Recently, HUAWEI has been experimenting. Recently, we were surprised by the large plastic Watch GT 3 SE, but it was just a “flower”. Then came an unusual model with a cuff pressure measurement function (our review of Huawei Watch D), then Watch Buds with built-in headphones. After that, a watch with a replaceable case (WATCH GT Cyber) and the top-of-the-line Watch Ultimate model, which acts as a diving computer, were released. That’s a lot of stuff! But today we are going to talk about HUAWEI Watch Buds.
Read also: Huawei Watch GT 3 Elite review: Sporty elegance
Positioning in the product line and price
The Chinese company has never produced anything like this before. The combination of two important and necessary things, such as wireless TWS headphones and smartwatches, is both cool and unusual. In fact, HUAWEI is simply expanding its current line of smartwatches. Without adding anything to the software (the top-of-the-line Watch Ultimate model is not an example here), the company produces a variety of watches that differ in design. The approach is understandable – there is always something new on the market, and it is important to maintain and fuel interest in products.
So, in fact, if you look at the capabilities of a smartwatch, HUAWEI Watch Buds do not differ from the previously released HUAWEI Watch GT 3, GT 3 Pro, GT 3 SE. But they offer a unique user experience that no one has ever offered before – the watch contains headphones under the removable watch face cover.
The elegant watch allows you to track your activity and receive notifications from your smartphone. And you won’t forget your headphones at home when you’re charging them because they’re constantly charging inside the watch. To access the headphones, just press the button at the bottom of the watch face.
Read also: Review of Huawei Watch D with pressure measurement function
Specifications of HUAWEI Watch Buds
- Dimensions: watch – 47.0×47.50×14.99 mm, headphones – 21.8×10.3×10.3 mm
- Screen: AMOLED 1.43 inches, 466×466 pixels (326 PPI)
- Weight: watch – 66.5 g (without strap), one headphone – 4 g
- Charging: wireless
- Materials: stainless steel watch case frame, leather strap
- Microphone and speaker: not in the watch, in the headphones
- Sensors: 6-axis inertial sensors (acceleration sensor and gyroscope), optical heart rate sensor 5.0, optical ambient sensor, Hall effect sensor, capacitive sensor and bone conduction component (VACC)
- OS support: Android 7.0, iOS 9.0 and later
- Training: over 80 types, TruSport 5.0 training analysis
- Measurements: heart rate (TruSeen 5), sleep analysis, blood oxygen saturation
- Data transmission: Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, NFC
- Memory: 2 GB for music
- Battery life: watch – 7 days in power saving mode and about 3 days when charging headphones, headphones – 3 hours with ANC, 4 hours without ANC, about 2-2.5 hours of phone calls + charging in the watch case
- Water resistance: none for the watch, IP54 for the headphones (protection against water drops and splashes)
- Sound: A2DP, AAC, SBC, L2HC codecs up to 320 kB/s, volume up to 104 dB, frequencies from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, ANC (active noise cancellation) support, noise-cancelling microphones for conversations
Package contents
In the kit you will find a watch with a strap, an instruction manual, a wireless charger (a round “tablet” with a USB-C cable, you need your own adapter), silicone tips in sizes S/L (size M is already on the headphones).
Design
It is worth saying right away that the watch is large (47 mm case, 15 mm thick). It is unlikely that a woman would choose it; it looks huge on a woman’s hand.
However, it’s not too big – competitors’ models like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro at 45 mm or the Apple Watch Ultra in a 49 mm case with a thickness of 14.40 mm are not small either, and Huawei’s brainchild doesn’t look like a monster next to them. But the huge watches of competitors do not have headphones inside, while Huawei does. The weight of the watch is also slightly higher than that of its predecessors like the GT 3 Pro, but it is not noticeable.
The case of the watch is steel, the screen is protected by a sloping tempered glass with scratch protection and an excellent oleophobic (fingerprint-proof) coating. The rounded shape of the screen is convenient – the gadget does not cling to the sleeves of clothes, for example.
The included strap is made of leather, 22 mm wide and can be adjusted from 140 to 210 mm in length. The strap is attached to standard telescope needles, so it can be replaced with any other suitable width, there is a huge selection on AliExpress.
A non-expert user would not even guess that this is an unusual device – a watch and a clock, a large one, as is fashionable nowadays.
But there is a small button with a rough structure under the screen on the user’s side. When you press it, the dial rises and you see small headphones that are firmly held in place by magnets. It is worth noting that it is almost impossible to open the dial by accident; this did not happen during the two weeks of the test.
