Huawei’s new smartwatches have arrived, and this year there’s plenty to choose from. Huawei updates its GT Pro series twice a year, so while in 2023 we got the Watch GT4, in 2024 we’ll have to choose between the Watch GT5 and the Watch GT5 Pro.
To make things even more confusing, there are smaller and larger versions of each model, each with a radically different design, not to mention the variety of colors and different straps to make you understand.
If you like the look of these new wearables, but are having trouble deciding which one to buy, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll explain all the differences, so you can choose a watch that’s perfectly suited to your needs.
Huawei has just launched six new smartwatches
Design and construction
The Huawei Watch GT5 comes in 41mm or 46mm sizes, and the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro in 42mm and 46mm sizes. Each model has its own unique style and is available in a range of finishes to suit different tastes.
The smaller watches both have a more feminine aesthetic, which some people will definitely prefer, but the larger models carry a very different, more masculine design.
It’s not like the Google Pixel Watch 3 or the Apple Watch Series 10, which are simply the same but different sizes. At first glance, you probably wouldn’t think they’re part of the same series, but the features remain mostly the same in different sizes.
Luc Baker
All options are nicely designed, but styling is subjective and only you can decide which model looks best on you. Beyond looks, the biggest difference between the GT5 and the Pro is the materials used.
The 46mm GT5 Pro is made from an aerospace-grade titanium alloy, which is used throughout the bezel and case. It makes the watch slightly lighter and is also ultra-strong and corrosion-resistant.
If you opt for the 42mm model, the watch is made from a special nano-ceramic material, with gold or silver accents that incorporate a similar titanium alloy. Both sizes also use highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal coatings on the display.
The standard GT5 watches have a more typical smartwatch build. The 41mm and 46mm models are made of stainless steel and use a molecular fiber composite back case. Huawei didn’t specify what glass is used to cover the display, but it’s not sapphire, so it’s likely more prone to marks.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Both the GT5 Pro and non-Pro watches benefit from Huawei’s new TruSense system, with faster and more accurate tracking of health metrics than previous models, and both have a host of activity modes they can track. The list includes everything from running and cycling to more specialized activities like horse riding and skydiving.
If you opt for the GT5 Pro, you’ll get access to additional modes. The most feature-rich is the new golf mode. It supports 15,000 different golf courses worldwide and lets you access a 3D map of the course right on your wrist.
Luc Baker
It can accurately measure your distance to the green, track wind speed and direction, and even account for elevation changes. It can also track your swings, recommend clubs, and record your scores. If you’re an avid golfer, this is one of the most comprehensive smartwatches in its price range and is almost certainly worth the extra expense.
The GT5 Pro also lets you import offline maps and routes with topographic data for trail running. It can be used to navigate while you’re on the trail and will assess elevation changes, terrain difficulty, and finish times.
If that’s not enough for you, the GT5 Pro also has an apnea mode. Its waterproof depth has been increased to 40 meters and the screen remains bright and visible in such conditions. It will track everything from your dive time to your depth and more.
Luc Baker
The GT5 Pro also lets you take an ECG anywhere, anytime, with the push of a button. While the GT5 only offers standard heart rate monitoring, if you’re serious about your heart health, you might want to consider the Pro.
Battery life
Surprisingly, there is no difference in battery life between the GT5 and the GT5 Pro. The difference depends entirely on the size of the watch you choose.
The 46mm models offer up to 14 days of battery life on a charge or 9 days of typical use. The 41/42mm models have less space for a battery and only offer 7 days of battery life or 5 days of typical use.
Either way, they charge using a magnetic puck and take about an hour to go from charging to fully charged.
Price and verdict
Of course, price will always be a big factor in choosing your next smartwatch, and as you might expect, the GT5 Pro costs more than the GT5.
The Huawei Watch GT5 models start at £229.99, while the GT5 Pro models start at £329.99. Both models can be ordered from the Huawei UK website (with a free pair of FreeBuds 5i earbuds until October 22) as well as Amazon, Currys and Argos and, as usual, neither are available to buy in the US.
As for which one you should buy, it all depends on your needs as well as your design tastes.
If you’re a golfer, trail runner, or freediver, the extra tracking capabilities are probably worth the extra cost. For everyone else, you’re not losing much by going with the GT5, and you’re saving a significant amount of money. There’s definitely something alluring about that beautiful titanium finish, though.
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