The Huawei name is synonymous with cutting-edge technology, and the company’s latest GT smartwatch is feature -packed – but change to the OS is problematic.
The Background
Huawei’s first two smartwatches were extremely successful, not least because of their integrated Android Wear operating system. But its third release, the Huawei GT, has dropped Wear OS in favour of its own platform, LightOS. Other changes include paring back software to boost battery life – so have the new additions and changes made this watch a good investment? Or should things have stayed the way they were?
The Features
The original two Huawei smartwatches used the Android Wear operating system, however the GT uses Huawei’s own proprietary platform. Also, the Qualcomm chipset was used on the first two Huawei devices while this iteration has an unknown chipset. While this may be off-putting, you’ll be pleased to hear that the device runs smoothly, with syncing and connection being almost instant.
Unfortunately, there are downsides. The LightOS software isn’t really up to scratch, being considerably more limited than the most advanced smartwatch operating systems on the market today. For a start, third party apps aren’t supported so what you see on your GT watch is what you’re going to get, and nothing more.
The Design
The GT is light and thin, boasting a full-color display and a comfortable strap. It’s a stylish and slim smartwatch with an appearance very similar to the earlier Huawei Watch 2. Measuring only 10.6mm in thickness, it fits comfortably around the wrist without being too bulky or obtrusive.
The AMOLED display measures 1.39” and is clear and bright. You’ll have no trouble in reading your stats and the touchscreen is intuitive and user-friendly. There are also two buttons which allow the user to navigate the interface without using the touchscreen.
The bezel features numbers around it so it has a similar appearance to a traditional watch although its ceramic construction makes it look and feel a little more sophisticated than some of its rivals. The remainder of the watch’s exterior is metal, with a silver body and brown leather strap or black body and black silicone strap.
The Fitness Tracking
The main fitness tracking app on the GT watch is Workouts. This offers the majority of the tracking functions that you’d expect. As well as heartrate monitoring and step tracking, it also offers several easy-to-set-up modes including Indoor Run, Outdoor Run, Climb, Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, Trail Run, Indoor Cycle, Open Water Swim, Pool Swim and Other. As this model is also waterproof rated to 5ATM you can easily wear it to track your water activities.
This smartwatch also has integrated GPS which connects quickly and functions well.
What Are The Main Advantages?
- Water resistant to 5ATM
- Stylish, slim and unobtrusive design
- Inbuilt GPS
- 24/7 heartrate monitoring
- Fitness tracking capabilities for a range of activities
- User-friendly interface
- Bright and clear AMOLED display
What Are The Main Disadvantages?
- Only two designs to choose from
- Uses proprietary operating system
- No third party app compatibility
Competition
If you’re keen to enjoy a better Android-friendly user experience, you might want to eschew the Huawei GT in favor of one of the Wear OS operating system watches on the market at the moment. The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 4, for example, offers a lot more functionality in this respect with even better fitness tracking and compatibility with third party apps. The Samsung Galaxy Watch is another strong contender to rival the Huawei GT with its Tizen operating system, fully functioning fitness tracking and stylish good looks.
In Summary
Unless you’re a big fan of the Huawei brand, there are better smartwatches on the market right now. The switch to the brand’s own proprietary operating system means that access to third party apps is limited – a major downside for many users. While the fitness tracking functionality is good, if you want better value for money you would be advised to consider choosing a Wear OS-equipped smartwatch..
How Do We Test Smartwatches?
We’re here to help you to ensure that you’ve picked the very best smartwatch on the market today to suit your requirements and preferences. We know that everyone is looking for something different from their devices, and that’s why we test all the various elements of each smartwatch and compare them to help you make a well-informed decision.
The very first thing that we check out for you is the style and appearance of the watch. Is it good looking? Is it suitable for casual or formal wear? Is it comfortable around your wrist? Next, we take a look at how functional it really is. Can you read its display with ease? How intuitive are the controls? Is there a steep learning curve or can you simply strap on your watch and go about your usual activities without any hassle?
We check the battery life and the integrated features and functions. We test out the fitness apps, pushing them to their limit to ensure accuracy and performance. We see the effect on the performance of the watch while downloading third party apps, making and receiving calls and notifications, playing music and using the GPS system and then determine how well it stood up to expectations.
Finally, when all of this information is in place, we can put it all together to help you to decide whether or not this is the right watch for you or whether one of the other options out there would be a better alternative for your requirements.
Last Updated on July 31, 2022
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