Review: Huawei Watch GT4 Smartwatch – Beautiful!

About ten years ago, we entered the era of the smartwatch. While it was initially dismissed as a gadget, many of us have become accustomed to technology in our daily lives. Whether reading notifications, listening to music, tracking workouts and sleep, or simply recording your steps, it has become as ubiquitous as many other modern technologies. Huawei entered the smartwatch scene behind a few top competitors at the time, but quickly built up a loyal base, mainly thanks to its good looks. With its fourth iteration, the Huawei Watch GT4 aims to regain some of the market share it lost over the past two years, since its last release.

I've had the privilege of testing the majority of Huawei Watch brand smartwatches over the years – at least one per generation. Although the naming convention doesn't make it easy to distinguish between the different versions, the distinction between the standard range and the GT range is obvious. With the previous iteration, GT3, releasing in late 2021, there has been a lot of movement in this space. How has the equipment manufacturer adapted to the release of the Watch GT4?

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Conception and design

The Huawei Watch series has always been a very aesthetically pleasing device. Whatever the device, it has attracted the attention of onlookers, often impressed by the realism of its analog dials. Its large 1.43-inch AMOLED display is the highlight of the device from a design perspective, with everything else built around the screen. The AMOLED display has a resolution of 466x466px and a pixel density of 326ppi.

The Huawei Watch GT4 is available in two versions. There is a 46mm version and a 41mm version. In addition to these variations, each of them also offers a few design options. As a result, you have seven units that you can purchase out of the box, with the customization possibilities expanded even further when you add the option to change the straps. The main difference between the 46mm and 41mm variants is that the former offers a wider base with larger buttons, giving it a more rugged and aggressive appearance overall. The 41mm option has a more subtle design, with a more feminine approach.

In terms of dimensions, the 46mm device measures 46 x 46 x 10.9mm, while the 41mm device measures 41.3 x 41.3 x 98mm. Additionally, the units weigh 48 and 37 grams, respectively. Having received the 46mm variant for review, its 48g weight is noticeable at first as I've switched daily drivers to a much lighter model. However, you'll get used to it quickly, and it feels noticeably empty when removed.

As with previous versions, the GT4 features a glass screen, plastic back, and stainless steel frame for most models. On the other hand, two 41mm models feature gold frames, giving the whole thing a more premium aesthetic. Additionally, the smartwatch is rated 5ATM, which allows it to be used in water. In its simplest version, users can be sure that there will be no problem tracking activities such as running in the rain and swimming (in a pool or in the sea). Although the device can withstand water pressure of up to 50m, it is not recommended to use it for diving, this reference being more of a guide.

Overall, the design and build of the Watch GT4 remains a top priority for Huawei, which is evident with its latest smartwatch. The device clearly stands out from other OEMs and immediately makes a good impression wherever you go.

Huawei Watch GT4 Fitness and Features

One of the other important aspects of the Huawei smartwatch line is its ability to track as many sports and activities as possible. At the heart of this range are 20 easily selectable workouts so you can choose and start your workout or event. Additionally, you can customize non-standard workouts to increase the range of options to over 100 workouts and activities. This is a fairly comprehensive list, taking into account a large number of movements, intervals, etc.

Then there are all the trackers and sensors you need. The list includes all the standard options, but adds a few that aren't as common in order to create a more comprehensive tool for your health. The list includes accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2 and thermometer (to monitor body temperature). This latest sensor now tells you if you're too hot or detects changes that might tell you if you're getting the flu or a fever. This is more of a guide for users to take preventive measures, but it is always best to seek the advice of a medical professional.

When it comes to connectivity, the Huawei Watch GT4 uses Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, and LE. It is paired with your smartphone to provide you with live daily information. The device uses a combination of GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO and QZSS for location. This is an impressive list for such a small device, which we often take for granted.

