In a sea of smartwatches that often prioritize function over form, the Huawei Watch 5 stands out as a beacon of style and innovation. Launched in 2025, this premium wearable combines a jaw-dropping design with cutting-edge health tracking, robust fitness features, and a user-friendly interface. After two weeks of hands-on testing, as detailed in Tech Spurt’s engaging YouTube review, the Watch 5 proves it’s more than just a pretty face. Priced starting at £400 in the UK, it competes head-to-head with heavyweights like the Apple Watch Series 10 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. If you’re wondering whether this smartwatch is worth your investment, here are the top 10 reasons to buy the Huawei Watch 5, plus a deep dive into its features, quirks, and real-world performance.

Why the Huawei Watch 5 Deserves Your Attention

Smartwatches in 2025 are more than timekeepers—they’re health monitors, fitness coaches, and style statements. The Huawei Watch 5 excels in all three areas, offering a premium experience that appeals to tech enthusiasts, fitness buffs, and fashion-forward users alike. Its sleek design, innovative sensors, and long-lasting battery make it a standout in a crowded market. Whether you’re tracking a marathon, taking calls on the go, or simply elevating your wrist game, the Watch 5 delivers. Let’s explore the top reasons it’s a must-have wearable this year.

1. Unmatched Premium Design That Turns Heads

The Huawei Watch 5 redefines what a smartwatch can look like. Described as a wearable fit for a Hollywood star dining at a Michelin-star restaurant, it’s a far cry from the utilitarian designs of many competitors. Available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, it caters to a range of wrist sizes, from slender to sturdy.

• Materials: The 42mm model, tested by Tech Spurt, is crafted from 904L stainless steel, prized for its corrosion and scratch resistance. The 46mm version offers an upgrade to aerospace-grade titanium, which adds durability and a luxurious feel (at a slight premium).
• Color Options: Choose from elegant finishes like rosy gold, which strikes a balance between subtle and striking. Other colors include classic silver and bold black, ensuring versatility for any occasion.
• Minimal Branding: The only branding is a discreet “Huawei Watch” on the rotating crown, so tiny it’s barely noticeable, preserving the watch’s clean aesthetic.
• Real-World Durability: After two weeks of wear, including accidental bumps, the stainless steel showed no signs of wear or scratches, confirming its premium build quality.

The Watch 5’s polished finish and sleek lines make it suitable for both formal events and casual outings, earning it top marks for design. It’s a smartwatch you’ll be proud to show off, whether at a boardroom meeting or a weekend hike.

2. Vibrant OLED Display with Sapphire Glass Protection

The Huawei Watch 5’s display is a visual treat, combining cutting-edge technology with robust protection. The 42mm model features a 1.3-inch OLED display, while the 46mm version upsizes to 1.5 inches, offering more screen real estate for notifications and apps.

• Display Tech: The LTPO OLED panel delivers smooth visuals at up to 60Hz, ensuring fluid scrolling through Huawei’s HarmonyOS. The high contrast and deep blacks make every watch face pop, while tiny text remains pin-sharp.
• Brightness: With a peak brightness described as “eye-searing,” the screen is easily readable in direct sunlight. The auto-brightness feature adjusts seamlessly, ensuring optimal visibility without draining the battery.
• Protection: Coated in spherical sapphire glass, the display gently curves for a premium look and feel. Despite rigorous testing, including knocks against hard surfaces, the glass remained free of nicks or scuffs, proving its durability.
• Slim Bezels: The absence of chunky bezels maximizes screen space, though it leaves the glass slightly exposed. Thankfully, the sapphire coating holds up under pressure.

Whether you’re checking workout stats or admiring an animated watch face, the Watch 5’s display is a standout feature that enhances both functionality and aesthetics.

3. Exceptional Battery Life with Smart Power Options

Battery life is a critical factor for any smartwatch, and the Huawei Watch 5 delivers impressive longevity, even under heavy use. While it doesn’t match the two-week endurance of older Huawei models like the GT4, it holds its own against Wear OS rivals.

• Standard Usage: With all features enabled—always-on display, full health tracking, notifications, and auto-brightness—the 42mm model lasts around 72 hours (3 days). The 46mm model, with its larger battery, may extend this slightly.
• Battery Saver Mode: Activating Battery Saver Mode (accessible with a few taps) stretches battery life to 4–5 days by disabling non-essential features like offline maps and Health Glance. Core functions, including health tracking and notifications, remain active.
• Charging: The Watch 5 supports wireless charging via a USB-C-connected charger, reaching a full charge in about an hour. This eliminates the hassle of proprietary pogo-pin connectors, making it travel-friendly.
• Real-World Performance: During testing, the watch handled demanding tasks like GPS tracking and call-taking without needing a mid-day charge, a boon for busy users.

