Huawei Watch D2 in test: Smartwatch measures ECG and blood pressure

When Huawei first presented us with the Watch D (test report) in 2022, we were pretty amazed: A smartwatch that can measure blood pressure like a cuff – including a 1-channel ECG and other usual features of a smartwatch. Although the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (test report) can also determine blood pressure approximately in conjunction with a Samsung phone and a cuff for calibration, Huawei’s solution seemed more like a doctor’s visit of the future to us.

Now a successor is available in the form of the Huawei Watch D2. The bulky design now looks less clunky, but is suspiciously reminiscent of the smartwatch pioneer from Cupertino. We tested the new model starting at 399 euros and show what the health watch can do.

The Watch Dist is so brilliant – it wouldn’t even win a flowerpot in a beauty contest. The new Watch D2 is anything but delicate, but its design is still much more delicate. Like so many in the industry, it uses Apple’s standard design: rectangular case, crown at the top and another button. It has IP68 protection against water. It’s best not to wear the watch for swimming or diving.

The Watch D2 is not delicate, but it does look more attractive and is also more comfortable to wear in everyday life. The dimensions are very large at 48 × 38 × 13.3 mm and it weighs 40 g. The clasp is another special feature. First, you measure the circumference of your wrist with a measuring strip that is included in the delivery. Then you select the appropriate hole. The watch stays surprisingly loose on the wrist, which is necessary when measuring your blood pressure. The bracelet then noticeably inflates like a cuff.

The OLED display is 1.82 inches, which is larger than its predecessor’s 1.64 inches. The display is sharp with a resolution of 408 × 480 pixels and a pixel density of 347 PPI. There is an automatic brightness adjustment, which Huawei says can reach up to 1500 nits. This means the watch remains legible outdoors.

In addition to a blood pressure cuff, the Huawei Watch D2 has a GPS module, NFC, Bluetooth and sensors for acceleration, gyroscope, heart rate, ambient light, temperature and differential pressure. An ECG can be created and the oxygen level in the blood can be measured by placing the finger on the side of the lower button. In addition, the watch determines the estimated skin temperature, counts steps, monitors sleep and offers breathing exercises to reduce stress. A precise optical sensor is used to record the heart rate.

The unique selling point of the Huawei Watch D2, like its predecessor, is the blood pressure measurement, which is not carried out using optical sensors, but with an inflatable cuff. Data on height, weight or age cannot be stored so that the measurement can be started immediately after putting on the watch. The duration of the measurement is roughly the same as that of a conventional blood pressure monitor, and Huawei specifies a maximum deviation of three millimeters of mercury.

The only important thing is that you adjust the wristband depending on the circumference of your wrist. Our tests compared with a professional measuring device at your GP show only minimal deviations, which makes the Watch D2 suitable for precise blood pressure measurements. If the values ​​are unusual, you should still consult a doctor. However, a certificate from TÜV Rheinland is available for blood pressure measurement.

A colored scale on the display shows whether the values ​​are in the safe (green), slightly elevated (orange) or critical (red) range. The measurement results can be logged and analyzed in the Huawei Health app, and additional information such as activities can also be added.

The Harmony OS operating system is similar in interface to other Huawei smartwatches such as the Watch GT 5 (test report). The watch works with Android smartphones and iPhones, but hardly offers any apps itself. In addition to Petal Maps, there is a stopwatch, a timer, an alarm clock and a flashlight. You can also read current notifications and play music from the internal memory. Replies are only possible using pre-written short texts.

Due to the US sanctions against the Chinese company, the Health app must be installed via sideloading from other sources. Alternatively, the application is available in Samsung’s Galaxy Store or Honor’s App Market. The app can, however, be found in the Apple App Store.

As with all Huawei watches, the smartwatch is intuitive to operate. The pre-installed watch face shows the time and date as well as your pulse and the last blood pressure measurements. Swiping to the right takes you to a maximum of six cards. These are widgets with an overview of the watch’s functions, such as blood pressure measurement, a 24-hour heart rate overview, blood oxygen measurement, sleep analysis and weather forecast. The cards can be adjusted and alternative watch faces are also available.

The bottom button calls up the blood pressure measurement by default, but can also be assigned other functions, while the “Home” button in the crown calls up the app overview or the home screen again. Double-pressing the crown calls up all open applications. The Watch D2 responds quickly, the operating system runs smoothly and apps open quickly. The display implements touch inputs and swipe gestures promptly and without delay.

The Huawei Watch D2 offers over 70 sports modes, including walking, cycling, rowing and rope skipping. In the test, the smartwatch impressed with its precise step tracking. Thanks to the integrated GPS, cycling tours and running routes can be precisely recorded and then displayed on a map. Automatic training recognition for running, walking, rowing and cross trainers is possible. The Watch D2 then asks itself whether the activity should be recorded.

More than a dozen training courses with different levels of difficulty are available for runners. Users can set individual goals, such as a certain number of kilometers or calories burned. During training, the watch displays the most important parameters, while the Huawei Health app offers detailed analyses, such as the strain on the body and the recommended recovery time. It also offers breathing exercises to reduce stress.

The Huawei Watch D2 also offers a sleep analysis, which roughly divides the sleep phases into light, deep and awake in the Health app. In addition, it monitors the breathing rate during sleep or, if desired, automatically measures blood pressure every 30 minutes – but this can wake you up. In conjunction with the skin temperature measurement, the watch also offers cycle tracking for women, including a prediction of the next ovulation.

Huawei states that the battery life is around six days. This always depends on how often you take your blood pressure and ECG measurements, whether you use an always-on display and how often you use the GP when training outdoors. However, the watch should last around five days (without the always-on display), even if you wear it while you sleep.

The RRP for the Huawei Watch D2 is 399 euros. It is available in dark gray with a black fluoroelastomer strap and in gold with a white leather strap. Huawei is giving away its in-ear Freebuds 5i (test report) and 3 months of Hauwei Health+ for free until October 25, 2024.

The Huawei Watch D2 offers an impressive combination of blood pressure measurement via cuff, ECG and a wide range of fitness and health functions. The precise blood pressure measurement in particular sets it apart from other smartwatches, even if the clunky design and the lack of apps mean some compromises. In everyday life, it impresses with its smooth operation, the accurate recording of sports activities and the useful health functions such as sleep and cycle tracking.

With a battery life of around five to six days and a sharp OLED display, the Watch D2 also scores points technically. Despite the high RRP of 399 euros, it is a sensible choice for health-conscious people who want to monitor their blood pressure regularly. However, those who rely on advanced smartwatch functions may have to look for alternatives.

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