The Huawei Health app provides advice or reports through the GT4, depending on the time of day. Most helpful are incentives to move throughout the day and regular morning updates on nighttime sleep patterns. This is a detailed report on your sleep, giving you a score, as many other brands do, but adds suggestions and options for improving your sleep habits, at no extra cost to you. this function. Huawei has dubbed TruSleep 5.5+ a combination of sensors, including heart rate monitor and ECG readers, to provide precise tracking. This includes your body temperature during the night and your blood oxygen levels SpO2 to assess deep sleep and stress. I can't conclude on the accuracy of these readings compared to professional-grade equipment, but it's a useful tool to start tracking sleep if you have issues with daily sleep.

One of the notable exclusions of the Huawei Watch GT4 is a recurring omission: the lack of cellular connectivity. Unlike many other smartwatches that offer standalone capabilities with SIM or eSIM connectivity, the GT4 is still lacking in this department, relying exclusively on pairing with your smartphone to set up and use as an everyday device.

While the Watch GT4 includes Huawei Payment as an option, it limits users to adding other third-party wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet. Therefore, users may be deterred from using this feature, as it is not very attractive to sign up for another mobile wallet. Huawei's bans in the US and UK are still in effect, impacting the Watch GT4 ecosystem, with AppGalley being the source of apps on the device, with limited results.

For those who want Vitality integration, Huawei still has the option to integrate it with the Discovery app. This allows you to track your workouts and update Discovery with the required stats in order to earn points towards your weekly goal,

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Performance and battery life

The overall performance of the Huawei Watch GT4 is, in summary, exceptional. It is easy to use while offering a host of functions that are easily accessible and easy to use. With a few shortcuts, I could easily select a workout and get going without much hassle. It also takes your routine into account, keeping your most used workouts at the top of the list to make things more accessible.

Going for a run outdoors establishes the GPS connection relatively quickly compared to other trackers I've used, so there's no wait time to start running. As you progress, you receive frequent updates, including 1km updates, your intensity levels, and how you compare to your smart companion. The companion also updates over time, so you don't stagnate in your progress to improve your daily performance.

I've always had a love/hate relationship with Huawei's active reporting. With the Huawei Watch GT4, there are multiple reminders and reports throughout the day to keep you engaged in the cause. These reminders are relatively discreet, supplemented by a simple vibration notification. However, his voice report is much less attractive during an activity. While the information is helpful, especially when running, the loud voice isn't always welcome. This was particularly evident during a few indoor 5-a-side football matches, where the watch loudly reported every 1km traveled, much to the surprise and then annoyance of a few other players.

That said, the tracking is accurate and gives a host of stats including distance, heart rate, intensity, recovery time and more. Previously, I found that the amount of information could be overwhelming for some, especially when there is some of it you don't understand. Updates to the Huawei Health app have made it easier to read these reports without the need to decipher them. The app's suggestions are also very helpful in improving your overall performance without having to sign up for additional programs, as is often the case with other trackers. At the same time, you should not rely entirely on the information provided, but rather use it as a guide.

Huawei maintains its autonomy of two weeks on average charge, as with previous devices in the range. This average load is typical of the watch's general functions with the addition of a few timers, notifications and the like. However, when you add daily tracking, like outdoor running, which uses GPS, the battery life can be cut in half to a seven-day cycle. For the most part, during the period under review, I did a mix of running, sports and other activities for about five days a week, which allowed me to achieve a range of seven days. This matches many other devices I've used, including the latest Fitbit line. However, given the full list of features and active trackers, the battery has to process a lot more data, which makes it all the more impressive.

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Is the Huawei Watch GT4 worth it?

The Huawei Watch GT4 is an impressive looking smartwatch. Its appearance represents a rather heavy burden for the brand, while the list of its features significantly increases opinion. It adds many new daily tracking options to inform users of their immediate health and plans to set long-term goals for a more comprehensive health device.

The base price is Rs 6,999 and rises to Rs 9,999 for the highest model, the 41mm stainless steel option. Pricing aligns with offerings from other OEMs, allowing users to choose based on preference rather than price. However, given its limitations on third-party apps and customizations, as well as its limited payment options, it may not be the most comprehensive smartwatch that buyers are looking for.