Huawei Watch 5 Review: A Premium Smartwatch That Prioritizes Health Monitoring

Huawei has officially unveiled the Huawei Watch 5 at a global launch event in Berlin, marking its latest flagship wearable release. This time, there’s no Pro model—just one powerful, health-focused smartwatch that’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices. With optional eSIM support, users can even leave their phone behind and stay connected on the go.

Table of Contents

Design

Display

X-Tap Sensor

Software & Features

Battery Life

Verdict

Design: Premium Build in Two Sizes

We tested the 46mm Huawei Watch 5 in Purple Titanium with a composite strap. The build is as premium as it gets—sapphire glass, titanium case, and a sleek, curved design that sits comfortably on the wrist. Despite its size, it weighs just 58 grams.

For those preferring a smaller option, there's a 42mm variant, which features a reduced battery capacity but retains the same aesthetic appeal.

Display: Super Bright and Eye-Catching

The 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display offers a sharp 466 x 466 resolution, and Huawei has bumped up brightness to 3,000 nits—their brightest wearable yet.

A domed glass design returns from the Watch 4 series, giving the screen a more premium look and feel. Watch faces are customizable through the Huawei Health app, though the more dynamic, animated faces can drain battery faster.

X-Tap Sensor: One-Touch Health Monitoring

The standout feature is the new X-Tap Sensor. Instead of navigating through menus, users can place a finger on the sensor for 60 seconds to get a complete health snapshot—ECG, SpO2, heart rate, stress levels, and even a cough-based respiratory check.

The sensor combines three technologies:

Pressure Sensor (10–50x more accurate than wrist sensors)

ECG Electrode

PPG Optical Sensor

All health data is collected into a single app – Health Glance, now including HRV (Heart Rate Variability) tracking, a feature becoming standard among high-end wearables.

Software & Features: HarmonyOS 5 at Its Best

Running on HarmonyOS 5, the Watch 5 brings refined gesture controls (like thumb-index taps) and over 100 workout modes, including special options for trail runners and golfers.

Huawei also introduced Health Insights, which provides long-term health trend analysis. Note: Only Huawei's recent wearables like the Watch GT 4, Watch Fit 4 Pro, and Watch 5 support the advanced tracking required.

Connectivity is top-tier with Wi-Fi 6 support and optional eSIM, although the latter depends on local carrier compatibility.

Switching between Standard Mode and Ultra-Long Battery Life Mode now takes just 3 seconds, significantly improving user experience from previous generations.

Battery Life: Long-Lasting with Fast Charging

The 46mm model packs an 867 mAh battery, while the 42mm holds 540 mAh. In Standard Mode, expect around four days of use (three days with AOD).

With Ultra Battery Mode, users can stretch usage up to seven to ten days, depending on settings and activity tracking.

Charging is fast—0 to 100% in 90 minutes using the included CW05 charger. Qi wireless charging is supported but works best with Huawei’s charger due to design constraints.

Verdict: Worth Every Cent

Starting at €449 for the stainless-steel model and €549 for the titanium version, the Huawei Watch 5 is actually more affordable than its predecessor.

Bundled offers vary by region:

Germany: Freebuds 6i, extra strap, and a 3-year warranty

Spain: Discounted Huawei scale

Poland: FreeArc discount

If you're a wearable enthusiast or looking to upgrade to a premium smartwatch, the Huawei Watch 5 is a solid choice. With its beautiful design, rich health-tracking features, and smart functionality, it checks nearly every box.

Looking for something lighter? Consider the Watch Fit 4 Pro as a more affordable alternative.