Huawei Watch 5 test: This is how good the Chinese smartwatch heavyweight is for bikers
Jan Timmermann
· 26.06.2025
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Even at first glance, the Huawei Watch 5 impressively clear why Chinese tech products have conquered the world. The brand new smartwatch is attractively priced compared to the competition and is packed to the brim with the latest functions of smart wearables.
It is also - in the eyes of the author - really stylish. So is it a superior product? In our test, we wanted to find out whether this marvel on the wrist is also a good choice for mountain bikers. We were able to elicit many strengths from the Huawei Watch 5, but also a few weaknesses.
State-of-the-art health tracking
Exciting for athletes and users with a high level of activity: the many health functions of the Huawei Watch 5. A particular highlight is the so-called X-Tap health sensor, which enables up to ten health data readouts at once by placing your fingertip on it. In addition to a blood oxygen measurement (SpO2), this also includes an ECG measurement for the early detection of heart problems and a PPG function for detecting volume changes in blood vessels.
The innovative quick health check takes just three seconds. Via eSIM, the Huawei Watch 5 can also be used to make calls and navigate completely independently of the smartphone. For example, smart gestures allow you to answer a call by tapping your index finger and thumb together. Your own music or the self-timer of a mobile phone camera can also be controlled contactlessly using gestures. In standard mode, Huawei promises up to four and a half days of battery life for the model with a 46 millimetre display diameter.
Tried and tested: How the Huawei Watch 5 feels to wear
No question: the product designers at Huawei know their craft. Depending on the configuration variant, the Watch 5 comes with a titanium material certified for aerospace applications or with a stainless steel case. The various options thus land between 449 and 469 euros >> available here.
The appearance of the new smartwatch is impeccable in any case. With a high-quality finish and quick to set up with the Huawei Health app, the wearable experience is immediately fun. Compared to the equally new Huawei Watchfit 4 Pro, however, the 46-millimetre version of the Watch 5 is quite a striking device. Whether you can tolerate the bulky body and the high weight of 91 grams (including wristband) on your wrist is something you should try out.
People with narrow wrists may therefore be better off with the smaller 42-millimetre option. The smartwatch from Huawei can be charged wirelessly by placing it on a charging cradle that is included in the scope of delivery, although this is attached to a cable. The device must always be carried when travelling, as there is no USBC alternative or similar.
Unlike its little sister, the Huawei Watch 5 on a round display. Thanks to spherical sapphire glass, this has a kind of wide-angle effect, making the display appear particularly generous. Here too: The elegant and visually appealing way in which the icons glide across the display is simply a joy to use.
The touch function is great even when wearing gloves, and the controls are quickly learnt. You could easily do without the rotary wheel on the side. However, this add-on is very practical when zooming in map mode. Depending on the incidence of light, the futuristic display unfortunately tends to reflect. The rubber strap on our test watch was comfortable and easy to care for. The Huawei Watch 5 can be ordered with many different straps.
Training control with the new smartwatch from Huawei
Although Huawei has preset over 100 types of exercise, the Watch 5 only distinguishes between indoor and outdoor cycling ex works, but not, for example, road cycling and mountain biking. With a clear and well-functioning heart rate monitor, the Chinese smartwatch easily fulfils one of the most sought-after criteria. The recording of movement history is also accurate.
Huawei promises 35 per cent more accurate positioning than other smartwatches. Unlike in the Watchfit 4 Pro test, there were no inconsistencies in the Watch 5's altitude measurement. The watch's data is within a realistic range. Nice: With a water resistance of 5 ATM, there is no need to worry about the technology in spontaneous downpours.
Many fitness & health functions cost money - no GPS replacement
While the dimensions and weight of the large smartwatch did not cause any problems on the road or in light gravel use, the additional mass on the wrist can be annoying on the trail. This is because the heavy watch body moves a lot and has to be tightened quite a bit. The fact that loud voice announcements and pop-up notifications have to be deactivated in the default setting during training is annoying.
As with other Huawei smartwatches, many fitness and health functions of the Health app are behind a paywall. The navigation function on the wrist can only be an additional aid for bikers and does not replace a handlebar-mounted GPS device. Although the pre-installed map is easy to use and has a good visualisation, it does not contain enough data for demanding mountain bikers.
Conclusion Huawei Watch 5 in the test
The Huawei Watch 5 is a great smartwatch with a high-quality wide-angle display that makes it a pleasure to use. The numerous health functions should fully satisfy the curiosity of many users and justify the price. The Watch 5 is also a good companion for training management. The heavy weight of the larger of the two versions is annoying on the trail. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Pro
- High-quality workmanship and good handling
- Spherical touch display is fun to use
- Wide range of modern health features
Contra
- large and heavy (sits poorly on the wrist on the trail)
- Many functions hidden behind a paywall
- Display tends to mirror
Jan Timmermann
Editor
