I examined the Pixel Watch 3 in opposition to this flagship smartwatch

The flagship smartwatch market within the US is crammed with choices just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 10, Google Pixel Watch 3, and plenty of extra. Nonetheless, none of those flagship smartwatches work with each ecosystems (Android and iOS). For that, you need to depend on manufacturers like Garmin and Amazfit, or in some nations, Huawei, a model that misplaced its footing within the US a number of years in the past.

I spent every week utilizing Huawei’s new Watch 5 alongside the Google Pixel Watch 3, a smartwatch I’ve grown to like over the previous yr, to search out out when you’re actually lacking out — and this is the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know.

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The Huawei Watch 5 will get the design good

Stylish, however nonetheless unmistakably a smartwatch

One of many causes I like the Pixel Watch 3 in comparison with the Apple Watch Ultra or Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is its minimal design. In contrast to these smartwatches — and even some Garmin fashions — most flagship smartwatches within the US lean right into a sporty design that screams “smartwatch” from a mile away. The Pixel Watch, nonetheless, has maintained a easy, minimal design for the reason that starting, and that is why it is lengthy been my favourite.

That was, till I picked up the Huawei Watch 5. I have been testing smartwatches for a number of years now, and I’ve by no means seen one nail the design fairly like this. The Huawei Watch 5 sticks to a conventional watch aesthetic whereas delivering all of the smartwatch options you anticipate. I’ve misplaced rely of what number of instances individuals have approached me carrying it, shocked it is a smartwatch in any respect.

As for specifics, the Huawei Watch 5 is available in a number of finishes, together with stainless-steel, aerospace-grade titanium, and ceramic for the again. Strap choices embody a steel hyperlink bracelet, a sporty black strap, and a vegan leather-based composite band — the one I am at present utilizing (proven above). It is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with 1.38-inch and 1.52-inch shows, respectively.

In the meantime, the Pixel Watch 3 is accessible in 41mm and 45mm sizes however solely gives silicone-type straps in varied colours.

A variety of the Huawei Watch 5’s design success comes right down to the show. Huawei has used a unbelievable LTPO 2.0 OLED show with 3,000 nits peak brightness (1,000 nits greater than the Pixel Watch 3). It is simply seen even in harsh out of doors lighting and helps a excessive refresh fee.

Furthermore, it is protected by a dome-shaped glass encased in stainless-steel on all sides, providing higher sturdiness in comparison with the Pixel Watch 3, whose glass stays uncovered across the edges.

Now, one among my long-standing complaints with the Pixel Watch has been its charging mechanism. Regardless of being a flagship product, it nonetheless makes use of a four-pin magnetic charging puck that connects in just one particular orientation (digital crown dealing with the cable). This is not a difficulty on the Galaxy Watch 5 or the Apple Watch, and even the Huawei Watch 5, all of which use magnetic connectors which might be stronger and work in any orientation.

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Well being monitoring feels extra full on the Huawei Watch 5

It covers all of the fundamentals — after which some

When Google took over Fitbit in 2021, I anticipated the Pixel Watch lineup would profit vastly from the acquisition and simply surpass opponents in well being monitoring — and it did, to some extent. Nonetheless, currently, it appears like that benefit is beginning to fade.

Certain, the Pixel Watch 3 tracks every kind of well being knowledge, together with sleep and nearly each exercise sort. However many superior options are locked behind Fitbit’s premium subscription, which prices almost $130 per yr within the US. That feels steep, particularly contemplating you have already got to purchase the smartwatch, and most opponents do not require a subscription for health-tracking options.

The Huawei Watch 5, alternatively, not solely covers the fundamentals however goes additional. It gives step monitoring, exercise monitoring with over 100 modes, detailed sleep monitoring, and extras like a pores and skin temperature sensor and GPS-based out of doors exercise monitoring. However the actual game-changer lies on the facet of the watch.

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The Huawei Watch 5 encompasses a new X-TAP engine, which fits one step forward when it comes to well being monitoring by including a devoted fingertip sensor proper subsequent to the digital crown. Whereas the watch nonetheless makes use of sensors on the again to measure vitals like blood oxygen ranges and coronary heart fee, this fingertip sensor permits extra correct readings, just like how docs take measurements in scientific settings.

Huawei claims the info collected by the fingertip sensor is extra correct than readings taken from the wrist sensors alone. Though in my expertise, the fingertip readings on the Watch 5 have been pretty near the readings on the Pixel Watch 3, which makes use of simply the rear sensors for vitals monitoring.

Software program is easy, even with out third-party apps

You will not actually miss the third-party retailer

Now, one of many main advantages of utilizing a Put on OS smartwatch just like the Pixel Watch 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely is entry to the Google Play Retailer and a variety of third-party apps. In distinction, the Huawei Watch 5 runs on the corporate’s personal HarmonyOS. And, as anticipated, there is not any entry to the Play Retailer (or any Google companies).

Initially, I believed this is able to be an enormous disadvantage, contemplating how reliant I’m on Google’s ecosystem. However to my shock, I did not as soon as really feel the absence of third-party apps. You possibly can technically set up apps by the Huawei AppGallery on the Watch 5, however main apps like Google Maps and YouTube Music are lacking.

When it comes to usability, although, the software program feels easy and fluid. I did not expertise any main jitters in comparison with the Pixel Watch 3. In actual fact, Put on OS has advanced right into a extra minimalistic and easy platform, whereas HarmonyOS on the Watch 5 manages an excellent steadiness between simplicity and have richness.

Navigation can also be fairly acquainted. Like on the Pixel Watch 3, a swipe down brings up fast settings like Wi-Fi, brightness, and Discover My Telephone. Swiping up reveals notifications, whereas left and proper swipes cycle by playing cards like calendar, climate, and exercise rings. General, the expertise did not really feel drastically totally different from what I am used to on the Pixel Watch 3.

Nonetheless, one vital benefit the Huawei Watch 5 has over most smartwatches is its cross-platform compatibility. It really works seamlessly with each Android and iOS. Whereas many smartwatches stay tied to their ecosystems, like how Galaxy Watches work greatest with Samsung telephones, the Watch 5 can pair with any smartphone utilizing the Huawei Well being app. This type of flexibility is one thing extra smartwatches ought to undertake.

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The Huawei Watch 5 appears like a full bundle

On the entire, I will be trustworthy — I like the Google Pixel Watch 3. The best way it integrates with my Pixel 9 Pro and the options it gives, all whereas sustaining a minimal look, make me love the Pixel Watch 3. Nonetheless, after utilizing each smartwatches facet by facet for about two weeks, I’ve to say the Huawei Watch 5 has come as near changing the Pixel Watch 3 on my wrist as another gadget ever has.

Certain, there are a number of cons concerning the Huawei Watch 5: I am not a fan of its weight, which is noticeably heavier than the Pixel Watch 3, and the battery life is not nice. However regardless of these drawbacks, I feel I’ve lastly discovered my Pixel Watch 3 substitute.

Model

Google

Coronary heart Price Monitor

Sure

Coloration Display

Sure

Notification Assist

Sure

Battery Life

24 hours with always-on show, 36 hours in battery saver mode

The Google Pixel Watch 3 builds on the earlier mannequin, introducing a brand new 45mm measurement together with the unique 41mm watch. Each choices function a bigger show with double the brightness. It gives loads of runner-centric options together with extra connectivity with Google’s ecosystem.