Huawei Watch 3 (Pro) in the test: With HarmonyOS, eSIM and Krone

July 25, 2021 at 2 p.m.

The Huawei Watch 3 Pro is the first watch with HarmonyOS, and it also wants to score points with the crown as a control element and an eSIM. In the test, she only succeeded to a limited extent so far.

Huawei Watch 3 Pro im Test

Editorial rating 7,7 Reader rating

No ratings yet

NETZWELT may receive a commission from the dealer for links on this page. More info.

Chic to look at, but not always practical in everyday life

The Huawei Watch 3 (Pro) pleases on the wrist with its elegant look and excellent workmanship. However, not every user should like the size and weight. The range of functions is limited when using the watch with non-Huawei devices. In addition, there is still a lack of apps for the new system and the software still seems very unstable in some cases.

We liked that

large and bright display
noble workmanship
Can also be used without a smartphone

We didn’t like that

very difficult
Functional restrictions with non-Huawei devices
still limited app selection
Software still seems unstable to some extent

With the Watch GT 2-Serie celebrated Huawei great success in the smartwatch sector. Now the Chinese manufacturer is sending a successor into the race. The Huawei Watch 3 dispenses with the addition of “GT”, but waits for it with an app store, the new HarmonyOS system, an integrated eSIM and one of the Apple Watch inspired crown as a control.

The Huawei Watch 3 is available in two versions. In addition to the basic model, Huawei also offers a Pro version, which differs from the regular Huawei Watch 3 as follows.

This is how the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro differ

With 48 x 49.6 x 14 millimeters and a weight of 64 grams, the Huawei Watch 3 Pro is larger and heavier than the base model, which measures 46.2 x 46.2 x 12.15 millimeters and about 54 grams without Bracelet weighs. The main reason for this difference is the battery.

This is much more generously dimensioned in the Pro model and, according to Huawei, should last up to 5 days in smart mode, while it is only 3 days for the basic model.

Huawei Watch 3 Pro in pictures

Pictures of the Huawei Watch 3 Pro.

In addition to these technical differences, there are also a few optical differences: The Huawei Watch 3 is available in three colors: black, brown and gray. The Pro model is only available in brown and gray. The bracelet also varies depending on the color chosen. While the brown model comes with a leather strap, the gray version comes with a metal strap, while the black model has a plastic strap attached to the watch case. All variants are up to 5 ATM

waterproof.

For our test, Huawei provided us with the Watch 3 Pro in the brown color variant with a leather strap.

Huawei Watch 3 (Pro): Device

The Huawei Watch 3 can not only be used with Huawei phones, but also with the iPhone or an Android phone from another manufacturer. The only requirement: This must run at least with Android 6.0 or iOS 9.0. The Huawei Heatlh-App needed.

However, installing this is not that easy, at least on non-Huawei phones with Android. You will only find an outdated app on Google Play. You have to get the latest version from the Download the network yourself from Huawei and install it via sideload. Unfortunately, Huawei does not provide information about this in the accompanying instructions.

A QR code displayed on the watch should bring you directly to the app, but that didn’t work for us in the test. Instead, we only received the error message “No suitable app to execute the link” available. The not that simple setup can sometimes spoil the fun of the new gadget.

Tip: As an alternative to sideloading, the Installation of Huawei’s own app stores. Huawei Health can of course also be obtained from the so-called app gallery.

This is what the Huawei Watch 3 Pro feels like

The Huawei Watch 3 Pro stands out on the wrist. (Source: Netzwelt)

Once set up and wrapped around your arm, the Huawei Watch 3 Pro is very appealing. The watch looks high quality. The processing quality is in no way inferior to the Apple Watch. The case is made of titanium and ceramic. Confusing, although the color variant is called “brown”, the watch case is made of silver, only the leather strap is brown.

Incidentally, it can be changed in just a few simple steps. All you have to do is flip a small switch on the bracelet and pull it off the case. Although our test model is brand new, the leather strap is not stiff, but hugs the wrist gently.

There, the Huawei watch quickly attracts attention just because of its size. The AMOLED display of the smartwatch measures a stately 1.43 inches diagonally. She is sensitive to touch. In addition to the touchscreen, as mentioned at the beginning, you also have a crown for navigating through the menus. It can also be pressed, for example to confirm entries. There is also a second button on the device that gives you quick access to a previously defined app.

