I examined the Pixel Watch 3 towards this flagship smartwatch

The flagship smartwatch market within the US is full of choices just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 10, Google Pixel Watch 3, and lots of extra. Nonetheless, none of those flagship smartwatches work with each ecosystems (Android and iOS). For that, it’s important 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 in the event you’re actually lacking out — and here is every thing you want to know.

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The Huawei Watch 5 will get the design excellent

Elegant, however nonetheless unmistakably a smartwatch

One of many causes I really like the Pixel Watch 3 in comparison with the Apple Watch Ultra or Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is its minimal design. Not like 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 because the 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 occasions individuals have approached me carrying it, stunned 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 embrace a metallic 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 offered in 41mm and 45mm sizes however solely gives silicone-type straps in numerous colours.

Loads of the Huawei Watch 5’s design success comes right down to the show. Huawei has used a improbable 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 outside lighting and helps a excessive refresh price.

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 going through the cable). This is not a problem 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, recently, it appears like that benefit is beginning to fade.

Positive, the Pixel Watch 3 tracks all types of well being information, 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, however, 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 outside exercise monitoring. However the true game-changer lies on the aspect of the watch.

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The Huawei Watch 5 includes a new X-TAP engine, which works one step forward by way of 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 price, this fingertip sensor permits extra correct readings, just like how docs take measurements in medical settings.

Huawei claims the info collected by way of 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 providers).

Initially, I assumed this might be a giant 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 way of the Huawei AppGallery on the Watch 5, however main apps like Google Maps and YouTube Music are lacking.

By way of usability, although, the software program feels easy and fluid. I did not expertise any main jitters in comparison with the Pixel Watch 3. In truth, Put on OS has developed right into a extra minimalistic and easy platform, whereas HarmonyOS on the Watch 5 manages a great stability between simplicity and have richness.

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

Nonetheless, one important 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 sort of flexibility is one thing extra smartwatches ought to undertake.

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The Huawei Watch 5 appears like a full package deal

On the entire, I will be sincere — I really like the Google Pixel Watch 3. The way in which 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 aspect by aspect 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 some other gadget ever has.

Positive, 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 believe I’ve lastly discovered my Pixel Watch 3 substitute.

Model

Google

Coronary heart Fee Monitor

Sure

Colour Display screen

Sure

Notification Help

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 dimension together with the unique 41mm watch. Each choices characteristic a bigger show with double the brightness. It gives loads of runner-centric options together with extra connectivity with Google’s ecosystem.