Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro

Until recently, if an athlete wanted a reliable watch to monitor and improve his performance, he had to turn to Garmin, Polar or Suunto. But things have changed. Mobile manufacturers have realized that they have the opportunity to create watches that provide almost everything necessary for the athlete and also give that extra design and usability that still costs a little to reach the brands 100% linked to sport. And this Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro has come to raise the bar for sports smart watches. After testing it for more than a month, we can say that it more than meets expectations, at least the ones I had created for myself. Throughout this time, we have put it to the test in different scenarios and types of training: from running on asphalt on sunny days, to demanding trail running sessions in the mountains and swimming in open water. The performance of the watch has been excellent in each of these disciplines, which in my opinion, makes it an exceptional ally for athletes of all kinds, from runners to triathletes and lovers of fitness or crossfit.

With a robust yet elegant design, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro stands out, yes, for its premium aesthetics, but also for its focus on health and sport. Equipped with TruSense technology and improved GPS accuracy, this watch promises detailed and accurate tracking for those of us looking to improve our physical performance.

It is one of the best value-for-money heart rate monitors & sports watches on the market. Less than 400 for a device that helps you to reliably improve your life in terms of sports and health.

Premium design and quality materials

The first thing that strikes you about the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is its elegant and robust design. Available in two sizes, 46 mm and 42 mm, both models stand out for using premium materials, such as titanium and nanocrystalline ceramic. In our case we are testing the sports version with rubber strap. The model conveys durability and resistance, but also elevates the style of the watch, making it suitable for any occasion, from your workouts to wearing it to the office.

In our tests, the 46 mm model has been the protagonist. Despite its large size, it fits surprisingly well on the wrist and feels light, something that for me is basic especially in long workouts. The fluoroelastomer strap is comfortable and durable, perfect for running sessions, trail running or water activities. It also has IP69K protection, which means it can be submerged up to 40 meters, so you'll be able to do water sports like open water swimming for example.

One of the aspects I would like to highlight is the 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. It offers excellent brightness even outdoors, which has been a great help in our mountain outings and routes under the sun these last days of summer. In addition, the on Display will allow you to consult data at all times, without having to activate the watch constantly.

Huawei TruSense and advanced health metrics

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro incorporates the TruSense system that we already told you about in RUNNEA, a technology that improves accuracy in monitoring health and sports performance. Throughout our tests, we were able to check the accuracy of its heart rate sensor. This is something I give a much importance to, as I had many problems with other watches, including some from Huawei, to have accurate measurements. And this watch has been along with the Apple Watch Series 9, the Huawei Watch Fit 3 and the Polar Vantage v3 the ones that have done the best. For runners, trail runners or triathletes this aspect is key to better manage training zones and control the effort in real time.

Another important point is the measurement of SpO2 (blood oxygenation), a feature that most advanced devices already offer. This data is valor for monitoring your health but also for those who train at high altitudes or perform prolonged efforts. The watch measures oxygen saturation continuously and in just 15 seconds, something very useful to ensure that the body recovers well in each phase of training.

In addition, it has an electrocardiogram (ECG) function, which allows a more in-depth analysis of cardiac activity. Although this is not a substitute for a medical device, it is quite a useful tool for monitoring heart rate and detecting possible abnormalities. During our tests, we found that the ECG provides fairly accurate and detailed results (so says my family doctor with whom I shared the watch data).

Improved GPS system: Sunflower Positioning System

If there is something I would like to highlight in the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is its GPS positioning system, baptized as Sunflower Positioning System. This system improves location accuracy by up to 40% compared to previous versions. During our tests, mainly on trail running outings, we were able to check the reliability of the GPS even in areas with poor coverage, such as mountain trails or wooded areas.

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro also allows you to download routes in advance. In addition, the watch includes the TrackBack function, which guyou back to the starting point, something that for me is essential when you run in the mountains or run in cities you don't know. It also has RouteDraw, which allows you to create your own routes on the fly by drawing pictures of the final route.

For cyclists, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro I also think is a great option. The GPS system provides accurate data on distance, pace and altitude. It also allows you to connect a power meter for advanced metrics, such as pedal power.

