Huawei Watch 4 Pro is the latest smartwatch that helps you track your health and fitness at an advanced level. It runs on Huawei’s proprietary HarmonyOS shell. It is compatible with both iOS and Android gadgets. The device has a premium design, a great screen with LTPO technology, and eSIM support for independent communication. In this review, we will tell you about all the features of Huawei Watch 4 Pro and share our impressions of using the new product.
Positioning in the product line and price
In recent years, Huawei has released a number of smartwatches, including the GT series (GT 3, GT 3 Pro, GT 3 SE), as well as the flagship Watch Ultimate model with support for extended immersion mode and Watch Buds with built-in headphones. However, the main series has not been updated since 2021, when the Huawei Watch 3 was released. The European launch of the Huawei Watch 4 finally took place this spring.
The new generation inherits the best features of its predecessors – superior materials, quality build, classic design and the ability to connect to an eSIM card to support multitasking. Watch 4 models have larger screens and offer more efficient power management. One of the most important new features is the Health Glance function, which allows you to test seven health parameters in 60 seconds and monitor them periodically.
As always, the new lineup includes two models – Huawei Watch 4 and Watch 4 Pro. We received the older version for a test before the official presentation in Warsaw and are ready to share our impressions!
But first, some general information about the new smartwatches. I’m sure you’re wondering how the basic Watch 4 differs from the Pro version, so here’s a comparison table:
| HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro | HUAWEI WATCH 4 |
| Titanium used in aviation | Stainless steel and tempered glass |
| Full functionality for up to 4.5 days on a single charge | Full functionality for up to 3 days on a single charge |
| New energy saving mode: up to 21 days | New energy saving mode: up to 14 days |
| Dimensions, mm 48.8×47.6×12.9 | Dimensions, mm 46.2×46.2×10.9 |
As you can see, the only differences are in materials, size, and operating time. At the same time, each model has new features, such as an updated interface, eSIM support, and seven health parameters per minute.
HUAWEI WATCH 4:
HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro:
The following versions of the watch are available for sale:
- HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro Elite: Titanium (titanium bracelet)
- HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro Classic (dark brown leather strap)
- HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro Blue Edition (blue composite strap)
- HUAWEI WATCH 4 Active (black fluorine elastomer strap)
Read also: Huawei Watch Ultimate review: Top smartwatch and competitor for Apple Watch Ultra
Technical specifications of Huawei Watch 4 and Huawei Watch 4 Pro
| HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro | HUAWEI WATCH 4 | |
| Dimensions | 48.8 × 47.6 × 12.9 mm | 46.2 × 46.2 × 10.9 mm |
| Screen | 1,5″ AMOLED LTPO (466×466 px) | |
| Weight | 65 g (without strap) | 48 g (without strap) |
| Housing material | Aviation titanium | Stainless steel 316L |
| Strap |
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| Battery | 780 mAh (Li-Pol) | 530 mAh (Li-Pol) |
| Operating hours |
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| Charging | Wireless 5-9V DC / 2A | |
| Features |
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| Health functions |
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| Sports features |
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| Protection |
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| Operating temperature | From 0°C to 35°C | |
| Connection |
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| Sensors |
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Package contents
There is little information on the sides of the Watch 4 Pro box. There is only a sticker with a serial number and some information about the model you purchased. There is a QR code at the bottom that will take you to the page with the latest version of the HUAWEI Health app. This app is required to install, configure, and use HUAWEI Watch 4 Pro.
The smartwatch is placed in a special groove that provides additional protection during transport. In addition to the Watch 4 Pro, there is a wireless charging pad, a quick start guide, safety instructions, and a warranty card inside. If you buy the version with a titanium strap, you will also receive spare links to extend the length of the bracelet.
Design
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro looks like a real expensive watch, not an electronic toy (like the Apple Watch and its analogues). It has a round case made of aviation titanium (TC4), which not only sparkles in the sun, but is also very light and durable.
