Despite having some of the most cutting-edge hardware available, Huawei smartphones have had difficulty remaining popular in many nations due to the US sanctions against the Chinese manufacturer, which prevent them from fully utilizing Google software.
Given how reliant on Google services the majority of Android users are, it would be reasonable to assume that a Huawei smartwatch would be just as difficult to sell to them.
Even though it costs significantly less, Huawei's most recent flagship smartwatch is surprisingly comparable to rivals from the West, such as the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch.
Tested out the Huawei Watch GT 4 in two equally stylish configurations: a larger, more potent model with a titanium-coated stainless steel 46mm case, and a smaller, 41mm model.
No curvaceous man should hesitate to order this model, even though the manufacturer refers to the latter as the "female version."
The Huawei Health app is required to use the watch, and it can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. Due to the app's absence from the Google Play Store, it is a little more difficult for Android users.
Either use the QR code on the package to download the app, or download Huawei's App Gallery and use it to install the Health app.
Even in always-on mode, the GT 4's display is vivid and has a high contrast ratio. Nevertheless, the brightness of the Apple Watch 9 is far superior to both Huawei watch models.
The GT 4 is a fitness tracker that offers over 100 sports-specific recording modes in addition to counting steps and calories. The user's heart rate is also precisely measured by the watch.
The impressive battery life is maintained. The larger watch in our test required no charging for six days, whereas the smaller model only required recharging after five days.
Compared to the most recent Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch 2, which both stop short of the two-day mark, this is a far better option.
When it comes to the services and apps that you can access, the GT 4 also has some very significant flaws.
Since it has an NFC chip, it should be able to be checked out at the grocery store. However, due to restrictions Huawei has been subjected to by the US and other nations, neither Apple Pay nor Google Pay are compatible with the GT 4.
Additionally, the watch is incompatible with Spotify and other music streaming providers. When it comes to leaving your smartphone at home when going for a run, Google's Pixel watches allow you to download Spotify tracks and play music through your earbuds.
If you depend on other apps, you might want to see how well they integrate with Huawei's watch first.
Although the watch's low cost may help you get past these limitations, they still might be a pain.
The Huawei Watch GT 4 in large version is available for less than $350 USD. The 41mm version, which is smaller, costs slightly less than $250.
The starting price of a new Pixel Watch (US$350) or Apple Watch (US$399) is substantially higher than this, and the price goes up even further if you want cellular data on your watch.
If the cost of some smartwatches scares you, Huawei's Watch GT 4 is undoubtedly a good substitute, especially if you can live without support for a few apps.