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro for runners

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro comes loaded with advanced features for runners. One of its biggest attractions is the integrated running coach. This system allows you to measure the usual metrics such as pace, distance or calories burned, but also analyzes your running technique. Through its IMU sensor, the watch monitors parameters such as vertical oscillation, ground contact time, arm movement and balance.

During our running tests with the Huawei Watch GT 5, the watch's virtual coach provided us with technique recommendations and helped adjust our running form. It is also able to help you prepare for a race of different distances, including marathon with Artificial Intelligence and based on the evolution of your fitness. Also noteworthy is the analysis of the impact of each workout, showing the cardiac zones worked and the accumulated fatigue levels.

In trail running sessions, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro has shown that it also meets expectations. Its ability to display real-time maps and guide through pre-designed routes is one of its biggest advantages for those who enjoy exploring new terrain. It also offers trail-specific metrics, such as cumulative elevation gain and route difficulty, allowing you to better plan your training and competitions.

Multisport and over 100 training modes

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro offers more than 100 different training modes, making it a truly versatile watch for athletes of any discipline. In addition to running and cycling, it includes sports such as swimming, hiking, golf, basketball and paddle tennis. In our tests, we highlighted the accuracy of the metrics in both pool and open water.

For golf enthusiasts, the watch has a specialized mode that includes maps of more than 15,000 golf courses around the world. It also measures swing speed and ball trajectory, providing key information to improve your swing.

For those who practice fitness or crossfit, the watch offers guided training programs and the ability to record the exercises performed. In addition, the Stay Fit feature is useful for those who want to balance diet and exercise, allowing calorie tracking and calorie deficit monitoring for each session.

Sleep monitoring and general health

One of the areas in which the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro stands out the most, and which I liked the most, is in sleep monitoring. With the TruSleep system, the watch monitors the different phases of sleep (light, deep and REM) and provides a detailed analysis of the quality of rest. During our tests, the sleep data was extremely accurate, including detecting short naps or recording short awakenings during the night.

For athletes, sleep quality is critical, as it directly impacts muscle recovery and performance. The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro not only analyzes the hours slept, but also offers recommendations to improve rest. For example, it detects irregular sleep patterns (including apneas) and suggests changes to the routine to optimize recovery.

In addition, the watch includes a function for measuring arterial stiffness, which is quite useful for detecting health problems before they become more serious. And, as mentioned above, the ECG is also a key tool for those who want to monitor their cardiovascular health more closely.

Battery and autonomy: Outstanding Huawei

The autonomy of the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is undoubtedly one of its strongest points. In the 46 mm model, the battery can last up to 14 days with moderate use. In our tests, using advanced features such as GPS, continuous heart rate measurement and always-on display, we achieved about 10 days of autonomy, which I consider to be quite good compared to other devices on the market.

Charging time is also fast. In less than 15 hours, the watch is fully charged thanks to its wireless charging base. This means that even if you drain the battery during a trip, you won't need long hours of waiting to use all its functions again.

What we liked the most

Among the many qualities of the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, its versatility for different sports disciplines stands out. Its GPS accuracy, especially with the Sunflower system, is a significant advantage for runners and cyclists. The integrated running coach has also been an aspect that we have highly valued, as it offers an in-depth analysis of technique and performance.

Another highlight is the battery life. For athletes who train continuously or participate in long competitions, autonomy is crucial, and this watch does not disappoint. In addition, the sleep monitoring function and advanced health metrics make it a complete tool not only for sports performance, but also for general wellness.

Possible areas for improvement.

The lack of support for NFC payments is a drawback, especially compared to other high-end models that already include this functionality. Although at the world presentation held in Barcelona in September 2024, they assured that payments will be possible soon (we will keep you informed). Also, the app store (AppGallery) is limited compared to the options offered by other operating systems, such as WearOS or WatchOS.

We also noticed that, while the watch is compatible with iOS and Android, the experience is slightly inferior on Apple devices, where some features are restricted, such as the ability to reply to messages directly from the watch.

A near-perfect watch for athletes

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is an exceptional smart watch for athletes, especially runners, trail runners, triathletes and cyclists. With its premium design, the addition of TruSense and its advanced GPS system, it offers accurate and detailed workout tracking, as well as a complete health analysis.

If you're looking for a watch that will join you both in competitions and in your day-to-day life, and that offers advanced metrics on your physical performance and health, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is an option to consider.