On the side of the watch there’s a classic-looking button that opens the menu and accesses the desktop. It rotates, but scrolling does not lead to menu movements, as in the Huawei Watch GT 3 series. There is no second key, which is usual for watches from the Chinese manufacturer. Usually, it is responsible for a quick call to a workout or other function, but everything can be launched using the touch screen, so it’s not critical.
On the back, there are TruSeen 5 heart rate and activity sensors, standard for Huawei watches.
Unfortunately, the watch has a difficult situation with moisture protection, all because of the opening case. There is no certification, the manufacturer only says that they are not afraid of accidental splashes of water.
The headphones are IP54 protected (again, only against splashes, sweat and light rain). Huawei Watch Buds should not be used for bathing or swimming. If you get your watch or headphones wet, it’s best to wipe them dry immediately. The watch will even display a notification about it.
In some reviews, I’ve seen information that the watch is protected to the highest IPx7 standard (allowing even short-term immersion under water), but the official website does not have such information, so it’s better not to take any risks. Moreover, damage caused by water ingress is not covered by the warranty.
Let’s look at the headphones. They are tiny (22×10×10 mm), the size of a fingernail, made of plastic with metal inserts. These inserts allow them to be held securely in the watch case.
There is no need to be afraid of losing these “babies” because you can start searching for them – from your watch or in the smartphone app.
The case lid opens wide enough to allow you to remove the headphones without any problems. If you suddenly forget to close it, a reminder will appear. The manufacturer says that the lid can withstand 100,000 open-close cycles, so the gadget will last for a long time.
The headphones look more like earplugs, they have no “legs” and are almost invisible in the ears. Both earbuds are identical, there is no division into right and left (although for some reason the watch cover says L and R), so you can place them in your ears as you wish.
Based on the movements and tilts of your head, the headphones will understand which side is which and correctly adjust the right and left audio channels, Adaptive Identification technology is responsible for this, everything works clearly.
As for comfort in the ears, it’s a personal matter, everyone has different ears. Personally, I find classic earbuds in a streamlined case more comfortable. Watch Buds made my ears tired, and I had to take them out from time to time to rest. I can also assume that due to the shape, which does not adapt to the shape of the ear, some people may fall out of the headphones. Well, the manufacturer made a compromise – it’s impossible to make conventional headphones and still fit them into a watch case.
Read also: Huawei Watch GT 3 Elegant review: Smartwatch with HarmonyOS on board
HUAWEI Watch Buds screen
As we have already said, the watch is large. But it also has a large screen – you can see everything clearly on it without having to peer at it. The diagonal is 1.43 inches, the resolution is 466×466, everything is the same as in the other Watch and Watch GT series, there is nothing to stop at. The AMOLED matrix, the image is bright (even on a sunny day), juicy, and of perfect quality.
The pictures are smooth and there is no graininess. The automatic brightness control works perfectly.
The menu is easy to use on the large screen – you won’t miss the desired item. Especially after a fitness bracelet with a small display, this watch makes a huge difference!
Hardware
HUAWEI does not publish data on the processor and RAM in its watches, apparently, it does not consider it important, plus nothing changes there, there is nothing to brag about. In general, the watch works quickly, smoothly, without delays.
HUAWEI Watch Buds have 2 GB of internal memory. You can download your favourite tracks to them using the mobile app and, for example, go jogging without a smartphone, wearing wireless headphones.
There is no version with cellular support. There’s no Wi-Fi either, and the Bluetooth version is 5.2. There is NFC, but it’s useless – you can’t use Huawei Watch for contactless payments.
The watch doesn’t have a microphone or speaker, so you won’t be able to receive calls on it as a headset. But you can use the built-in headphones for this purpose, which is even more convenient than talking on the speakerphone.
When you receive a call on your phone, just open the watch cover and put on at least one earpiece – the call will be answered automatically.
Read also: Huawei Watch GT 3 SE review: smartwatch… not just for sumo wrestlers
Connecting HUAWEI Watch Buds
The good news is that you don’t need to connect each part of the “kit” separately. Both the watch and headphones are connected to your phone at the same time through the Huawei Health app. Both devices are set up in this application.
All the usual options for watches are available in the app, as well as a new section for headphones – operating modes, sound effects, gestures (in fact, everything is the same as in the AI Life app that works with other wireless headphones from the manufacturer). In the app, you can also check which size of silicone tips is right for you, and launch a headphone search.
The headphones do not necessarily need to be connected to the same smartphone as the watch (although this was a limitation in the first versions of the software, so it is mentioned in some reviews). You can use them separately and connect them to a TV or laptop, for example. In the settings, you can choose whether the headphones should play music from your watch, smartphone, or other Bluetooth device.
