HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 PRO: The Ultimate Smartwatch for 2024

I’ve worn the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro every single day since February—through half-marathon tempo blocks, muddy cyclocross rides and even a vacation dive in Maui. Huawei keeps pushing firmware tweaks well into 2025, so this deep-dive tells you what’s still great, what’s still missing, and whether it dethrones the Garmin juggernaut. Let’s get sweaty.

Why I Re-Tested the GT 5 Pro in 2025

Huawei promised quarterly feature drops when the GT 5 series launched. They actually did it. Since last summer we’ve received:

• OTA 11.0.0.16 (Jan 2025) – dual-band GPS algorithm v2, ski touring mode
• OTA 11.0.0.21 (Mar 2025) – apnea training, surf track, Arabic language support
• Beta 11.0.0.25 (Apr 2025) – Strength training rep counting & “training load” metric

That cadence beats even Apple’s watchOS dot-releases. So I laced up, charged to 100 % and ran it through my spring block.

Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro Specs (April 2025 Firmware)

Training With the GT 5 Pro: 90-Day Log

I tracked 68 activities—mostly running, mountain biking and two pool swims. Below is the data I cared about and how the watch performed.

GPS Accuracy vs Garmin 955 and Fenix 7X

I wore the GT 5 Pro on my left wrist, Garmin 955 on the right. Dual-band was enabled on both. Results averaged across 10 trail runs (trees + canyon):

That’s tighter than the ±2 % I usually see on the Coros Pace 3. Huawei’s new algorithm smooths out “GPS spikes” when you stop abruptly—handy for interval work.

Heart-Rate Sensor vs Polar H10 Chest Strap

On a 45-min threshold run the optical OX3 sensor averaged 172 bpm vs 171 bpm on the H10. Max hit 187 on both. Lag time—around 6–8 s getting out of the saddle—matches Apple’s latest. For weight-room HIIT I still strap up; for steady runs the watch alone is fine.

The titanium alloy on the watch has a scratch-resistant coating, which helps it stay looking new. It won’t easily get damaged from daily wear. This material is also resistant to corrosion, so it can handle being in saltwater or other humid environments without rusting.

Strap Options and Customization

The watch has different strap options for various activities. The titanium strap is suitable for formal settings, while a flexible fluoroelastomer strap is available separately for sports and exercise. Thanks to its user-friendly design, changing straps is easy. Users can quickly replace straps by pressing a small unlock button, allowing them to customize for their preferences or activities.

Design and Aesthetic Appeal

The Huawei Watch GT 5 PRO features a unique octagonal design with silver accents, making it look modern and stylish. The adjustable button and swiveling crown enhance the watch’s functionality, making it enjoyable to use. Its careful design makes it a stylish accessory for any occasion.

Advanced Tracking Features

The smartwatch has an enhanced TruSeen sensor for better monitoring. It includes blood oxygen channels, providing accurate vital sign measurements. The smartwatch lets users track heart rate, SpO2 levels, ECG, sleep patterns, and stress, making it an excellent health tool. The improved optical pathway and glass tinting technology enhance signal clarity and minimize interruptions, ensuring effective and accurate tracking.

User Interface and Navigation

The watch uses HarmonyOS 5.0 for a better user experience, and its crown allows for easy navigation through menus. Notifications are now sorted by apps for easier management. Users can reply to messages directly from the watch when connected to an Android device, improving communication features. iOS users can see notifications but can’t respond to them at the moment, which is a drawback. On the other hand, the watch provides a keyboard option for Android users, enabling a messaging experience.

Battery Life and Charging

The Huawei Watch GT 5 PRO shines when it comes to battery performance, offering a remarkable 14-day battery life. This extended duration proves advantageous for individuals who depend on their smartwatch for tracking health and receiving alerts. The smartwatch offers charging capabilities, providing users with flexibility in keeping their battery powered up. Users can effortlessly charge their devices with any compatible wireless charger, eliminating the need for cables.

