Huawei hasa recollective and robust historyof make excellent clothing , and its latest ( and most expensive ) mannikin is the Huawei Watch Ultimate . Simply put , it may be thebest smartwatchyou’re in peril of overlooking .
I ’ve been wear down it for a few days , and am smitten by its unique way and ease of use .
The Huawei Watch Ultimate is a whopper
In an effort to get you to part with 750 British pounds ( about $ 983 ) for a smartwatch , Huawei has shifted away from the overt adventure - style blueprint of theApple Watch Ultra 2and theSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultraand leaned into the appeal of a sumptuousness traditional lookout man . The size , anatomy , and invention wo n’t be for everyone , but if you want a smartwatch built from all the right materials and a look that laughs at niceness , this will be for you .
I ’m not a sports fan of the Huawei Watch Ultimate script on the bezel or the weird golf ball excogitation on the lobworm , but the rest of the scout successfully separates itself from other expensive smartwatches . The severely chunky case has a hew - from - a - solid - auction block solidity to it , and if weight equates to sumptuousness for you , then it ’s right on there at the peak . It is made from a fancy atomic number 40 - establish liquid metal and feels very eminent caliber , as do the three buttons on the casing . Button presses are dead dampened and the feel is up there with theTag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 , which is very high congratulations .
The ceramic bezel shines in the sparkle , but does n’t rotate . The eccentric back is also made from ceramic , and the India rubber strap on the model I ’ve been endure is pliable and comfortable , if not especially expensive - looking . Do n’t worry , though , as Huawei includes a atomic number 22 metallic element watchstrap in the box .
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The override pattern aspect is the Watch Ultimate ’s size of it . It ’s mammoth , even for someone who regularly wearsCasio G - Shock watches . The 48 millimeter case and its incorporate lugs have in mind it stretch all the fashion across my 6.5 - inch wrist , and because it ’s 13 millimeter thick , it ’s not the easiest to fall away under a manacle , either . It ’s sheer and brash and not for the shy .
Smooth startup
This is not the first Huawei smartwatch I ’ve used , but I ’m pleased to observe how much smoother the facility and signup processhas become since I last used one . You need the Huawei Health app , which is usable to download from the iOS App Store , the Samsung Galaxy App Store , and the Huawei AppGallery . Note that Google Play is not let in . This intend that if you have an Android phone , you have to source Huawei Health through the AppGallery , which intend downloading it first .
This charter just second using Huawei ’s website in Chrome , and I did n’t need to make an story or sign in to get the Health app , which really cut down the necessary time and effort . Linking the Watch Ultimate was prosperous and only required scanning a QR codification , but a software update did take about 30 minutes to install before I could use the lookout man . The picket then required access to notifications and location to operate , and everything was done . I ’ve had it plug into to aGoogle Pixel 9 Pro , and it has been impeccable .
streamline the onboarding cognitive operation hit a monumental difference of opinion to the initial ownership experience , which has become complex and thwarting over the years . It ’s great to see how Huawei has made it all very simple . I ’ve also acknowledge telling support has been dramatically improved on Android , with all messages get in instantly on the spotter . Just do n’t gestate to interact with the notification unless you ’re using a Huawei headphone . This apart , the Huawei Watch Ultimate is a pleasure from the bit you take it out of the box .
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Golf and adventure
There will be the hard-core golfer who would express mirth at the awful weather conditions in the U.K. recentlyand hit the greenness anyway . I’mnotthat golfer , so I ’ve not had the chance to try out the golf feature on the Huawei Watch Ultimate yet . It ’s an all-inclusive list , with a dedicated app that tracksboth course and the drive range , along with an AI Caddie modal value , shot distance data , and GPS - drive trend and dark-green recognition .
I have n’t been out on any expeditions either , another spectacular lineament of the Watch Ultimate . It ’s accessed using the button at the 10 o’clock mark and includes waypoint notice and a pass - back system , so you do n’t get lose on longer boost . I have used the Watch Ultimate to track a few walks , though , and the activity tracking is fast and childlike to use . Plus , it finds a GPS signal exceptionally fast .
Huawei still insist on keeping interpreter counseling spark by default option and at maximum intensity , so it shouts out things like “ workout started ” and your heart rate data during exercise . It ’s embarrassing and unnecessary , although I can see how it would be ready to hand if you ’re cycling and ca n’t easily look at your wrist joint . At all other times , though , it ’s a mean interruption . You have to look for the volume control , which is found only after pressing the button at the 2 o’clock Deutsche Mark . It also pauses the workout .
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Screen, software, and watch faces
The Huawei Watch Ultimate ’s swelled 1.5 - inch AMOLED screen is really smart and well seen outside , has a sharp 466 x 466 - pixel resolution , and is covered by sapphire crystal . The smartwatch ’s software has been refined to the head where it ’s quick to get wind and consistent to use . One suggestion is that it ’s wise to flip-flop the default watchOS - like app control grid to a list view , which make it much easier to discover apps speedily . Like most other smartwatches , you snarf the filmdom to see tile show data like the weather , your step , and quick - outset exercise picture . A swipe up shows notifications .
There ’s a immense array of well - crafted watch confront , most of which have customizable complications and various way to individualize the look , from gloss to the type of hands shown . Each face has an ambient way , so the screen is never just blank , and the rise - to - wake feature is very fast and responsive . It means the watch is never frustrative , usually depict just what you want , and you rarely find yourself stuck searching for a feature in multiple puzzling menus .
I ’m on my third day of use with all the health - tracking features enable and the always - on sieve active . I ’ve also tracked two short paseo , and the stamp battery shows 79 % remaining . I have n’t track rest as , although the Watch Ultimate is comfortable to wear , it feel awkwardly large to wear off at night . Huawei claims the battery will last between four and eight days on a single commission with these options , which seems achievable , or up to 14 days with light use .
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Don’t overlook the Watch Ultimate
Lets recap . The Huawei Watch Ultimate is made of high - quality materials and has a unequalled and fashionable design , software program that makes signified and is soft to employ , various unique features , and a battery that can last for a week between charges ( depending on your use ) . It even works with both Android and iOS . Two of the best smartwatches available today — theApple Watch Series 10and theSamsung Galaxy Watch 7 — are effectively siloed , so it ’s great to see a desirable third choice that make with everything .
The Huawei Watch Ultimate is at the extreme , expensive end of Huawei ’s all-embracing smartwatch collection , and not everyone will revalue its ample charms . I ’ve yet to attempt the latestHuawei Watch GT 5 and GT 5 Prosmartwatches , but they appear to offer most of what hold the Ultimate so near at a lower price and in several different style and sizes , so take a looking at those if the Ultimate ’s invention put you off .
But for those who have n’t get word the Huawei Watch Ultimate until now and are intrigued by a sumptuousness - urge smartwatch with substantial golf and out-of-door features , I consider you ’ve just chance upon what could be this yr ’s enceinte under - the - radar hit smartwatch .
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends