New Watch GT joined by dinkier Huawei Watch Fit mini
Update: You can now read our Huawei Watch GT 3 full review – and get our definitive verdict.
Huawei is swelling its smartwatch ranks with arrival of the Huawei Watch GT 3, which joins its budget smartwatch range.
It joins the flagship Huawei Watch 3, which was launched earlier this year.
Like the Watch 3, the Watch GT 3 comes running on Huawei’s Harmony OS, which will give you the new-look grid launcher and access to its AppGallery app store to download third party apps.
Like the Watch GT 2, which launched back in 2019, the GT 3 comes in 46mm and 42mm case sizes with the 46mm packing a 1.43-inch, 466×466 resolution AMOLED screen.
It weighs 42.6g and measures in at 11mm thick. The smaller 42mm model features a 1.32-inch AMOLED screen, weighing in at 35g and comes in slimmer at 10.2mm thick.
Huawei Watch GT 3 key features
- 42mm and 46mm sizes
- Runs on Harmony OS
- Works with Android and iOS
- Huawei TrueSeen 5.0 heart rate sensor
- Dual-Band GNSS positioning for outdoor tracking
- 100+ workout modes
- AI running coach
- Up to 2 weeks battery life
- 5ATM waterproof rating
That means there’s a slight jump in weight on the GT2 in both sizes, but you’re getting a bump in screen size and resolution.
Huawei is bringing over the haptic crown from the Huawei Watch 3 to the GT 3 and has upgraded the TruSeen optical heart rate sensor to deliver more accurate readings.
The number of lights used in the sensor has jumped up, the case has been tweaked to mould more to the wrist to improve accuracy, and it’s updated the algorithms used to get the light signals to generate heart rate readings.
Huawei says it’s managed 96% accuracy against an ECG-based Polar H10 chest strap monitor.
A lot of what was on previous Huawei watches has remained. There’s over 100 sports modes and it can still monitor stress (Android only), track sleep and steps, continuously monitor SpO2, send abnormal heart rate alerts and features women’s cycle tracking too.
It’s introducing a new ‘Healthy Living Clover’, which is basically a new screen a bit like a take on Apple’s Rings to display exercise, lifestyle and sleep progress. It will also dish out daily lifestyle tips to remind you to refuel, relax and hydrate regularly.
Smartwatch features include notification support, Bluetooth calling and a music player with storage space for up to 500 songs.
Huawei is bolstering things on the outdoor tracking accuracy front, bringing the dual-band five-system GNSS technology it included on its Huawei Watch 3 Pro.
This brings support for GPS, Galileo, Beidou, GLONASS and QZSS satellite systems to improve tracking and it’s also improving anti-interference performance.
It’s also offering simple route back and route sharing navigation features when you’re out adventuring and exploring.
To give it added appeal for runners, Huawei is introducing personal training plans and an AI coach, which can monitor the intensity of your training offering feedback and predict race times based on that training progress.
It’s also adding run-centric insights including condition updates, VO2 Max, a running ability index scoring intensity of run training along with aerobic/anaerobic training effect and recovery insights.
In terms of battery, you can expect up to 14 days in typical usage and 8 days in heavy usage with the 46mm Watch GT3. The 42mm GT 3 promises up to 7 days in typical usage and just 4 days in heavy usage. That matches what was offered on the GT 2.
The Huawei Watch GT 3 is available to preorder now and is on sale from 10 November priced at £229.99 (roughly $315) for the 46mm version and £209.99 (around $288) for the 42mm GT3.
The Huawei Watch GT 2 launched at £179 for the 42mm option and £199 for the 46mm model, which means it’s a significant jump up in price. It is over £100 cheaper than the Huawei Watch 3, where things like LTE connectivity and more high grade design materials seem to be key reasons it comes in a little pricier.
As yet, there doesn’t seem to be any US pricing listed by Huawei for the GT 3, which seems likely to be tied to the continuing sanctions in place on the company.
In addition to the Watch GT 3, Huawei also announced the Huawei Watch Fit mini as another version of its fitness tracker/smartwatch hybrid. The mini will come in two looks with both offering 96 workout modes, heart rate monitoring, SpO2 monitoring, female cycle tracking and smartwatch features like music controls and notifications. It will also deliver two weeks of battery life.
The Huawei Watch Fit mini launches on the same day as the GT 3 and comes in priced at £89.99.
We’ll be getting both of the new Huawei wearables in soon to put them through their paces.