Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review
Last year, we already raved about the Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro. That watch combined a compact size with a fast interface and fine health features. With the Watch Fit 5 Pro, Huawei builds on that. Like its predecessor, the watch runs on HarmonyOS, so no Wear OS. Let's put the watch to use.
Design and screen
The first change that stands out is the screen. Whereas the Fit 4 Pro had a 1.82-inch display, the Fit 5 Pro goes to 1.92 inches. That sounds like a small step but in practice, you notice the difference. You have just a bit more space for your stats, notifications and watch faces. It also makes the screens look just a bit more airy.
Looking technically at the display of this watch, we are dealing with an LTPO-OLED panel that can deliver up to 3500 nits of peak brightness. In practice, the screen is bright and clearly readable, even in full sunlight.
In terms of materials, Huawei again opts for sapphire glass and a titanium finish, just like its predecessor. The watch weighs 31.6 grams without the strap, only slightly heavier than the Fit 4 Pro. On your wrist, you don't actually feel that. The Watch Fit 5 Pro is available in three different colours; black, white and orange.
In use
Like its predecessor, the Watch Fit 5 Pro navigates its menus quickly and pleasantly. HarmonyOS responds smoothly and you won't notice any hiccups anywhere when opening apps or scrolling through widgets. Many watch faces are available via the AppGallery, so there is no shortage of personalisation. Whether you want a sporty, minimalist or elaborate design, there is always something in between.
Within the same AppGallery, you can also find other applications that can be found on the watch. The amount of applications you find here is more limited than you see on Wear OS, for example.
You can respond to messages on the watch with a small keyboard. This is a feature not found on every watch. Of course, typing on such a small screen is not comparable to your phone, but for a quick reply it is fine.
One point we mentioned last year and unfortunately hasn't changed: you have to give Huawei permission to collect each measurement separately. Think heart rate, SpO2, temperature and sleep analysis, each one requires you to give your consent. For example, after a night's sleep, we find out that we hadn't yet given permission for sleep analysis. An option to allow this at once would be a lot more user-friendly.
Compared to the Fit 4 Pro, the 5 Pro offers some extras. These include a depth sensor that makes the watch suitable for diving up to 40 metres deep. In addition, like its predecessor, it features an ECG function, GPS, NFC and Bluetooth, upgraded to version 6.0 in the 5 Pro. Offline maps in colour are also back in the mix, useful for navigating while walking or cycling.
Huawei Health app
The Huawei Health app remains a strong point. The app gives you clear insight into all your metrics: from steps and exercise to heart rate, sleep and stress levels. Everything is clearly displayed in graphs and summaries. Links to platforms like Strava and Komoot are also present, nice if you want to sync your sports data.
Battery life
Huawei claims up to 10 days of battery life for the Watch Fit 5 Pro, thanks to its 471 mAh battery. In practice, the watch consumes about 12 to 15 per cent per day with our use. That works out to about six days with normal use including notifications and the occasional sports activity. If you turn on the always-on display, that will drop faster. But fair is fair, six days is more than enough for most users to get through the weekend without a charger.
Review
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro feels like a nice upgrade over the Fit 4 Pro. The larger and brighter screen is a welcome improvement and the interface is once again nice and fast. The addition of the depth sensor and Bluetooth 6.0 makes the watch more versatile, with battery life of around six days being fine in practice.
What remains a shame is the hassle around per-measurement consent. That was already a downside with its predecessor and Huawei still hasn't come up with a handy solution for this. But other than that, it is a compact and capable sports watch that you will enjoy in daily use.
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro has a recommended retail price of 299 euros and you can find it at Huawei, MediaMarkt and Coolblue.
- Bigger and brighter 1.92-inch screen
- Fast and pleasant navigation
- In practice, good battery life of around six days
- Depth sensor for diving up to 40 metres
- Lots of watch faces and personalisation
- Each reading requires separate permission for data collection
- Huawei Health app download remains cumbersome
