In many ways, the new Huawei Watch makes more sense than the Watch 3 unveiled this summer.
The battery life is longer, the activity logging is the same, if not better, and it also costs less. If I could still make payments, install standalone apps, and support music streaming, that would be closer to perfect.
Perhaps it will be clear to everyone that watches from the GT family are not a typical representative of smartwatches, but smartwatches that focus primarily on recording and health monitoring activities. They don’t have as wide a set of features and apps as those of Apple or Samsung, for example, but the shortcuts leave them far behind when it comes to battery life. At the same time, they are on par with the best in life recording, while the sports watches are superior in appearance. They are nothing special. More like a stylish traditional watch than anything else!
Aesthetics at the level of traditional watches
The Watch GT 3 is available in two sizes. Larger by 46 and smaller by 42 mm in diameter, the latter is good for the fairer sex. Both are stylistically perfect, with a slightly curved screen protruding at the edges. The larger scale has a digital scale around the edge, while the smaller scale has virtually no edge, giving them a very special aesthetic. The stainless-steel casing in both cases is thinner than an inch and without a strap it is very light, at just 36 grains in weight. One of the versions even has a very interesting metal strap, from which you can remove or add links without using tools. Although it holds the watch well on the wrist, which is a requirement for accurate operation of the sensor, there is also a black synthetic strap, which will probably perform better during sports activities. Changing the belt is also quick and easy, making it even easier to use. In addition to the touch screen, there is a rotating crown and a small button underneath to operate with the default jump-back role. They are especially useful when the screen is wet and touch recognition is disabled, do not disturb it in any way, and in fact complement the aesthetics of the device.
Beautiful, bright screen, better response, more accurate sensor
At first glance, the Huawei Watch 3 GT convinces with its 1.43-inch AMOLED screen, it is very bright, sharp and contrasting, and therefore readable in all conditions. Although the refresh rate is not comparable to 90 or 120 Hz smartphone screens, the animation display is better than on older GT family watches. With a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels, it provides enough space for a comprehensive display of information and more creative discs. The processor is supposed to be new, although there is no data on the type (yet) and the operating system is based on Harmony OS. As a result, the operation is very smooth and responsive, while the way information is presented, the menu structure and information cards have not changed significantly compared to previous hours. However, using the watch is very simple and intuitive.
Although there is a large variety of dials available, on the other hand, there are quite a few customization options to choose from. For example, if you only want to change its color scheme, let alone if you want to change the information displayed. As usual, the Watch GT doesn’t offer a constantly full-lit screen. At least not with the specified dial. By activating this function, a simpler function appears on the screen after a certain period of time. However, there are many of them or they are already included in some respects. Like we said, there are fewer smart features. In addition to receiving a call via Bluetooth, the watch also displays notifications, with the option to answer them via preset short phrases.
Most importantly, it preserves the traditions of its ancestors in terms of life span. The battery there lasts up to 14 days (up to 7 days in the smaller watch with a smaller battery), which will last. With continuous measurement of heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, brief measurement of occasional activity, sleep monitoring, display of notifications and turning off the constantly lit screen.
Impressive measure
If anything stands out besides the battery, it’s the capacity and accuracy to monitor activity and health. Huawei has improved the optical heart rate sensor, which is the main sensor upgrade as well as operating the satellite receiver in two frequency bands. The sensor has more light fixtures, so the measurement is more accurate. A temperature sensor has also been added, with the watch measuring heat at the skin level. To what extent the data is useful is not yet entirely clear, but on the other hand it is not redundant.
The Huawei Watch GT 3 is a grateful finishing touch to older models, while eliminating some of their drawbacks and keeping their advantages. Now we are waiting for Huawei to introduce some new measurements. What’s more, the ability to measure heart pressure on the wrist, which will likely be available with the next new smartwatch. We want something else. The watch has a mobile wallet, but it does not work here. Hopefully soon, because the ability to pay by the hour is one of the smart features that makes us prefer it.