TC4 titanium is often used in the aerospace industry due to its properties. It is more resistant to corrosion, three times stronger and twice as hard as the commonly used TA2 titanium.
The screen is protected by sapphire crystal. The glass protrudes above the body and is bevelled at the edges – a stylish solution. Of course, this can make the gadget more vulnerable to scratches and bumps, so the durable sapphire crystal is more than ever appropriate. I would like to note that during two weeks of testing (daily wearing, training, etc.) nothing happened to the glass, so we will continue testing.
The watch can be worn in any weather, as it is IP68 and 5 ATM dust and water resistant. This means you can swim with it in the pool or even in the sea, and it can withstand pressure at depths of up to 50 metres. It doesn’t work as a dive computer like the Watch Ultimate, but it’s a newer model and costs less.
On the right side of the case are two massive buttons for controlling the watch. The top button is a rotating crown with tactile feedback.
The device responds well to pressure and is easy to use even with wet or sweaty hands. By turning the crown, you can easily zoom in and out of maps and other graphics, scroll up and down the interface, or adjust the volume.
The bottom button can be customised in the settings menu to provide quick access to favourite apps and functions. When you tap it, a shortcut bar with three shortcuts opens. You can change them using the HUAWEI Health app.
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro is available with two different straps to choose from: titanium or leather, the first set is more expensive (although it’s also worth keeping in mind the blue model with a composite strap, I haven’t seen it in person). Both versions that I have seen look elegant and fit both casual and business outfits. The sports silicone strap only comes with the junior Watch 4 model, but if you want, you can buy it for the Pro version as well. The straps are easy to remove thanks to special telescopic fasteners, and many compatible options can be found even on AliExpress.
The design of Huawei Watch 4 Pro will delight fans of classic watches who want to get modern features without losing the traditional style. The Watch 4 Pro looks really stylish and expensive, and the watch does not cause discomfort when worn. The model is more suitable for men, while women may find it too bulky and heavy. In this case, it is worth taking a closer look at the “regular” Watch 4, because it is more compact.
It should also be noted here that, compared to the Watch 3 series, the new models are thinner, lighter, the screen bezels have shrunk, and the diagonal has increased.
Read also: HUAWEI Watch Buds review: smartwatch… with headphones inside
Huawei Watch 4 Pro screen and watch face
Huawei Watch 4 Pro’s screen is one of the device’s strongest points. It has a diagonal of 1.5 inches and a resolution of 466×466 pixels, which provides a density of 310 pixels per inch. The screen-to-body ratio is 71.72%, which is a lot.
The display of Huawei Watch 4 Pro is simply gorgeous, bright, beautiful, clear. It’s definitely one of the best screens I’ve ever seen on a smartwatch. Every element remains legible even on a sunny day.
The screen supports LTPO technology, which allows you to adjust the refresh rate from 1 to 60 Hz, depending on the content and conditions of use. This helps to conserve battery power and allow you to use the Always-on Display function without quickly losing battery power. All built-in watch faces have their own versions of Always-on. And another plus is that the user can personalise the information on the AoD screen.
You can customise the watch face of Huawei Watch 4 Pro to your liking by choosing from the many options available in the Huawei Health app. You can choose an analogue or digital watch face, with different styles and colours, health or weather information, or even a photo from your gallery.
The Watch 4 series has received a collection of brand new watch faces, even with planets! And this is real space – it looks great!
The new interactive dial is dedicated to outdoor activities.
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Software and synchronisation
Huawei Watch 4 Pro runs on HarmonyOS 3.1, an operating system developed by Huawei. HarmonyOS has a smooth and intuitive interface, similar to Apple’s reference Watch OS. The watch is compatible with iOS and Android via the Huawei Health app, which allows you to sync your health and sports data, customise watch faces, notifications, add music to your smartwatch, and more (important: apps must be downloaded from the Huawei website). It doesn’t matter if you have an iPhone or Android, the functionality doesn’t depend on it.
The software capabilities of the watch have been significantly improved compared to the previous generation. Huawei Watch 4 Pro works more smoothly, the interface has become more beautiful and well-designed.