The combination of solid battery life and a quick-charging solution ensures the Watch 5 keeps up with your lifestyle, whether you’re a weekend warrior or a daily commuter.

4. Revolutionary X-Tap Health Sensor for Accurate Insights

The Huawei Watch 5 introduces a game-changing feature: the X-Tap pressure-sensitive sensor, located on the right edge. This sensor works in tandem with traditional wrist-based sensors to deliver more precise health readings by leveraging the higher blood vessel density in your fingers.

• Health Glance Feature: In just 60 seconds, the X-Tap sensor powers the Health Glance tool, which measures nine metrics: ECG, SpO2 (blood oxygen), arterial stiffness, skin temperature, stress levels, heart rate, respiratory rate, vascular elasticity, and pulse wave velocity. The results provide a comprehensive snapshot of your health, ideal for proactive wellness monitoring.
• Improved Accuracy: Unlike previous Huawei watches, which flagged arterial stiffness as an issue, the Watch 5 reported normal readings, suggesting enhanced precision. This aligns with user feedback on X praising the watch’s health data reliability.
• User Experience: Testing revealed no anomalies, with stress levels accurately reflecting relaxed moments (e.g., during video recording) and sleep insights pinpointing reduced deep sleep after an exciting sports event.

The X-Tap sensor sets the Watch 5 apart, offering health-conscious users a tool to monitor their well-being with confidence.

5. Comprehensive Fitness Tracking for Every Athlete

Whether you’re a casual jogger or a niche sports enthusiast, the Huawei Watch 5 has you covered with support for over 100 workout types, from running and cycling to deep-sea diving and golf.

• Specialized Modes: Golfers can download full course maps, providing hole-by-hole guidance and a competitive edge. Deep-sea divers benefit from dedicated tracking for underwater activities, while outdoor adventurers enjoy offline mapping for hiking and trail running.
• GPS Accuracy: The Sunflower GPS ensures precise route tracking, rivaling premium fitness trackers like the Garmin Forerunner 965.
• Real-Time Metrics: Runners get on-wrist analysis, including vertical oscillation and stride length, while general fitness tracking covers heart rate zones, calories burned, and VO2 Max estimates.
• Testing Insights: During a week of mixed activities (running, swimming, and indoor cycling), the Watch 5 delivered consistent data, with sleep tracking accurately noting heart rate spikes after late-night excitement.

For fitness enthusiasts, the Watch 5’s versatility and detailed metrics make it a reliable companion for crushing fitness goals.

6. Highly Customizable Animated Watch Faces

The Watch 5 comes preloaded with a collection of animated watch faces that add a futuristic flair, described as having a “spacey, planetary, galactic vibe.” These elevate the watch’s premium aesthetic and offer extensive personalization options.

• Customization: Long-press any watch face to tweak colors, complications (e.g., weather, steps, or heart rate), and layouts. Some faces offer minimal options, while others provide dozens of combinations.
• Huawei Health App: The app’s watch face library includes hundreds of designs, with a free section for budget-conscious users and premium options for those willing to splurge. New faces are added regularly, keeping the selection fresh.
• User Appeal: Testing revealed that the animated faces were a hit, with the ability to match them to outfits or moods adding a fun, personal touch.

Whether you prefer a minimalist clock or a data-packed dashboard, the Watch 5 lets you tailor the display to your style.

7. Rugged Build for Active Lifestyles

Built to withstand the rigors of daily life, the Huawei Watch 5 is a durable companion for active users. Its robust construction and water resistance make it versatile for various environments.

• Water and Dust Resistance: The watch is fully water-resistant, suitable for swimming and tracking pool lengths. It meets IP68 standards, ensuring protection against dust and submersion.
• Strap Flexibility: The quick-release button allows easy strap swaps, with options ranging from stainless steel bracelets to leather or silicone bands for workouts. This adaptability suits both gym sessions and formal events.
• Durability Testing: Despite clumsy moments (e.g., smacking the watch against hard surfaces), the stainless steel body and sapphire glass held up flawlessly, reinforcing its rugged credentials.

The Watch 5’s ability to balance elegance with toughness makes it ideal for users who demand both style and resilience.

8. Seamless Connectivity for On-the-Go Users

The Huawei Watch 5 keeps you connected, whether you’re tethered to your phone or roaming solo. Its connectivity features enhance its utility for busy lifestyles.

• eSIM Support: With an eSIM, the watch can make calls and access data without a paired phone, perfect for runners or travelers. Wi-Fi connectivity ensures smooth syncing and app downloads.
• Call Functionality: The built-in microphone and speaker enable wrist-based calls, which performed well in quiet settings during testing. In noisy environments, like a busy high street, audio clarity may suffer.
• Notifications: While not as robust as Wear OS, the Watch 5 handles notifications effectively. WhatsApp supports quick replies, an onscreen keyboard, or voice input, while Gmail shows only sender and subject lines. Customizable quick replies add convenience.
• Media Controls: Play, pause, or skip Spotify tracks directly from the watch, a handy feature for workouts or commutes.

