Beautiful and affordable: Huawei presents the new Watch GT4

Lorenz Keller

15.9.2023

Translation: machine translated

It goes without saying that the new Huawei Watch GT4 is packed with technology. However, the design takes centre stage - and it comes in many different versions. A first impression of the new smartwatch.

On official press photos, an Apple Watch also looks really fancy. Only when you put it on your wrist do you see the whole truth: the most popular smartwatch may be technically perfect for iPhone fans, but visually it has been equally unexciting for years.

The new Huawei Watch GT4 certainly won't bore you. There are variants for every taste: a large watch with a 46-millimetre case in seven colour variants, and a smaller one with a 41-millimetre case in three colours. We had a quick look at the watch in person after the keynote in Barcelona - and therefore provide you with pictures and videos for a first impression.

I can already spoil this much: the design really is the highlight of the GT4. Let's start with the larger version. It has a much more solid and sporty look. The round bezel is framed by an octagonal case. A beautiful detail.

From the octagonal case to the Milanese strap

We took a closer look at some of the many colour variants of the large version: The green smartwatch, for example, comes with a stainless steel case and a woven strap. The special feature here is that the upper semicircle around the screen is coloured green, while the rest is silver. The strap made of recycled textile and plastic is also an eye-catcher. It's a shame that the fabric is only applied to the strap; you can feel the plastic on your skin.

The GT4 has a classic look with its titanium-coated stainless steel case and matching stainless steel strap. The matt colour is discreet, but looks very high-quality. Similarly discreet is the GT4 with a smaller 41-millimetre dial, which is also available with a stainless steel case and matching stainless steel bracelet. In this case, however, it is shiny.

What is also noticeable on the wrist: Although it has a smaller diameter and is also significantly thinner, the watch is not really that small. And if you choose the stainless steel case in a gold colour, you will stand out again. Regardless of whether the watch is then combined with a white leather strap or the filigree Milanaise.

Affordable prices, but familiar limitations

The larger GT4 starts at prices from around 250 francs or euros. The most expensive variant with stainless steel all round costs 350 francs or euros. The smaller GT4 is also available from 250 francs or euros. The version with a Milanaise bracelet costs 300 francs or euros, while the piano-look design costs 400 francs or euros.

One of the biggest criticisms from the tested Huawei Watch 4 Pro was that this version is too expensive. Especially in view of the software limitations.

I can't argue away these limitations with the Watch GT4 either. The watch is noticeably less deeply integrated into the system than smartwatches with an Android operating system (not to mention the Apple Watch and iPhone).

Instead, you have to integrate it via the Huawei Health app, where you can also find watch faces and additional apps. Everything is a little more complicated if you don't have a Huawei mobile but another Android smartphone. Certain applications such as wireless payment are also completely missing in Switzerland.

And many details require a little more of your own employees: for example, Huawei advertises 25,000 watch faces in its own store. But you have to work your way through the junk before you can find really nice, functional designs.

But: The GT4 is significantly cheaper than the Watch 4 Pro. You can cope with such limitations more easily.

The new GT4 even helps you lose weight

At least the Chinese manufacturer is making an effort to offer a wide range of functions installed as standard. Huawei is investing heavily in the area of health and fitness in particular - tracking and measurement options were already well developed on the predecessor

Now the manufacturer has further refined several health management functions. The TruSeen heart rate measurement is based on a new algorithm that improves the signal. Heart rate measurements are said to be 30 per cent more accurate, especially during dynamic activities such as jogging or jumping rope.

TruSleep now also measures breathing during sleep and alerts users to any irregularities. Users can also better measure and record their menstrual cycle. With additional data entered, the system learns and should be able to predict the next period more and more accurately.

In the area of fitness, Huawei has expanded tracking to over 100 sports, with football and padel being added. The GT4 also has newly designed activity rings to motivate you with medals when you achieve your goals.

A brand new weight loss app called Stay Fit. Here you can record how many calories you eat and see in real time what you have already consumed. This gives you weight management recommendations based on your habits.

What's inside the smart watch

The larger watch has a 1.43-inch Amoled screen, while the smaller watch has a 1.32-inch screen. Both have a resolution of 466 by 466 pixels. The difference in battery life is more significant than the display size: the larger watch with a 524 mAh battery lasts twice as long as the smaller watch with a 323 mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, it is 8 to 14 days instead of 4 to 7 days.

All new smartwatches are water-resistant to 5 ATM and protected against dust and moisture in accordance with the iP68 standard. This means you can go swimming with the watch (in fresh water), for example. The large version with a 46 millimetre case also has a new integrated GPS receiver that accesses five satellite systems to determine its position. According to the manufacturer, localisation is therefore 20 per cent more precise than with its predecessors.

If all this is not enough exclusive design for you, Huawei is now also offering a special version of the Watch Ultimate. Because it has been embellished with 18-carat gold applications, it costs 3,000 francs or euros. It is therefore unlikely to end up in our stores. Instead, the GT4 is coming in October. It is at least as beautiful, but above all affordable.

Lorenz Keller

Senior Editor

Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.ch

Gadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.