Huawei Watch 5, a concentrate of well-being on your wrist

With the launch of the new Huawei Watch 5, the Chinese manufacturer redefines its proposal in the premium smartwatch sector, focusing on innovation in health monitoring, build quality and sophisticated design. Available in Italy starting from 449 euros, the device is positioned in the high-end of the market, aiming to compete with the top of the range Apple and Samsung, but playing on a different terrain: that of duration, autonomy and the centrality of personal well-being.

The Huawei Watch 5 comes in two sizes, 46mm and 42mm, to suit different wearability and aesthetic needs. The 46mm variant tested in this review features a black 316L stainless steel case with a silicone strap, but it is also available in more sophisticated configurations such as aerospace-grade titanium, including a new “Chromatic Purple” color. The spherical sapphire crystal provides high resistance to shocks and scratches, while the overall construction conveys a sense of solidity and attention to detail.

The 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display, with a maximum brightness of 3000 nits and reduced bezels, guarantees excellent readability even under direct sunlight. The adaptive refresh system contributes to an excellent user experience, even if in standard mode you can perceive some small uncertainty in the animations which however do not compromise the overall fluidity.

The smartwatch is powered by the new HarmonyOS NEXT 5.1 version, which further improves the graphical interface and animation management. The user experience is fluid, visually satisfying, with well-finished menus, richly detailed dials and a system that is consistent throughout. However, the operating system still suffers from a lack of third-party apps, especially when compared to watchOS or Wear OS.

Smart features include notification management, music control, alarms, reminders, remote camera control, and calls via the built-in eSIM. Gestures are a nice addition: you can answer a call or dismiss an alarm with a simple double-tap or swipe, although app integration is still limited.

The technological heart of the Watch 5 is the X-TAP system, which introduces for the first time a multi-sensory interaction through the fingertips. This allows for advanced and real-time measurement of parameters such as SpO2, ECG, HRV (heart rate variability), skin temperature, arterial stiffness, breathing quality, stress and nine other key indicators. A simple touch on the sensor located between the two side buttons activates the “Health Glance” check-up, which in about 60 seconds provides a complete analysis.

The sensor can also continuously detect blood oxygen levels from the fingertip – an industry first – making the device particularly suitable for health-conscious users, athletes and those with specific medical needs. With over 100 sports modes, offline map support and precision GPS (based on Huawei's proprietary "Sunflower" system), the Watch 5 confirms itself as one of the best devices for physical activity on the market. Activities also include water sports and altitude monitoring thanks to the integrated barometer. The data collected is detailed and intuitively displayed via the Huawei Health app, which acts as a true hub of digital well-being. Sleep monitoring is particularly advanced, with cycle detection, sleep quality, nighttime heart rate and breathing awareness during sleep.

One of the strong points of the Huawei Watch 5 is undoubtedly its battery life. Depending on the version and usage, it ranges from 3 to 11 days. The 46 mm model in standard mode reaches about 4.5 days of average use, while by activating the “airplane” mode (which deactivates eSIM but maintains Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), you can gain another two days. The energy saving mode, which deactivates advanced functions such as Wi-Fi and eSIM, allows you to reach up to 11 days of battery life, while maintaining most of the smart functions active. The 42 mm model, more compact, offers a lower but still competitive battery life: up to 3 days in normal use and 7 in energy saving mode.

Thanks to eSIM connectivity, you can make and receive calls directly from the smartwatch, with good quality both incoming and outgoing. You can also use a separate number or share the smartphone number, depending on your needs and operator support. The vibrations are well calibrated and the notification management is precise, with the possibility of customizing which apps can send alerts to your wrist.

The Huawei Watch 5 competes with devices like the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Compared to these, it offers significantly better battery life and a broader and more advanced health section, although it sacrifices something in terms of the app ecosystem. However, for those looking for a smartwatch focused on well-being, durability and independence from the smartphone, the Watch 5 represents a concrete and solid alternative.

The Huawei Watch 5 is not just a stylish wearable: it is a device designed to offer concrete tools to monitor, understand and improve your health, while maintaining a refined stylistic look. The lack of a real app store may represent a limitation for some users, but it is more than compensated by exclusive features such as SpO2 monitoring via finger, heart rate variability and the complete wellness package. At 449 euros, the price is not modest, but it reflects a level of technical and construction sophistication that few competitors can offer in the same price range.