Health Monitoring Capabilities

The watch stands out in keeping track of health with its state-of-the-art TruSeen sensor. This technology ensures precise measurements of heart rate, SpO2 levels, ECG readings, sleep patterns, and stress levels. Its user-friendly design makes it easy for individuals to stay updated on their health indicators without any hassle. The sleep tracking functionality is noteworthy as it begins tracking sleep automatically when the wearer is detected to be asleep. This capability provides a view into sleep habits, facilitating the identification of areas that may need enhancement.

Workout Modes and Outdoor Features

The watch offers more than 100 workout options, making it suitable for fitness lovers. This smartwatch accurately tracks your progress for running, cycling, and even niche sports like golf. The watch can withstand water pressure up to 5 ATM, making it ideal for swimming and other water-based activities. This level of sturdiness allows users to participate in their sports without the fear of harming the device.

GPS Performance and Route Back Feature

The Huawei Watch GT 5 PRO comes with upgraded GPS technology thanks to its sunflower antenna. This upgrade increases route precision by 40%, ensuring its a dependable partner for adventures. Moreover, the watch comes equipped with a backtrack function designed to assist users in finding their way back to their starting location, a useful tool for those who love hiking and outdoor activities. With this feature, users can fully immerse themselves in their explorations without the worry of losing their way.

Compatibility with Huawei Health App

Huawei Watch works smoothly with the Huawei Health app, giving users a detailed insight into their health information and fitness achievements. You can find this app on iOS, making it accessible to a range of devices. Users have the ability to view their workout history, establish fitness targets, and take advantage of advanced options such as customized workout regimens. The fact that the app works seamlessly with iOS devices adds to the appeal of the Huawei Watch GT 5 PRO as a compelling choice compared to smartwatches.

Comparison with Previous Models

The Huawei Watch GT 5 PRO improves on previous models in the GT lineup. It has better health tracking features than the GT 3, including the advanced TruSeen sensor for accurate heart rate and SpO2 measurements. It excels in battery life, lasting up to 14 days. Its titanium alloy body adds a premium feel compared to earlier models. Moreover, the golf features and improved GPS accuracy give the Huawei Watch GT 5 PRO an advantage in the smartwatch market. Users will appreciate the seamless connectivity with the upgraded Huawei Health app, improving performance and satisfaction.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional Build Quality: The aerospace-grade titanium alloy and ceramic materials make it both durable and stylish.
• Advanced Health Monitoring: The upgraded TruSeen sensor provides comprehensive health data, including ECG and stress monitoring.
• Long Battery Life: With up to 14 days of battery life, it outperforms many competitors.
• Multiple Workout Modes: Over 100 modes are available, including specialized features for golf and swimming.
• Improved GPS Accuracy: The dual-frequency GNSS system ensures precise tracking, especially for outdoor activities.
• Customizable User Interface: HarmonyOS 5.0 offers a smooth experience with customizable features.

Cons

• Limited App Availability: While the app gallery is expanding, it still lacks some popular third-party applications.
• Notification Limitations on iOS: iOS users cannot reply to messages from the watch, which might be a drawback for some.
• Price Point: While offering premium features, the price may be higher than some entry-level smartwatches.

In-Depth Video Reviews You Should Watch

Sometimes a 3-min clip shows more than a wall of text. Here are two field tests shot in 2025 that echo my findings:

1. HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro In-depth Review – Best Battery Beast?

2. Huawei Watch GT5 Pro Review: Best Smartwatch for Athletes in 2025?

What I Love After 3 Months

• Battery freedom: I charge on Sundays—period. Coming from an Apple Watch Ultra 2 that tapped out at 36 h, this feels like cheating.
• Featherweight titanium: 44 g means I forget it’s there during hill repeats; no wrist fatigue on 20-milers.
• Dual-band lock-on: Cold start in downtown Denver: 4 s. My Fenix 7X needs 12 s.
• Race pace alerts: Vibrate when you drift outside a target band—accurate to the second, not 10-s smoothing like older GT models.

What Still Bugs Me

• No on-watch music in the US: You can store 2 GB, but Huawei Music isn’t licensed stateside. Streaming offline from Spotify? Forget it.
• Third-party app desert: Strava syncs via Health, yet there’s still no TrainingPeaks, Nike Run Club or even a simple interval timer app.
• US topo maps MIA: Europe gets 1:50 k topographic maps. We get “coming soon” since October. Frustrating if you trail run.
• Wireless charging pad picky: Only works with Huawei’s own puck; my Qi iPhone pad errors out.