Firstly, the watch supports 7 widget cards to choose from: weather, travel assistant or workout card. You can customise each card by selecting the appropriate components. The Quick Access Bar provides direct access to frequently used applications, the list of which can be personalised. A floating task ball makes it easy to switch between apps.
HUAWEI Assistant-TODAY helps your smartwatch learn and adapt recommendations based on your habits. These can be calendar notifications or workout plans. If you need to access these functions, simply swipe right on the watch face when prompted.
Read also: Huawei Watch GT 3 SE review: smartwatch… not just for sumo wrestlers
Equipment and communications
Huawei Watch 4 Pro works flawlessly and without any lag. The watch is equipped with a powerful Kirin A2 processor, which ensures smooth operation of the interface and applications. The model also has 2 GB of RAM, which allows you to run multiple apps simultaneously and switch between them smoothly. The internal storage is 16 GB, of which about 10 GB is available for storing music, photos or apps.
The smartwatch supports eSIM, which means that you can use it independently of your smartphone – make calls, receive notifications, use apps and the Internet. To try all this, you need to activate a special tariff from your operator and scan the QR code on the watch.
This feature is very useful. Surprisingly, even the more expensive Watch Ultimate does not support eSIM! Of course, when working with a mobile network, the smartwatch discharges faster, but the hero of the review works for a long time anyway, so this is not a problem for him. But let’s talk about the watch’s operating time later.
I would add that eSIM-enabled smartwatches can also be a good solution for children or the elderly who don’t always take their phones with them. When the watch detects that the wearer has fallen, it displays the corresponding Emergency SOS message, which you only need to touch to call the pre-configured emergency number.
Huawei Watch 4 Pro has a built-in speaker and microphone, so you can receive and make calls via Bluetooth or eSIM (without a smartphone nearby). The smartwatch can have the same phone number as your smartphone or a completely separate one (check with your operator for details and availability of the feature). Petal Maps also works independently of the smartphone, and you can use walking or cycling navigation directly on the watch.
I tried making calls through the watch and there were no problems. The sound and voice quality is good for calls in not too noisy places.
Unfortunately, Huawei smartwatches still do not have the ability to pay for purchases in stores using NFC. This is due to the sanctions imposed on the company. Recently, Huawei representatives have stated that they are looking for partners and perhaps the situation will change for the better in the near future. We are looking forward to it!
Of course, like the previous generation model, the new watch also notifies you of calls, app notifications and displays messages of up to approximately 280 characters. Text messages can be replied to using emoticons or pre-made templates, or you can simply type on the keyboard. And the latter is fine with me, because the Watch GT 3 series and – again surprisingly – the expensive Watch Ultimate do not have a keyboard.
Read also: Huawei Watch Fit 2 Review: Stylish and Hi-Tech
Sensors, health and activity monitoring
The Huawei Watch 4 and 4 Pro are equipped with a variety of sensors that track health and fitness parameters. Among them:
- An optical heart rate sensor that measures heart rate around the clock and warns of high or low heart rates
- A sensor that allows you to record an ECG and analyse the state of your heart
- Skin temperature sensor
- Blood oxygen level sensor that measures SpO2 and warns of hypoxia or apnoea
- Depth sensor, which measures water pressure and warns you about the permissible values during a dive
- Water temperature sensor
- Accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, light sensor and proximity sensor
- A barometer that tracks movement, orientation, altitude and weather.
Huawei is actively promoting its new Health at glance mode. Watch 4 Pro measures 7 different health parameters in one minute. The function includes ECG analysis, heart rate measurement, saturation measurement (SpO2), blood pressure, stress level testing, skin temperature, and a new feature – breathing monitoring.
For breathing monitoring, the smartwatch records the sound of your cough and several other indicators and checks for signs of illness based on this.
Based on 7 readings, a report on the results is generated, which you can print or share in the Health app.
