Overview
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Outstanding battery longevity
- Wide range of sports tracking functionalities
- Brilliant display quality
- More affordable compared to other Ultra smartwatch options
Cons
- Available in a single case size only
- Additional watch faces incur extra charges
- No cellular connectivity available
Our Verdict
The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro exemplifies an impressive addition to the GT line, especially appealing to sports enthusiasts who prioritize value and battery endurance.
Price When Reviewed: Information not available for the US market
Today’s Best Pricing: Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro
The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro is the latest member of Huawei’s mid-range smartwatch family, showcasing refined design aesthetics.
This model stands out as a more capable alternative to the less expensive Watch Fit while incorporating features similar to the Huawei Watch and the Watch Ultimate, but at a more reasonable price point.
This iteration of the GT series targets outdoor enthusiasts, integrating enhanced functionalities tailored for runners, cyclists, golfers, and skiers.
Furthermore, the device boasts an upgrade in battery life alongside new features aimed at users keen on mental wellness instead of merely focusing on performance metrics.
The Watch GT 5 Pro was praised for its aesthetics and functionality; the GT 6 Pro aims to deliver even more.
Design & Build Quality
- Now offered in just one case size
- Options for three types of straps
- Water-resistant up to 40 meters
The Watch GT 6 Pro follows closely in design to the Watch GT 5 Pro, which is a positive aspect.
One significant change is the introduction of a single 46mm case size, eliminating the previously available smaller 42mm option.
Huawei retains an octagonal case design to deliver a unique appearance.
Photo by Mike Sawh
With a 46mm size, it exceeds the largest variant of the Google Pixel Watch (45mm) and matches the size of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic.
Huawei continues to offer an octagonal case to ensure a distinctive look. However, the all-black version paired with a standard fluoroelastomer strap may not stand out remarkably.
In contrast, the all-titanium model or the updated version with a woven strap certainly shines. Overall, it’s a well-constructed smartwatch, neither excessively bulky nor too slim, made from substantial titanium alloy for a rugged feel.
Photo by Mike Sawh
Two physical buttons are located on the right side of the watch. The top button functions as a digital crown for scrolling through menus, while the bottom button provides quick access to available sports modes.
Huawei maintains its water resistance capabilities, allowing the Watch GT 6 Pro to be submerged in water up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and safe for recreational diving.
While the design of the GT 6 Pro may not be radically different from its predecessor, it remains a highly comfortable smartwatch to wear.
Display & Audio Features
- Larger AMOLED screen compared to Watch 5 Pro
- Peak brightness of up to 3000 nits
- Bluetooth functionality for calls only
Although the GT 6 Pro design hasn’t shifted dramatically, the display quality has seen improvements.
A larger 1.47-inch AMOLED screen replaces the previous 1.43-inch version found in the 46mm Watch 5 Pro.
This means a 5.5% increase in display size and a substantial upgrade in brightness, boosting peak nits from 1,200 to an impressive 3,000, enhancing visibility in bright outdoor environments.
Even at lower brightness levels, the watch remains easy to read in various lighting conditions.
Photo by Mike Sawh
Huawei skillfully minimizes the black bezel while maintaining expansive screen real estate, allowing watch faces and menus to spread across comfortably.
Known for sharp displays, the GT 6 Pro continues this trend—improved brightness aside, it remains easy to glance at in various lighting conditions.
Protected by sapphire glass, often used in more rugged outdoor smartwatches, the display resists scratches and remains intact through testing.
Issuing calls is feasible only through Bluetooth while connected to your smartphone. For cellular connectivity, the Huawei Watch 5 is the alternative if you’re looking for that feature.
The onboard speaker and microphone provide a robust system for managing calls with strong clarity and volume during phone interactions.
Software & Features
- Operates on HarmonyOS 6.0
- Introduction of video watch faces
- Customizable watch face options
The software experience remains consistent with previous GT series watches, powered by the latest HarmonyOS version.
I found it responsive while paired primarily with a Samsung smartphone, despite occasional software updates that disrupted the experience.
Photo by Mike Sawh
The interface allows for intuitive navigation through swipe gestures for quick access to different features. The main menu can display in a list or Huawei’s unique hexagonal grid layout.
This grid helps quickly access features such as managing Bluetooth calls, monitoring notifications, controlling music playback, and uploading music files through the Huawei Health app.
While Huawei Wallet exists, payment card functionality is not available in the UK at present.
Huawei excels compared to other smartwatch manufacturers by offering an expansive variety of features.
Photo by Mike Sawh
The Huawei AppGallery facilitates access to various apps, but users might find the selection lacking in prominent titles available on leading platforms like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Apps such as unofficial Spotify controllers and fitness applications like Fitify Workouts enhance the experience, but ultimately, the ecosystem can be likened to that found in Amazfit’s offerings, which lacks the polish and robustness of more established app stores.
Regarding watch faces, Huawei provides an impressive array of custom options; there’s a selection of preloaded faces that offer an inventive variety and the new option for video watch faces.
While there is a watch face store, many designs require payment, unless you opt into a VIP membership costing £4.99 monthly or £49.99 annually. The value of that subscription for most users is questionable.