To put the headphones in pairing mode, either select the appropriate option from the watch menu (if the headphones are removed) or (if inside the case) open the watch cover and hold the side button for two seconds.
Based on the test results, I can say that the headphones are paired with the smartphone stably, without any interruptions or delays. As for connecting to other devices, I didn’t always succeed the first time, and once I even had to reset the settings. But I think these are software bugs that will be fixed in updates.
Read also: Huawei Watch Fit 2 Review: Stylish and Hi-Tech
Huawei Health app
HUAWEI Watch Buds connects to your phone using the Huawei Health app, which we’ve known for a long time. It allows you to update the software, install additional software and watch faces on the watch, monitor the information collected by the sensors (heart rate, sleep quality, etc.), set up notifications and quick replies to messages.
Do not try to download the app from Google or Apple directories, as it has not been updated there for a long time. It’s better to download it from the manufacturer’s official website or simply scan the QR code on the watch box (or from the watch itself when you switch it on for the first time).
Let’s not dwell on the app in detail, as nothing has changed since the previous versions. Let us show you some screenshots:
Software
And here everything is the same as in the HUAWEI watch we tested earlier – HarmonyOS version 3.0. Therefore, we will not describe the software, you can get acquainted with it on the example of Huawei Watch GT 3 SE. Let’s just say that Huawei has a great operating system – smooth, with a user-friendly and beautiful interface, and wide capabilities.
Вибір циферблатів також величезний, у застосунку для телефону можна знайти варіанти на будь-який смак, навіть платні.
There is also an Always on Display mode. However, I don’t think this function is necessary (why does the watch need to show the time all the time, even when I’m not looking at it?), especially in a gadget that also shares its charge with headphones.
Read also: Huawei Watch 3 Pro review: premium smartwatch running HarmonyOS
Headphone sound quality
Let’s spend some more time on the headphones. They sound surprisingly good for such “babies”. The volume is sufficient, the sound is clear, surround, and even the bass is pleasantly perceptible. Yes, we are clearly not looking at the top-of-the-line FreeBuds Pro 2, but the sound is decent, on par with FreeBuds 5i. If you want, you can adjust the sound in the settings, for example, add more bass or make your voice clearer.
Huawei did not forget to provide the headphones with a premium active noise cancellation function. It is useful for those who often travel by transport or plane, or work in a noisy office. The quality of noise cancellation is on par with FreeBuds 5i – effective, but not perfect. But at least ANC copes well with monotonous low-frequency noise.
Since there is ANC, there is also a transparency mode (Huawei calls it awareness) – when the headphones deprive you of the effect of earplugs and make surrounding sounds clearly audible. This is useful when you need to have a quick word with the cashier, for example, or when it’s important not to miss an announcement at the train station.
Read also: HUAWEI FreeBuds 5i headphones Review: comfortable, stylish and affordable
Headphone control
The headphones are so tiny, you may wonder if they are easy to operate. Huawei has thought of everything here, too. The earbuds read the vibrations of the ear, so you can touch not only them but the entire auricle.
For example, you can answer a call by double-tapping your ear. The same gesture is responsible for pausing music.
Triple-tapping the earbud or earbud activates noise cancellation, transparent and normal modes in turn. All control commands are available in the app and can be reconfigured if desired. For example, you can activate gestures to switch tracks.
It’s a shame that there’s no gesture to adjust the volume so you don’t have to reach for your smartphone. But the watch itself will help you change the volume.
Does this unusual control work well? If you touch the headphones themselves, it’s perfect. As for the ear, it depends, but I can’t call the control clear, because touches are not always readable. It is best to touch the ear as close to the headphones as possible.
I should note that there is an auto-pause function, that is, when you take the headphones out of your ears, playback is paused, and when you put them back on, it starts again.
You can also control the headphones directly from the watch in the quick settings curtain. Here you can see their charge (but it is more convenient to display this data on the watch face), find lost “ears”, and turn the “noise canceller” on or off.
Read also: HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 TWS Earphones Review: Love At First Touch
Watch experience and functions
Here, again, you can read our detailed review of the Watch GT 3 SE. There is almost nothing different. Except that the GT 3 SE has more than 100 training modes, and the Watch Buds has 80+ modes. And all because you can’t get them wet, swimming modes are not supported.
You can create individual training plans, a virtual running coach, goal setting, automatic activity recognition, and more. During training, a lot of useful information is available, and afterwards you can analyse it and look at statistics. There is also GPS to track your workouts on a map. It’s not the most advanced dual-band module, as in the Watch GT 3 series, but it works well – there were no problems during the tests.