You will receive data about your health in an easy-to-read format. This will allow you to detect any abnormalities in time and undergo a medical examination. And if you take regular measurements, the Health Trend feature will show you medium- and long-term changes in various indicators, including sleep duration, resting heart rate, stress level, and blood oxygen saturation. This data will help you to develop a healthy lifestyle and prevent many diseases.
And if you yourself are too lazy to analyse statistics and develop healthy habits, the watch can remind you of these necessary procedures.
The new version of the watch has improved health and activity monitoring technologies, including improved sleep monitoring.
Another great feature that I would like to mention is the Health community. Let’s say you have a family member whose health you pay special attention to. You can create a group using the HUAWEI Health app and add your parents, loved ones, or children to it, and access their daily health reports. But only if they also use the HUAWEI Health app and agree to become part of your “community”.
I would like to mention a feature of HUAWEI Watch 4 Pro that is not yet available to some users – it is about monitoring blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia). The watch can analyse ten different indicators within 60 seconds, compare the results with a database of previously recorded values, and assess the risks of the condition. Users also receive personalised advice. The feature is currently only available in China, as HUAWEI has to test and certify it in other regions.
HUAWEI WATCH 4 Pro supports more than 100 sports, including running, walking, cycling, swimming, golf, skiing, and more.
The device automatically recognises the type of activity and records data on duration, distance, speed, calories, heart rate and other metrics. After your workout, you can analyse graphs and statistics in detail both on the watch and on your smartphone.
The new Professional Golf Coaching mode records your swing data so you can significantly improve your stroke technique. The free dive mode up to 30 metres allows you to display all the important data while you are underwater. Interestingly, the smartwatch also features water temperature monitoring.
The smart run planner can accurately record your training route thanks to a dual-band, five-system GNSS positioning system. You can share your favourite running routes and get recommended routes from friends.
Another new feature of the software is the ability to use Huawei Petal cards directly on the watch.
Read also: Huawei P60 Pro review: The world’s best mobile camera again?
Operating time and charging
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro has a 450 mAh battery, which, according to the manufacturer, provides up to 4.5 days of battery life in normal use or up to 21 days in power saving mode. I can say that Huawei’s figures are true. We are looking at one of the longest-lasting smartwatches on the market.
However, the operating time largely depends on the scenario of using the gadget. If you frequently use GPS, eSIM, ECG, or other resource-intensive functions, the battery may drain in two days.
Huawei Watch 4 Pro supports wireless charging via a special cradle with a magnetic mount. It charges relatively quickly: about 40 minutes to 80% and about 80 minutes to 100%. The watch can also be charged from smartphones that support reverse wireless charging.
If you want to save battery power, you can select one of three modes in the settings: Normal, Power Saving or Ultra Power Saving. In normal mode, you can use all the functions of the watch without restrictions. In power-saving mode, the system provides access only to basic functions such as time, date, pedometer and heart rate monitor. In ultra mode, you can only see the time and date.
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Huawei Watch 4 Pro: Summary
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro is a high-end smartwatch that offers a variety of features for health and activity monitoring, as well as for communication and entertainment. The watch has a titanium case (a true premium level), a great screen with LTPO technology (refresh rate of only 1 Hz), and eSIM support. It runs on Huawei’s proprietary HarmonyOS system, which is fast, beautiful, and smooth. Watch 4 Pro also has a large amount of memory, several sensors, and support for over 100 training modes. And despite all these features, it has a long operating time.
Compared to the previous generation (Huawei Watch 3), the health and activity monitoring capabilities have been further expanded, with new features, an improved screen, enhanced performance, and a much more user-friendly software.
It’s safe to say that Huawei Watch 4 Pro is one of the best smartwatches you can buy today. It fully justifies its price thanks to its high-quality titanium construction, great design, and beautiful screen. But, of course, there are also drawbacks. The most important of them is the lack of payment options using the watch, as well as the small number of watch apps in the Huawei catalogue (this is not comparable to Google’s Android Wear or Apple’s Watch OS). Not everyone will also like the device’s impressive dimensions and its high price (but, in my opinion, it is still justified).
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