Huawei Watch review

There's a lot to like about the Huawei Watch, but it's by no means perfect. Here are our final thoughts on the device.

We liked

I really like the premium design of the Huawei Watch, it's understated, sophisticated and wouldn't look out of place underneath a dinner jacket. The materials they've used feel great as well, with a solid build and soft touch leather. 

Of course, design is always subjective, and some in the office think the watch looks too bland.

Where the Huawei Watch really stands out is with hardware, the processor and memory were the best around, and the screen was one of the best I'd seen on a smartwatch. The AMOLED is bright, sharp and delivers strong colours. All these aspects are less impressive now, but it still competes with the latest wearables.

Android Wear is also worth shouting about, Google's OS has come on leaps and bounds since the Huawei Watch launched, with more polished UI navigation and new features. These updates aren't exclusive to the Huawei Watch, but it's a positive trend if you're considering an Android Wear smartwatch.

We disliked

Those premium materials and top specs come at a price, literally. The Huawei Watch launched as the most expensive Android Wear smartwatch at £299 (US$349.99, around AU$549). 

That was a tough sell considering all Android Wear smartwatches had exactly the same functionality, including the Sony Smartwatch 3, which can be picked up for £130 (around US$170, AU$230).

However, now it's a lot cheaper it's worth thinking about this watch if you want a stylish entry into the Android Wear system.

Battery life is also a bit of an issue, as with most smartwatches. While around two days is on par with most Android Wear smartwatches, it's still not ideal.

There are no size options for the Huawei Watch, which is a shame if you've got small wrists, and the customisation options lack taste.

Needless to say, if you're looking for a GPS running watch replacement, this isn't it. The watch doesn't feature GPS, and it just looks a bit too posh to take jogging in the park.

Verdict

The Huawei Watch is one of the better smartwatches in the market, but then again it should be, because it was also one of the most expensive at launch.

The extra money does mean you get more premium materials, build, and specs. There's no question the circular screen is still very impressive.

Android Wear improved a lot, but it's identical on all devices, so that price isn't really buying you any more functionality.

It's a 'nice' addition that the current crop of Android Wear watches are now compatible with iPhone, although functionality is limited, and you're better off with either an Apple Watch, or getting an Android phone.

If you're not sure about Android Wear, and want to test the waters first, there are cheaper options available with the same functionality and, in the case of the Moto 360, a remarkably similar look. And if you're fully sold on the OS then there are newer, arguably better models available.

But the Huawei Watch is no longer the pricey option it once was, making it a decent middle ground.

There are plenty of strong alternatives to the Huawei Watch, such as the following three.

Huawei Watch 2

The Huawei Watch 2 is a newer, more feature-packed and more expensive alternative to the original Huawei Watch, but it’s not an improvement in every sense.

The design is less premium and in our review we noted that the experience isn’t that user-friendly and the battery life isn’t great.

Still, it retains the circular screen, ups the pixel density even higher and adds GPS, NFC and optionally even LTE into the mix, so if you want a wearable that can do it all this is worth considering.

• Read our full Huawei Watch 2 review

Moto 360 (2015)

The Moto 360 (2015) has been out a while, and like the Huawei Watch it’s far more affordable than it once was. It’s also got a circular screen (though one with a flat tire).

Still, it’s otherwise among the better-looking Android Wear smartwatches and it comes in multiple sizes, which the Huawei Watch doesn’t.

The specs are much the same as the Huawei Watch though, so unless you want a smaller size or find this for substantially less money the Huawei is probably a better buy, since it has a fully circular screen.

• Read our full Moto 360 (2015) review

LG Watch Style

The LG Watch Style is a newer competitor, but the price is kept down thanks to the absence of extras like GPS, which means you can pick it up for not too much more than Huawei’s wearable.

The Watch Style is also a slimmer, sleeker device, and like the Huawei Watch it has a fully circular screen, though as with so many smartwatches the battery life is mediocre.

• Read our full LG Watch Style review