HUAWEI Watch Buds are equipped with various health monitoring functions. The heart rate sensor monitors heart rate, and you can also activate continuous blood saturation measurement. There is also automatic measurement of sleep parameters (TruSleep 3.0 system) and stress levels. There are no advanced functions such as skin temperature or ECG measurement, but not everyone needs it, you must admit.
Battery life of HUAWEI Watch Buds
According to the manufacturer, the watch can live up to 3 days with headphone charging, and if this function is turned off, it will last up to 7 days. Of course, in practice, it all depends on how you use the gadget: how often you train, whether you activate GPS, how many notifications you receive, how often you listen to music or talk on the phone through headphones, or whether you use AoD. So it’s definitely difficult to say, everything is individual.
I work out every day, I don’t talk on the phone much, I don’t listen to music very often, but I listen to audiobooks or podcasts for 1-3 hours every day. My watch lost about 30% of its charge per day, which gives it about three days of operation. In my opinion, this is excellent for such a device. After all, there are smartwatches without headphones that need recharging every day!
The headphones last up to four hours on a single charge – not a record, but acceptable for such “babies”. If you turn on ANC, the operating time is reduced to three hours. During conversations – about 2.5 hours without ANC and about 2 hours with noise cancellation.
Since I love audiobooks, I often used the headphones one at a time while the other was charging in the watch. This way, you can significantly (or rather, exactly double) increase their lifespan. But this “life hack” is, of course, not for music.
The headphones are fully charged in the watch case very quickly, in 30-40 minutes. But the watch itself with the headphones inside takes about two hours to fully charge. I should add that when the watch’s charge drops to 10%, it stops charging the headphones.
The watch is charged by a wireless charging tablet, and you can also recharge it, for example, from smartphones that support Qi reverse charging.
I’d like to note here once again that HUAWEI Watch Buds have a number of dials that constantly show the charge of the headphones – convenient!
Read also: Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 Review: The Promised MacBook Killer?
Conclusions
HUAWEI Watch Buds is a unique device that has no analogues on the market. Therefore, some imperfections can be forgiven! First of all, we are looking at a device that combines two devices – a smartwatch (phone notifications, advanced activity tracking, health monitoring) and wireless headphones (phone calls, listening to music, audiobooks). You don’t need to have separate headphones, charge them separately, and you won’t forget them somewhere. Both useful devices are connected into one.
At the same time, it cannot be said that the watch and headphones have suffered much as a result of the “combo”. I expected to see a very uncomfortable watch and primitive headphones, but everything is on par. The headphones produce high-quality sound, support ANC, and are highly customisable. And the watch is big, but not too big, and quite comfortable to wear (although more likely for men). In addition, it has a gorgeous large screen and user-friendly, advanced software.
Among the disadvantages is the non-standard shape of the headphones, which will not suit everyone. The battery life of both the headphones and the watch is not as long as that of other Huawei devices, but again, this is forgivable for our “combo”. The functionality of the watch is somewhat reduced: the GPS module is simpler, there is no compass and barometer, no version with eSIM, a few fewer types of training (due to the lack of swimming modes), no microphone for answering calls (but the headphones can be quickly removed from the case and put on). And yet, the watch is massive, not suitable for everyone.
The only really serious drawback of HUAWEI Watch Buds, in my opinion, is the lack of moisture protection for the watch case. Many smartwatch users are used to having the gadget on their wrists, so they’re not afraid to get it very wet, and they can go to the shower, swimming pool, etc. without taking the watch off. Watch Buds will have to be protected from water, which is inconvenient.
Otherwise, HUAWEI traditionally offers a device in a premium design with excellent build quality. And… at a childish price. In Ukraine, Watch Buds is priced at about $650. Whereas the excellent HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro smartwatch with features like body temperature, vascular stiffness, and ECG can be purchased for around $450. There are, of course, cheaper models, such as the Watch GT 3 for ~$250 or the GT 3 SE from ~$150.
And comfortable headphones with ANC Huawei FreeBuds 5i cost $93. In total, the maximum price for the watch and headphones set is $543, but you can also invest in $245. This is a considerable overpayment for an all-in-one device. But if you need something like this, then, again, there are no analogues.
What do you think about such an unusual device as Huawei Watch Buds? Let us know in the comments!
Read alsо:
- Xiaomi Watch S1 review: is the brand’s most expensive smartwatch going to surprise us?
- Moto 360 3rd gen smartwatch review: long term experience and positioning