Huawei Watch Review – Android SmartWatch

By Ken Brown November 19, 2015

Huawei’s Smartwatch for a New Generation

With the holidays approaching, we have seen a large number of wearable electronics to hit shelves. While many of these devices are fun, there are few that are functional and stylish. Many of the fitness bands look pretty much like oversized rubber bands on your wrist, while some smartwatches are oversized and gaudy. Today, we take a look at a watch that is incredibly stylish as well as functional: the Smartwatch by Huawei.

If you havent heard of Huawei then you probably dont live in China where Huawei Technologies is a multi-billion dollar (USD) telecommunications company that has their core business rooted in telecommunications (networking services, etc.), creating enterprise business through hardware and software, and finally, a consumer electronics division that has sold over 150 million mobile devices over the past year.

The Huawei Smartwatch that we have today is the Black Stainless Steel model with the Black Stainless Steel Link Band that retails for $449.99 (comparable to the Apple Watch priced at $549). Huawei ships the smartwatch in a very decorative box which reminds you that their product is more high quality craftsmanship than it is gimmicky wearable device. We think the inscription on the inside of the box is very appropriate, Timeless design, smart within.

Huawei_Smartwatch_--3

Huawei Watch Black Stainless Steel Key Specifications:

Operating System Compatibility
- Android|Apple iOS
Touch Screen
- Yes
Internal Memory
- 4 gigabytes
Water Resistant
- Yes
Operating System
- Android
Body Metrics Measured
- Activity vs. inactivity|Calories burned|Distance traveled|Heart rate|Steps taken|Elevation
Screen Size
- 36 millimeters

Warranty

Parts
- 1 year
Labor
- 1 year limited

Features

Mobile Notifications
- Yes
Email Capable
- Yes
Text Messaging
- Yes
Vibration Alert
- Yes
Phone
- Yes
Alarm
- Yes
GPS Enabled
- No
Processor Speed
- 1.2 gigahertz
Watch Memory (RAM)
- 512 megabytes
Voice Activated
- Yes
Built-In Microphone
- Yes
Calendar
- Yes
Music Player
- Yes
Countdown
- Yes

Activity

Sensors
- Accelerometer
Multi-Sport Tracking
- Yes

Connectivity

Automatic Sync
- Yes
NFC Technology
- No
Wi-Fi Compatibility
- Bluetooth
Wireless Syncing
- Yes
Internet Connectable
- Yes
Bluetooth Enabled
- Yes
Bluetooth Version
- 4.1

Performance

Shock Resistant
- No
Dust Resistant
- Yes
Maximum Depth of Water Resistance
- 3 feet

Power

Instant On
- Yes
Low Battery Alert
- Yes
Battery-Strength Indicator
- Yes
Charging Interface(s)
- USB 2.0
Battery Size
- 300 mAh
Battery Type
- Lithium-polymer

Display

Display Type
- Digital
Display Type
- AMOLED
Date/Time Display
- Date and time
Clock Display
- Yes
Adjustable Brightness
- Yes

Watch

Case Shape
- Circular
Clasp Type
- Buckle
Stopwatch
- Yes
Material
Case Material
- Stainless steel
Band Material
- Leather
Case Back
- Stainless Steel

General

No-Contract
- Yes
Additional Accessories Included
- Magnetic charging cradle, charging adapter
Color Category
- Silver

Dimension

Adjustable Band Length
- Yes
Band Length
- 8.4 inches
Band Width
- 0.7 inches
Case Length
- 1.65 inches
Case Thickness
- 0.44 inches
Case Width
- 1.65 inches
Height
- 1.65 inches
Width
- 1.65 inches
Depth
- 0.44 inches
Weight
- 2.08 ounces

Here is a gallery of the Huawei Watch Black Stainless Steel with Black Stainless Steel Link Band that we received as a loaner to review. The 1.4″ full circle AMOLED display looks sharp and the glass is scratch resistant sapphire crystal. For those that are curious the display on this watch has a 400 x 400 resolution and the pixels per inch (PPI) pretty good as when the second hand is ticking is acceptable looking. Like all Android watches the watch face changes after a few seconds as ambient mode will help save the battery life. The Huawei Smartwatch looks and feels like it has a high quality construction and really is one of the best built smart watches that we’ve seen as it’s certainly a step up from the Moto 360 or ASUS Zenwatch. The stainless steel body contains a Gyro that is sensitive as you’d expect from a luxury Android smart watch that you are paying $450 for.

Inside this watch there is also a speaker, but Huawei did not enable it. We aren’t sure why it isn’t enabled, but if the company enables software support for the speaker down the road it could unlock a number of possibilities that you can do with the watch. Rumor has it that Android Wear Software doesn’t support speakers just yet, but from the looks of this watch, Google is looking into it.