HUAWEI Watch GT4 hands-on: the alternative to the Apple Watch?

The HUAWEI Watch GT4 in the 41 mm women’s variant comes in silver-gold and in all gold. Huawei provided me with the gold variant once more for testing. That wasn’t necessary, because I had ordered the GT4 privately long ago, since I suspected it could be a good alternative to Samsung smartwatches and, for iPhone users, to the Apple Watch. It is fully compatible with both operating systems.

Is it really an alternative?

The answer can only be given in the best legalese: it depends.

• Yes, if you want a high-quality smartwatch that tracks sleep, workouts, heart health, stress level, body temperature, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, calorie burn, calorie intake and your cycle, that looks like a beautiful watch and not like a mini computer, that you can make calls with and that lasts seven full days.
• No, if you want a smartwatch with Apple or Google services, with fancy apps, with replies to notifications or with paying at the supermarket checkout.

I can do without Google and Apple services on my wrist. For me, the GT4 is a really lovely everyday companion.

Design and controls

The case is made of stainless steel, and it comes with a two-tone stainless steel or Milanese strap. The AMOLED display is really sharp. Controlling it by touch or with the crown on the side works 100% smoothly and quickly.

Android users can reply to notifications, for example from WhatsApp, but only with preset replies, which is completely enough for me. iPhone users can only read notifications.

Tracking, app and battery

The GT4 tracks an enormous amount and does it very accurately. For workouts, it delivers the best values for distance covered and steps, and I can monitor my heart rate continuously. Automatic workout detection only exists for running, cycling and rowing, but it works really well: after a few minutes on the treadmill, the watch asks me whether I want to start the workout.

The Huawei Health app shows the tracked data and offers a library of fitness classes, nutrition tips, breathing exercises and a food database for tracking your diet. What impresses me most is the battery: for me, it lasts a whole week. NFC, GPS and a decent microphone are on board, which lets you make calls comfortably when your smartphone isn’t within reach.

Two points of criticism

1. Bedtime or Do Not Disturb on the iPhone or Android smartphone are not synced with the watch. I forget to mute the watch in the evening, and to unmute it in the morning.
2. The linear motor is nicely strong, but the watch rattles slightly when it vibrates. I find that unpleasant, especially at this price.

Price

Verdict

For Android and Apple users alike, the HUAWEI Watch GT4 is a solid, high-performing and very high-quality alternative to the usual smartwatches, with extensive tracking and a clear app. The requirement: you have to be able to do without Google and Apple services. I can, which is why I’ll keep wearing the watch for a while longer.