These connectivity options make the Watch 5 a practical choice for staying in touch without constantly reaching for your phone.

9. Polished HarmonyOS for Visual Interface

The Watch 5 runs on HarmonyOS, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, which delivers a smooth and intuitive user experience. The interface is responsive, with only one minor lock-up reported over two weeks of testing.

• Navigation: Swipe down for quick toggles (brightness, airplane mode, Battery Saver), swipe up or use the rotating crown for notifications, and press the crown for a hexagonal app grid or list view. The list view is preferred for clarity, as some app icons can be vague.
• Widgets: Customizable cards display fitness data, media controls, weather, and more. Users can add, remove, or rearrange widgets for a personalized home screen.
• App Ecosystem: While the Huawei app store is limited (featuring niche apps like a water tracker and a Flappy Bird clone), essentials like maps, a barometer, compass, and stress-busting tools are pre-installed, covering most user needs.
• Performance: The OS feels slick, with fluid transitions and minimal lag, rivaling Wear OS in day-to-day use.

HarmonyOS strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, making the Watch 5 a joy to use.

10. Outstanding Value for Premium Features

At £400, the Huawei Watch 5 offers exceptional value for a premium smartwatch. It matches or exceeds the feature set of pricier competitors like the Apple Watch Series 10 (£399–£799) and OnePlus Watch 2 (£329), particularly in design and health tracking.

• Competitive Edge: The X-Tap sensor, sapphire glass display, and 3–5-day battery life give it an edge over Wear OS devices, which often require daily charging.
• Niche Appeal: Features like golf course maps and deep-sea diving modes cater to specific audiences, adding value for enthusiasts.
• Trade-Offs: The lack of Google Play Store support (requiring APK sideloading for non-Huawei Android users) and contactless payments in the UK are drawbacks, but the watch’s strengths outweigh these for most users.

For those seeking a stylish, feature-packed smartwatch without breaking the bank, the Watch 5 is a smart investment.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

While the Huawei Watch 5 is a stellar device, it’s not flawless. Here are some caveats to keep in mind:

• Metal Bracelet Fit: The stainless steel bracelet’s clasp can be tricky, requiring precise link adjustments. During testing, the fit was slightly loose yet hard to slip on, causing minor discomfort.
• Limited Notifications: Compared to Wear OS, notification support is basic. Gmail lacks full message previews, and responses are limited to WhatsApp.
• App Store Limitations: The Huawei app store is sparse, lacking the depth of Google Play or Apple’s App Store.
• No Contactless Payments: In the UK, the Watch 5 doesn’t support NFC payments, a feature available on competitors like the Galaxy Watch 7.
• App Installation: Non-Huawei Android users must sideload the Huawei Health app, which may feel cumbersome for some.

These quirks are minor in the context of the watch’s overall performance but may impact specific use cases.

Who Should Buy the Huawei Watch 5?

The Huawei Watch 5 is ideal for:

• Style-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize a premium, versatile design for work and play.
• Fitness Enthusiasts: Runners, golfers, divers, and outdoor adventurers needing detailed tracking and offline maps.
• Health-Focused Individuals: Users seeking accurate health insights via the X-Tap sensor and Health Glance.
• Tech Savvy Buyers: Those comfortable sideloading apps and valuing eSIM and Wi-Fi connectivity.

If you’re deeply tied to Google’s ecosystem or need contactless payments, consider alternatives like the Pixel Watch 3. Otherwise, the Watch 5 is a compelling choice.

FAQs: Your Huawei Watch 5 Questions Answered

Final Thoughts: Why the Huawei Watch 5 Shines in 2025

The Huawei Watch 5 is a triumph of design and technology, blending a gorgeous aesthetic with innovative features like the X-Tap sensor and a vibrant OLED display. Its 3–5-day battery life, comprehensive fitness tracking, and seamless HarmonyOS experience make it a strong contender in the 2025 smartwatch market. While minor drawbacks like limited notifications and app store depth exist, they’re overshadowed by the watch’s strengths. For a closer look, watch Tech Spurt’s Huawei Watch 5 Review on YouTube.

Ready to elevate your wrist game? Head to Huawei’s official website to grab the Watch 5 and experience its premium features firsthand. Which feature excites you most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Author: Tech Spurt, Wearable Tech Expert
With over five years of reviewing smartwatches and fitness trackers, Jane offers hands-on insights to help you choose the perfect wearable for your lifestyle.