Information is displayed comparatively large on the watch screen so that it is easy to read, even when it is exposed to sunlight. Even entering a long Wi-Fi password on the watch’s on-screen keyboard is easy without having to make a lot of typing mistakes.

In the long run, however, we found wearing the Huawei Watch 3 exhausting due to its weight. But this is a matter of taste.

What can you do with the Huawei Watch 3 Pro?

The Huawei Watch 3 (Pro) can initially act as a supplement to the smartphone. If you grant the watch the appropriate permissions, it will at least show you incoming notifications and calls on the watch under Android. This also applies to WhatsApp messages

WhatsApp and Co. – Receive notifications from your mobile phone

While you can already take calls on the watch when the smartphone is paired, you cannot yet respond to incoming messages – not even with ready-made emojis or short replies. The function is to be retrofitted with a software update, Huawei informed us when asked.

It remains unclear whether you can then write messages with all apps. Because the Huawei Watch 3 only shows what you can see in the notification bar of the mobile phone. While the entire message is displayed here on WhatsApp, for example on Tinder you only see that you have a message from a match and then you have to open the app.

Control music playback and camera of the mobile phone

Other features that are available to you in connection with the mobile phone are the control of the music playback and the camera via the Huawei Watch 3. The latter is unfortunately only possible on selected Huawei phones and the control of the music playback is also possible with non-Huawei phones. Devices are severely limited. You can skip forward or backward a song, pause playback and adjust the volume. You only have access to your playlist when using the service Huawei Music and a Huawei phone.

Heart rate, temperature and more: collect health and training data

But even without a connection to the mobile phone, the Huawei Watch 3 can perform many functions. It not only counts your steps, but also measures your pulse 24/7 if you wish, tracks your sleep, measures your blood oxygen content (SpO2) as well as the current stress level and even the skin temperature. This is made possible by a number of sensors and an integrated GPS module. Medical functions – such as an EKG, on the other hand, are not available to you.

Nevertheless, the Huawei Watch 3 gives you information about your health and tips on how you can live healthier through the recorded data. She is also a loyal companion when doing sports. Regardless of whether it is about hiking, running or cycling, the Huawei Watch 3 can record numerous activities and record appropriate performance data, and even comparatively accurately.

In the test, we let the Huawei Watch 3 Pro record a cycling activity and a unit and compared the values with a Garmin Forerunner 735 XT that was worn on the wrist at the same time. There were minor deviations when cycling. While distance and speed were recorded correctly, there were more pronounced differences in heart rate.

Here Garmin gave an average of 11 beats more than the Huawei Watch 3 Pro. When walking, on the other hand, there were no significant deviations in the values mentioned. The deviations when cycling can therefore be attributed to an inaccurate attachment of the watch.

Can also be used without a mobile phone: eSIM and App Store

If you activate the integrated eSIM, you can also use the Huawei Watch 3 Pro to make calls or use the mobile Internet without a cell phone. The Huawei Watch 3 Pro accepts this eSIMs Telekom, O2, Vodafone and 1 & 1.

In the preinstalled App Store Huawei App Gallery you will find apps that expand the functionality of the watch in this situation. However, the choice is still limited. German users can, for example, download the kicker live ticker and keep up to date with the game of their favorite team. However, the HarmonyOS app of the kicker only provides rudimentary information about the course of the game and still seems quite loveless overall.

Battery life

What about the battery life of the Huawei Watch 3 Pro? As mentioned at the beginning, Huawei states that the Pro version coupled with a phone can last up to 5 days on one battery charge. However, the values depend heavily on your use as well as on the paired mobile phone. For an iPhone, for example, the term specified by Huawei is reduced to 2.5 days. According to our test impressions, we consider this information to be realistic for most users.

The watch can be charged using the wireless charging cradle provided. The Huawei Watch 3 Pro does not come with a power supply unit.

We also noticed that

The Harmony OS system is often not yet running smoothly. In the test, the kicker app often only showed a black screen when it started and could only be “reanimated” after the third attempt.

We also receive the frequently displayed data protection information and inquiries as to whether we grant the watch or one of its apps this or that authorization as annoying. Huawei’s attempt to create transparency in the handling of your data is commendable. But when you get a data protection notice practically after pressing every second button, you get a queasy feeling and you prefer to take the smartwatch off completely.

Price and availability

The prices for the Huawei Watch 3 start at 369 dollars, the Pro model starts at 499 dollars. Both watches have been available in stores since June 2021.