The Huawei Watch Ultimate promises to be Huawei’s most advanced smartwatch to date. To find out whether that’s really true, we put the Huawei Watch Ultimate to the test.
The Apple Watch Ultra Alternative?
It’s clear that the Huawei Watch Ultimate is aiming to compete with the Apple Watch Ultra — Apple’s most rugged (and most expensive) smartwatch, built for outdoor adventurers and athletes. But can Huawei’s new Watch Ultimate match it?
Like the Apple Watch Ultra, the Watch Ultimate is available in just one size: 48.5mm. The price is significantly higher than other Huawei smartwatches, but it still doesn’t quite match the Apple Watch Ultra. While the official price hasn’t been announced yet, here’s what we expect:
- Huawei Watch Ultimate: €750
- Apple Watch Ultra: €999
- Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro: €299
Huawei Ultimate Review: Design
The Huawei Watch Ultimate takes a very different design route than the Apple Watch Ultra. Unlike Apple’s sporty, rugged look, the Watch Ultimate has a sleek and luxurious design.
The casing is made from a unique material called zircalloy, or liquid metal. It features a premium ceramic blue bezel. The casing is highly durable and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for use in salt water.
The sapphire glass is more than 2mm thick, ensuring a robust and long-lasting display. The Huawei Watch Ultimate will be available in two colour options: ‘Voyage Blue’ (silver/blue) and black. Both models come with an extended strap for wearing over a diving suit.
There’s one thing you can’t ignore about this watch: it’s very large. At 48.5mm, it’s a substantial piece to wear. It may look oversized on people with slimmer wrists, so keep that in mind before purchasing.
Huawei Watch Ultimate Review: Sports & Diving
As you might’ve guessed, the Watch Ultimate was designed with diving in mind. Its corrosion-resistant case makes it perfect for diving in salt water, and the larger rubber strap is made to be worn over a wetsuit.
The Watch Ultimate includes multiple sports modes, including a dedicated diving mode. This mode tracks your depth, distance, speed, and rate of descent. You can also input the type of water and breathing gas you’re using. Based on this data, the watch gives you safe resurfacing advice.
Huawei likely took some cues from Apple, as the Watch Ultimate also includes a unique outdoor feature called Expedition Mode. This mode tracks your stats while you're off the grid for extended periods. The dual-band GPS ensures accuracy even in remote areas.
Huawei Watch Ultimate Review: Familiar Features
Some things never change — even with the Huawei Watch Ultimate. Many features are similar to what we’ve seen before. Of course, there are over 100 sports modes to choose from.
The Watch Ultimate also includes all the key features you'd expect at this price: sleep tracking, SpO2 monitoring, and a health management system that reminds you when to take your medication or go to sleep.
However, the Huawei Watch Ultimate does not include an NFC chip, so contactless payments are not supported. It also lacks LTE connectivity, which means no mobile internet without Wi-Fi — a major drawback for a smartwatch in this price range.
Unfortunately, the ECG heart rate monitor is not yet available in the UK. It’s unclear when Huawei will activate this feature in the British market.
Huawei Watch Ultimate Review: Battery Life
All these advanced features inevitably impact battery life. Fortunately, Huawei has included a large battery to keep up with your adventures.
While no official specs have been released yet, Huawei claims that with heavy use (including GPS), the battery will last at least 8 days. Under normal use, it can last up to 14 days. A full charge takes just 60 minutes.
Huawei Watch Ultimate: Price & Release Date
The Huawei Watch Ultimate could launch at any moment. Its original release date was 3 April 2023, but that passed without an update. Based on past Huawei launches, here’s what we expect:
| Announced release date | 3 April 2023 |
| Expected release date | 26 April 2023 |
The Watch Ultimate is expected to be available in all markets, including Europe and the UK. Based on the advanced features, competitors, and Huawei’s pricing history, we estimate the price as follows:
- Huawei Watch Ultimate: €750
Huawei Watch Ultimate Review: Summary
The Huawei Watch Ultimate is the latest Apple Watch Ultra rival, expected to launch in Spring 2023. It offers a wide range of new features including advanced diving modes, Expedition Mode, and dual-band GPS.
The design is completely different from the Apple Watch Ultra. Huawei has opted for a more classic look with a zirconium case and a stylish blue or black ceramic bezel. This round smartwatch measures a hefty 48.5mm, which may be too large for slimmer wrists.
Overall, the Huawei Watch Ultimate is a fantastic new contender in the premium smartwatch space — but the final price will determine whether it truly offers value for money. What’s certain is that it will cost less than the Apple Watch Ultra.
We’re excited to offer Huawei Watch Ultimate straps soon. Keep an eye on our Huawei Watch straps collection!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the battery life of the Huawei Watch Ultimate?
The battery lasts at least 8 days with heavy use and up to 14 days with normal use. Charging to 100% takes 60 minutes.
Can I shower with my Huawei Watch?
Yes — the Huawei Watch Ultimate is designed for diving, so it can certainly handle the shower. Just make sure your strap is water-resistant too.
Is a Huawei Watch the same as an Apple Watch?
The Huawei Watch Ultimate is a competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra. While there are some overlaps, the designs are very different.
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