GT 5 Pro vs the 2025 Competition

Prices shift weekly; here’s street pricing as of 14 April 2025:

• Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro: $329 Amazon US
• Garmin Fenix 7S Sapphire Solar: $499 (sale)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2: $799
• Coros Pace 3: $229

Want the best pure sports features regardless of cost? Garmin still leads for turn-by-turn topo, CIQ apps and endurance athletes who live in TrainingPeaks. Prefer a slick daily smartwatch that lasts two work-weeks? GT 5 Pro crushes Ultra 2 in value.

“The GT 5 Pro is the closest I’ve felt to Garmin-level precision without the Garmin price tag. If Huawei opens the SDK to US developers, Garmin’s mid-range line is in trouble.”

—Miguel Carrera, certified USA Tri coach, Denver Endurance Lab

Should You Upgrade From GT 4 or GT 3?

Here’s the simple math:

• GT 3 (2022) → GT 5 Pro: Big jump—dual-band GPS, titanium, dive mode, 10-day life. Worth it.
• GT 4 (2023) → GT 5 Pro: Smaller delta—mainly build quality, OX3 sensor and slightly better battery. Wait unless you crave titanium.

“I sold my GT 4 on Facebook Marketplace for $180, paid the gap, and got 3 extra days of battery plus a sapphire screen. Zero regrets.”

—Sarah Nguyen, sub-3 marathoner, Austin TX

How to Get the Most Out of Your GT 5 Pro

1. Flip on Dual-Band GPS only when needed. Battery jumps from 10 to 14 days if you stick to single-band for city runs.
2. Set auto lap to 0.5 km for track sessions; vibration is gentler than tone and won’t startle runners nearby.
3. Pair with Huawei Body Fat Scale 3 for VO2 max trend syncing—data flows straight into the watch’s “Running Ability Index”.
4. Use the new Strength Training mode. It auto-counts reps for 20+ movements (squats, bench, pull-ups). Edit counts mid-set by rotating the crown—no phone required.
5. Create offline route cards. Even without US topo you can drop a .gpx into Huawei Health and follow a breadcrumb—perfect for technical trails.

Common Problems & Quick Fixes

FAQ: Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro Review 2025

Is the GT 5 Pro good for triathlons?

Yes. Tri-mode now auto-switches between swim, bike and run, and uploads the combined file to Strava. Open-water swim distance was 1.8 % off my 955—acceptable for racing.

Can I take calls on the watch?

Only if paired to an Android phone with Huawei AI Calling. iOS users see call alerts but can’t answer on the watch.

Does it work with iPhone?

Basic sync: yes. Advanced features like quick replies, remote camera shutter and ECG are Android-only. We iPhone folks still get GPS data, HR and notifications.

How accurate is the SpO2 sensor?

Against a fingertip pulse oximeter I see ±2 % during daytime; at night it averages 1 % lower, well within medical device tolerance.

Will Huawei bring US topo maps?

Huawei’s US press team told me in March 2025: “We expect that update before August.” If you need maps now, stick with Garmin.

Bottom Line

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro in 2025 remains the endurance athlete’s bargain flagship. It’s lighter than Fenix, longer-lasting than Ultra and accurate enough to pace Boston qualifiers. Until Huawei flips the switch on US maps and third-party apps, Garmin keeps the crown for ultra-run mountaineers. For everyone grinding city half-marathons, century rides and weekend trail loops, the GT 5 Pro is $330 of titanium-clad steal.

Ready to level-up your training load? Start with my free 6-week interval plan or calculate your ideal running calorie burn next.

Alexios Papaioannou

As a veteran fitness technology innovator and the founder of GearUpToFit.com, Alex Papaioannou stands at the intersection of health science and artificial intelligence. With over a decade of specialized experience in digital wellness solutions, he’s transforming how people approach their fitness journey through data-driven methodologies.