The GT 6 Pro significantly appeals to individuals passionate about cycling, running, golfing, or skiing.
Fitness Tracking Features
- Advanced metrics for cycling, trail running, golf, and skiing
- Improved GPS functionality
- Enhanced emotional well-being tracking
Huawei’s focus has shifted towards enhancing outdoor and sports functionalities with added health features making a notable presence in the GT 6 Pro.
Features are tailored for enthusiasts involved in cycling, running, golf, and skiing, with new health monitoring innovations complementing the primary performance capabilities.
Photo by Mike Sawh
For cyclists, the watch introduces a virtual cycling power meter and compatibility with external power meters, speedometers, and cadence sensors. A new sensor measures gradient for hilly terrain and includes an FTP test to assess cycling fitness.
Automatic cycling detection is also enhanced, featuring a fall detection mode capable of triggering an SOS alert, promising a 90% accuracy rating for fall detection. While not directly tested by me, these updates for cyclists seem to mirror Apple’s recent efforts in improving their smartwatch functionalities for cycling enthusiasts.
From a running perspective, the GT 6 Pro boasts upgraded GPS accuracy through enhanced antenna architecture and improved positioning algorithms, offering a 20% increase in signal accuracy compared to the GT 5 Pro.
Using it in conjunction with the Garmin Forerunner 970, noted for its GPS accuracy, the results showed the GT 6 Pro delivered dependable metrics on pace and distance displayed smoothly.
Photo by Mike Sawh
There are also improved functionalities for trail runners, notably with more seamless route imports from the third-party app, Komoot, increasing the capacity for stored routes to 50. However, the future impact of this integration remains uncertain following Komoot’s acquisition.
Enhancements extend to tracking in golf and skiing as well, offering a better user interface and richer data outputs.
The watch provides comprehensive capabilities for monitoring various aspects of well-being.
Photo by Mike Sawh
Apart from sports tracking, health functionality covers emotional assessment through the onboard TruSense optical sensors. It can identify emotional states, from relaxed to highly anxious, correlating well with my real-life emotions during testing.
In addition, existing features like heart rate tracking, ECG, skin temperature, SpO2, and accurate sleep monitoring abound for well-being enthusiasts.
Battery Duration & Charging
- Up to 21 days under light usage
- 14 days with typical use
- GPS performance offers up to 40 hours of usage
Huawei smartwatches have consistently shown impressive battery endurance, and the GT 6 Pro continues this legacy.
Under light use, users should expect up to 21 days, an improvement from 14 days in daily usage with the previous model. For typical usage, the battery lasts around 14 days, significantly up from the 9-day average of the GT 5 Pro. While Huawei has not specified battery life for always-on display mode, testing indicates it lasts nearly a week.
Photo by Mike Sawh
The GT 6 Pro’s battery life is commendable, with diminishing levels of battery typically dropping only a few percent with raise-to-wake features. In always-on mode, it dropped closer to 15%, amounting to around six days of operation.
In terms of GPS usage, Huawei claims a maximum of 40 hours; during extended GPS sessions, the battery reduced by 4% per hour, indicating solid performance in this category.
These figures are impressive, significantly outperforming competitors like Apple, Samsung, and Google.
When battery levels start to dip, a robust proprietary charging cradle is necessary, magnetically affixing to the back. Charging time from 0-100% takes about 1.5 hours, a slight increase from the charging duration of the GT 5 Pro. Considering diminished charging frequency, this remains a reasonable trade-off.
Pricing & Availability
The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro was officially launched on September 19, alongside the Watch GT 6.
The starting price is set at £359.99, with additional costs varying by version (e.g., the all-metal variant). An introductory offer also provides a £30 discount.
In contrast, the base price for the Watch GT 5 Pro was £279, representing a price increase yet remaining quite economical compared to premium Ultra models from other brands.
Purchases can be made through Huawei or retail partners like Amazon.
In comparison to other notable smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 11 is priced at £399, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 from £319, and the Google Pixel Watch 4 starts at £349.
Hence, it’s priced lower than several flagship smartwatches, despite a slight rise compared to the previous GT Pro.
Currently, the watches are unavailable in the U.S.
For further recommendations, check our curated list of the best smartwatches.
Should You Consider Purchasing the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro?
The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro stands out as a great option for both Android and iPhone users, especially if you prioritize long battery life alongside a comprehensive suite of health and fitness features for under £500.
Current owners of the Watch GT 5 Pro may not find it necessary to upgrade, as that model still represents a compelling all-encompassing alternative, particularly now that it might be more affordably priced.
Photo by Mike Sawh
Overall, while the GT 6 Pro is not necessarily superior to its similarly priced competitors, its strong focus on tracking features alongside core smartwatch functionalities marks it as a notable option in the current market.
Technical Specifications
- 1.47-inch AMOLED display
- Peak brightness of 3,000 nits
- Heart rate, ECG, skin temperature, and SpO2 sensors
- Sapphire glass protection
- Compatible with both Android and iOS
- Dual-frequency GPS capabilities
- Battery life of up to 21 days
