I tested the Pixel Watch 3 against 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 plenty of extra. Nevertheless, 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 international locations, Huawei, a model that misplaced its footing within the US a couple of years in the past.

I spent per 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 should you’re actually lacking out — and this is the whole lot it is advisable know.

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The Huawei Watch 5 will get the design excellent

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. 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, nevertheless, 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 couple 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 depend of what number of occasions folks have approached me sporting 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 the moment 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 on the market in 41mm and 45mm sizes however solely affords silicone-type straps in numerous colours.

A variety of the Huawei Watch 5’s design success comes all the way 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 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 larger sturdiness in comparison with the Pixel Watch 3, whose glass stays uncovered across the edges.

Now, one in every of 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 can 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 enormously from the acquisition and simply surpass opponents in well being monitoring — and it did, to some extent. Nevertheless, these days, it appears like that benefit is beginning to fade.

Positive, the Pixel Watch 3 tracks all types of well being knowledge, together with sleep and virtually each exercise kind. 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 affords 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 facet of the watch.

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The Huawei Watch 5 contains 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, much like how medical doctors take measurements in medical settings.

Huawei claims the info collected by means 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 no entry to the Play Retailer (or any Google providers).

Initially, I believed this may 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 may technically set up apps by means of 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 developed right into a extra minimalistic and easy platform, whereas HarmonyOS on the Watch 5 manages steadiness 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 means of playing cards like calendar, climate, and exercise rings. Total, the expertise did not really feel drastically completely different from what I am used to on the Pixel Watch 3.

Nevertheless, 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 finest 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 trustworthy — I like the Google Pixel Watch 3. The way in which it integrates with my Pixel 9 Pro and the options it affords, all whereas sustaining a minimal look, make me love the Pixel Watch 3. Nevertheless, 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.

Positive, there are a couple 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 alternative.

Model

Google

Coronary heart Fee Monitor

Sure

Shade 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 function a bigger show with double the brightness. It affords loads of runner-centric options together with extra connectivity with Google’s ecosystem.