartwatch world, blending cutting-edge health tracking, a sleek design, and impressive battery life into a package that’s hard to ignore. Launched in May 2025, this flagship wearable from Huawei takes aim at heavyweights like the Apple Watch Series 10 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, offering a compelling mix of futuristic tech and classic watch aesthetics. Whether you’re a fitness buff, a tech enthusiast, or someone who just loves a good-looking timepiece, the Huawei Watch 5 has plenty to offer. Let’s dive into what makes this smartwatch tick, from its stunning design to its innovative X-Tap sensor, along with its full specifications.
Design: A Masterpiece of Form and Function
The Huawei Watch 5 is a looker, no doubt about it. Available in two sizes—46mm and 42mm—it’s designed to fit a range of wrist sizes and style preferences. The 46mm model comes in aerospace-grade titanium (in silver or purple) or 316L stainless steel (in black), giving it a premium, durable feel that’s both lightweight and tough. The 42mm version, aimed at smaller wrists or those seeking a more refined look, offers 904L stainless steel in Sand Gold or 316L stainless steel in white or green. At just 26g for the titanium models, it’s comfortable enough for all-day wear, whether you’re hitting the gym or heading to a business meeting.
The watch’s 1.5-inch LTPO 2.0 AMOLED display (1.38-inch for the 42mm model) is a stunner, boasting a 466x466 resolution and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. That means crisp, vibrant visuals that stay readable even under harsh sunlight. The bezels are slim—2.2mm on the 46mm model and 1.8mm on the 42mm—for an impressive screen-to-body ratio of up to 82.5%. Topped with spherical sapphire glass, the display has a subtle curve that adds a touch of elegance but can catch some glare outdoors.
Huawei’s attention to detail shines through in the swappable 22mm bands, which range from fluoroelastomer (a fancy term for high-quality rubber) to leather, metal, and woven hybrids. The bands integrate seamlessly with the case for a polished look, and quick-release lugs make swapping them a breeze. A rotating crown with a red accent, a side button, and the new X-Tap sensor sit on the right side, giving you intuitive ways to navigate the watch. Testers have raved about the design, with one reviewer noting, “I’ve never been complimented on a smartwatch quite as much as during my time reviewing the Huawei Watch 5.”
Health and Fitness: The X-Tap Sensor Steals the Show
The Huawei Watch 5 isn’t just about looks—it’s a health and fitness powerhouse. The star of the show is the innovative X-Tap sensor, a 3-in-1 module that combines a pressure sensor, a glass-coated ECG electrode, and a fingertip PPG sensor. Located on the side of the watch, it lets you measure health metrics using your fingertip, tapping into the rich vascular network for faster, more accurate readings than traditional wrist-based sensors. The standout feature here is the Health Glance, which checks up to 11 key metrics in just 60 seconds, including:
- Heart Rate
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
- Blood Oxygen (SpO2)
- ECG
- Arterial Stiffness Detection
- Stress
- Respiratory Check
- Skin Temperature
- Sleep Breathing Awareness
- Emotional Well-Being
- Personalized Analysis
The X-Tap sensor’s ability to measure SpO2 in just 10 seconds is a world-first for smartwatches, and its ECG feature is medically certified for heart health monitoring. Reviewers have praised its accuracy, with one tester comparing it to medical-grade equipment and finding it reliable for tracking heart rate and SpO2. However, the Huawei Health app, while accurate, could do better at turning data into actionable insights. As one reviewer put it, “The app often feels like a repository of historical graphs rather than a hub that inspires behavior change.”
For fitness enthusiasts, the Watch 5 supports over 100 sports modes, covering everything from running and cycling to quirky options like tug-of-war and plaza dancing. Dual-band GNSS ensures precise GPS tracking, rivaling top sports watches like the Garmin Fenix 8, with route accuracy within 50-200 meters over long distances. It also offers advanced metrics like VO2Max, stroke rate for swimming, and compatibility with some gym equipment. Runners and cyclists get extra perks like form feedback and the ability to turn your phone into a bike computer.
Sleep tracking is another strong suit, with Huawei’s TruSleep 4.0 technology delivering detailed breakdowns of sleep stages, nap detection, and a sleep breathing awareness feature that flags disturbances. While not as specialized as devices like the Oura Ring 4, it’s more than capable for most users.
