Huawei Watch 5 is proof that the Chinese producer shows no sign of stopping in theinnovate the wearable sector dedicated to sports and health, further refining the technology on the D2 Watch. The new smartwatch arrives in two dimensions (42 and 46 mm) with a selection of materials and colors that bring it closer to a “high” clock. The sapphire glass protects the display in all versions, while the case can be in 904L steel – an alloy used also in traditional watchmaking – or in aerospace titanium, lighter and more resistant.
Reduced frames and a 3,000 Nits display that promises excellent readability. We tried it, a preview test of a week, and here are the first impressions after keeping it on the wrist all the time, thanks also to excellent autonomy and quick recharging.
A new sensor, now there are two
The heart of the Watch 5 is the new detection system called X-tapwhich adds to the usual reading from the wrist the possibility of obtain data also from the tip of the fingers. Just place a finger on this second sensor for about 10 seconds to have a quick reading of the oxygenation of the blood (SpO2), with advantages in terms of reliability compared to the classic reading from the wrist: less interference from skin pigmentation, hair or loose straps.
The sensor it works well, but It is essential to press it in the right way: luckily it is the clock itself that tells usreporting if the pressure is sufficient or if you have to increase it. Also appreciated, also the fact that by pressing the sensor directly the shortcut that performs Health Glance, the “all -inclusive” test on health -related parameters.
Health Glance: nine parameters in a minute
One of the key functions is Health Glancea complete scan that detects up to 9 parameters in about 60 seconds. It starts with the ECGwhich requires a prolonged touch (30 seconds), and continues with the beat, the skin temperature, the saturation of oxygen in the blood, the stress and a vocal test designed to analyze the tone of the cough. All data are then integrated into a report that highlights any anomalies compared to previous periods and provides suggestions.
The attention to the variability of heart rate (HRV) and at the level of stress, with the aim of going beyond the simple punctual measurement and proposing a continuous and contextual reading of health. To get the maximum from the system, Huawei recommends wearing the clock at least two consecutive days – better a week – so as to collect sufficient data for a more accurate analysis.
The strength of the new health analysis algorithms, in fact, is their memory over time, the possibility of saving the data and comparing the current ones with those of the past, so as to identify any anomalies with respect to the norm.
Gesture Control and Interaction
The Watch 5 can be controlled even without touch thanks to the gesture control, which recognizes two precise gestures of the fingers: a thumb scrolling on the index and a double-inch touches-index. The first allows you to navigate the options (e.g. accept or refuse a call), the second serves to confirm. It is a function also designed for those with reduced mobility or cannot use their hands in certain contexts, and in this it is certainly more useful.
It works with basic checks (responding to a call, for example), and in theory it can also be used for the music reader who, however, finds some inaccuracies and lag when controlled through gestures. In short, it must be seen more as help and is a still unripe functionality to make it preferable to the classic touch control. To the practical act, after some tests, We preferred to disable it.
Very well, however, the control via keys: the wheel returns a vibration while rotating to navigate the menus, and is really pleasant to use. All keys, in general, have an excellent feedback and are immediate in the answer.
Smart functions: good sport and health, few those from “smartwatch”
On board, at hardware level there is everything expected from a modern smartwatch: ESIM support With double number, an app to make calls without the mobile phone by importing contacts from our smartphone, Wi-Fi 6 module and all health apps and for tracing different types of sports and exercises.
The satellite location system is precise and aligns in a few inclined, hooking the satellites so as to precisely trace a race for example. There is also the satellite navigator: it’s not that of Google but it’s called Petal Maps, It works in Italy and manages the navigation on foot or by bikewith the classic track with turning point on the map or with turning pictures in simplified mode.
Can you reply to the messages of WhatsApp and Telegram? Yes: Watch 5 View notifications of all messages, and you can reply with the keyboard on the screen of the smartwatch or with predefined answers. You cannot listen to the voice messages and you cannot reply by registering a vocal message, but You can use the microphone to dictate an answer.
Autonomy, now you can choose
Watch 5 has two modalities of use. In that standardwith all active functions, autonomy reaches 3 days for the 42 mm e 4 days For the 46 mm, without the works “Always on” which always keeps the screen active. Anyone wishing to use this function must take into consideration one day of autonomy less. In mode energy saving We give up something in terms of connectivity and continuous recording, but you earn independently: up to 7 days for the smaller model and 11 days for the larger one. There quick charging Complete requires about an hour (42 mm) or an hour and a half (46 mm).
These data, declared by Huawei, are very close to reality: The test was too short to test the “energy saving” mode, and we reserve the right to return to the theme later. As for the standard mode, however, in the week of use we have been able to confirm that the declared data corresponds to the actual autonomy, and these are excellent performance if we consider that this smartwatch continues to measure many parameters in real time.
Defects and things to improve
What to improve: if from the point of view of the quality of the materials you cannot complain, as well as the software linked to health which is full of information, explains every function and works with sensors now very competitive and supported by algorithms that are able to reduce the imprecision to negligible values, there are some aspects that sin.
The first is that of the consents: Each application, the first time, needs to navigate between two consensus screens. Well to inform the user on privacy, less well because it is a boring process And we would have preferred an option to give an approval consent to all apps, or at least to be able to choose whether to give general consensus or approach the apps individually.
The second concerns the touchscreen: it works well but in the drop -down menu with rapid controls, the rounding of the display makes the touch in the central area inaccurate, however nothing that cannot be resolved with a slight modification of the keys in the interface.
Huawei makes excellent smartwatch dedicated to health, now there is also Petal Maps that can be used for pedestrian or cycle navigation in Italy … but there are no apps from smartwatch, such as the one for wallets with cards or apps for the smart house (locks, gates, anti -theft and so on). Defect? It depends on who you ask and on which smartwatch you arrive. Also the smartwatch it is unable to synchronize the activation of the night mode on the mobile phone: result? You have to activate it twice, one to silence the notifications on the clock, the other from the phone.
Conclusions
Huawei Watch 5 is an excellent smartwatch for the Health and sport: rich in functions in these areascompatible with Android and iOS and with a style that also makes it elegant, in short, for those looking for something different. Good autonomy, but only smart functions are discreet: There is the answer to messages via keyboard and voice command, but you cannot send or listen to the voice messages.
And the display? Very pleasant to see from off, and with performance promoted also in full sunlight, you can always read thanks to the 3000 declared Nits. The rounding forces for some more reflection, but it is the price to pay to have a more elegant device when turned off.
To be evaluated on the basis of use: Who does not need third -party appswill be with a Great product for health, sports and notifications.
The price? Both measures cost 449 € Beautiful basic version.
For both, buying it on the Huawei store, you will have a strap, the freebuds 6i and 12 months of warranty extension.
