Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro in review: Smartwatch with ECG & longer battery life

Compared to the Watch GT 5, the Pro model offers a classy case made of titanium or ceramic as well as advanced technical features, such as the ability to take an ECG measurement. There are again two versions: 46 mm for men and a round version with 42 mm for women – with different straps in two versions each. The predecessor and the GT 5 were convincing in the test, and this test report clarifies whether this also applies to the new Watch GT 5 Pro, which costs 379 euros.

Like the GT 5, the Watch GT 5 Pro has an octagonal case with a round dial in the 46 mm model. Titanium is used as the material here. The material is light, but still durable. This makes the watch look even more robust and elegant than the GT 5. There is a crown and another programmable button. With a water resistance of 5 ATM and an IP69K rating, the watch is also suitable for swimming. Unlike the GT 5, the Pro model is even certified for free diving to a depth of 40 meters.

The large model is available in dark gray with black fluoroelastomer straps and in a silver version made entirely of metal. The latter looks particularly classy and also looks good with evening wear, but the model with a rubber strap is more suitable for active sports users. In principle, the straps can be changed quickly and easily, and Huawei itself and third-party providers offer other solutions here.

The model for women has a radius of 42 mm and a circular case. Both models are white and use ceramic instead of titanium. The cheaper version comes with a fluoroelastomer strap. The expensive model has a ceramic strap.

The round OLED display on the GT 5 Pro impresses with its razor-sharp display. It is readable even in bright light. The automatic brightness adjustment reacts quickly to changes. The 46 mm model offers a 1.43 inch display, while the 42 mm version has a 1.32 inch display – both with a resolution of 466 × 466 pixels. If you want, you can activate the Always-on Display (AoD) to always have an eye on the time. However, this shortens the battery life by more than a third – depending on the watch face selected.

Communication between the Watch GT 5 Pro and the smartphone takes place exclusively via Bluetooth 5.2 LE – options such as WLAN or LTE are not available. A multi-band GNSS supports GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo and QZSS and ensures precise running recordings, even without a smartphone. The location accuracy is pleasingly high.

Unlike the GT 5, the GT 5 Pro offers an ECG function and the measurement of arterial stiffness. The watch also has a precise optical heart rate sensor, acceleration sensor, gyroscope, barometer and thermometer for measuring skin temperature. A speaker and a microphone enable phone calls as long as the watch is paired with the smartphone. The Harmony OS operating system ensures smooth operation.

The range of apps remains manageable. Petal Maps is available for navigation, and offline maps for outdoor workouts or running are also available for download. Music can be played via the integrated player or Huawei Music – streaming services such as Spotify or Deezer are missing. Despite integrated NFC, there is currently no payment function in Germany due to US sanctions. However, Huawei is working on a solution that will initially be available in Poland and later in Germany.

The operation is intuitive: a swipe upwards opens the smartphone notifications, which can only be answered with preset quick replies or emojis. A swipe downwards leads to the settings, while to the left you can scroll through individually customizable information cards. A swipe to the right shows weather information and other data.

The crown at the top left opens the app overview, which is reminiscent of the app display on the Apple Watch. Visually appealing, but confusing – so we recommend the alternative list view. Double-clicking the crown takes you to the most recently used apps, and turning the crown allows you to scroll or adjust the volume. The programmable button at the bottom right starts the training overview by default, but can be assigned to individual functions.

One sticking point remains the setup: Due to the US sanctions against Huawei, the Health app is not available in the Google Play Store. However, it can be installed via QR code from an alternative source, which is a bit cumbersome. Users of Samsung and Honor devices have it easier because the app is available in one of the app stores. For Apple users, however, the app is available in the Apple App Store.

The Watch GT 5 Pro offers a variety of training profiles for a wide range of sports. Although there is automatic training recognition, it does not always work flawlessly.

The precise optical sensor, which measures heart rate continuously and reliably, is particularly positive. We were particularly impressed by the accuracy during activities with varying intensity, such as indoor cycling – a challenge that many watches with optical sensors have problems with. In addition to heart rate, the GT 5 Pro also monitors oxygen saturation in the blood.

Thanks to the integrated barometer, an altitude profile is created during outdoor sports. Ready-made training plans are available for runners, including interval training. One small difference between the GT 5 Pro and the GT 5: When trail running, you can have the route displayed in advance. In addition to heart rate measurement, the GT 5 Pro offers extended health functions. The watch can create an ECG and measure arterial stiffness, which provides important indicators of cardiovascular health.

Golfers in particular will get their money’s worth with the GT 5 Pro. The watch offers a preview of more than 15,000 golf courses worldwide, including a 3D view of the holes with bunkers, water hazards and trees. Information such as the distance to the hole, wind direction and speed support the golfer when teeing off. During the game, the watch also provides detailed information on the swing and your own result can be recorded in rankings.

Like its predecessors, the GT 5 Pro also offers sleep analysis, which is accessible via the Health app. This analyzes sleep phases such as light and deep sleep as well as waking phases. However, short waking phases, such as when going to the toilet at night, are not always recorded correctly. The watch also monitors breathing rate during sleep, which can provide clues to sleep apnea. In combination with skin temperature measurement, the watch offers cycle tracking for women, including a prediction of the next ovulation.

The large model of the GT 5 Pro is said to last up to 14 days. In the test, we managed to get 13 days, but without the always-on display; we didn’t use it every night to sleep. This is a real answer to smartwatches with Wear OS, which rarely last more than a day. If you hike a lot and then use the GPS more often, you have to expect a much shorter runtime. With the always-on display active and a lot of workouts, the watch can still last a good week without the charging pad. The small 42 mm model only lasts about half as long as the large GT 5 Pro. The charging pad itself has a US-A plug, but a power adapter is not included.

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is characterized above all by its long battery life and stylish design. The heart rate measurement is accurate and the watch also recognizes the location precisely when exercising. The changes were overall smaller compared to the much cheaper GT 5. The biggest difference is the elegant titanium case as well as the ECG function and additional features for fans of golf. The extra cost for this is, in our opinion, quite high.

Due to US sanctions, well-known music streaming services are missing and the NFC payment function is currently not available. Setting up the watch is a bit complicated because the Health app cannot be obtained from the Google Play Store. In addition, the watch is heavily dependent on the smartphone because there is neither WiFi nor LTE on board. The range of apps remains manageable.

The Watch GT 5 Pro is primarily aimed at users who value long battery life, precise fitness tracking and an ECG reading, but can do without comprehensive app support or mobile payments.

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