Smart Features and Software: HarmonyOS Next in Action
Running on Huawei’s HarmonyOS Next 5.1, the Watch 5 is compatible with both Android and iOS, though iOS users face some limitations, like the inability to reply to notifications or install apps directly. The interface is smooth and responsive, with gesture controls—like double taps to answer calls or swipes to dismiss alarms—adding a fun, intuitive twist. You get standard smartwatch features like call notifications, music controls, calendar alerts, weather updates, and a camera remote. The watch also supports eSIM for standalone calls and Petal Maps for navigation, but its app ecosystem is a weak point. The AppGallery is sparse, especially for Western users, and there’s no support for popular apps like Spotify or Audible. Contactless payments are also limited outside China, which is a bummer for those who rely on wrist-based transactions.
Battery Life: A Week-Long Winner
One area where the Huawei Watch 5 blows the competition away is battery life. The 46mm model can last up to 11 days in battery-saver mode or 7-10 days with heavy use (always-on display, continuous monitoring). The 42mm version manages 5-7 days, still outpacing the daily charging needs of Apple and Samsung watches. Charging is quick too, with a magnetic puck taking the watch from 0 to 100% in about an hour.
Specifications: The Full Rundown
Here’s the complete spec sheet for the Huawei Watch 5, based on official details from Huawei and reviews:
Sizes: 46mm and 42mm
Materials:
46mm: Aerospace-grade titanium (silver, purple) or 316L stainless steel (black)
42mm: 904L stainless steel (Sand Gold) or 316L stainless steel (white, green)
Weight: 26g (titanium models), 48-63g depending on variant
Display:
46mm: 1.5-inch LTPO 2.0 AMOLED, 466x466 resolution, 3,000 nits peak brightness, 2.2mm bezel, 80.4% screen-to-body ratio
42mm: 1.38-inch LTPO 2.0 AMOLED, 466x466 resolution, 3,000 nits peak brightness, 1.8mm bezel, 82.5% screen-to-body ratio
Glass: Spherical sapphire glass
Operating System: HarmonyOS Next 5.1
Battery:
46mm: 867 mAh, up to 11 days (saver mode), 7-10 days (typical use), 2-3 days (AOD enabled)
42mm: Up to 5-7 days (typical use), 1.5-2 days (AOD enabled)
Charging: Magnetic puck, ~1 hour for full charge
Sensors: X-Tap (ECG, PPG, pressure), accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light, barometer, temperature, magnetometer
Health Features: Health Glance (11 metrics), ECG, SpO2, HRV, heart rate, stress, sleep tracking (TruSleep 4.0), arterial stiffness, respiratory check, skin temperature, emotional well-being
Fitness Features: 100+ sports modes, dual-band GNSS, VO2Max, stroke rate, form feedback, gym equipment connectivity
Connectivity: eSIM, Bluetooth, NFC (limited outside China), Wi-Fi
Water Resistance: 5 ATM, IP69, supports freediving up to 40 meters
Bands: 22mm quick-release (fluoroelastomer, leather, metal, woven hybrids)
Controls: Touchscreen, rotating crown, side button, X-Tap sensor, gesture controls
Compatibility: Android, iOS (with limitations)
Price: Starting at £399 (~$530), varies by model (£449-£649 in Europe)
Additional Features: Petal Maps, call notifications, music controls, calendar, weather, camera remote, screenshot support, QWERTY keyboard for replies
The Verdict: A Fitness-Focused Gem with Some Trade-Offs
The Huawei Watch 5 is a premium smartwatch that excels in design, health tracking, and battery life. Its X-Tap sensor and Health Glance feature set a new standard for quick, accurate health monitoring, making it a dream for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious users. The titanium build, vibrant display, and long-lasting battery make it a joy to wear, whether you’re tracking a run or dressing up for a night out. However, the limited app ecosystem and lack of contactless payments outside China hold it back from being a true all-rounder. If you prioritize style and health tracking over a robust app store, the Watch 5 is a standout choice.
Priced at £399 (~$530) and up, it’s not cheap, but it undercuts the Apple Watch Series 10 in some markets while offering comparable build quality and better battery life. For those in the U.S., you’ll need to import it, as Huawei products aren’t sold stateside due to trade restrictions. If you’re after a smartwatch that looks as good as it performs and don’t mind a few software compromises, the Huawei Watch 5 is well worth a look.