Huawei Volume 6: Design – not that bad at all!
The Huawei Band 6 makes a surprisingly high-quality impression in view of its low price (RRP: 59 euros, sometimes in stores for less than 40 euros) and this is confirmed in the Scratch test. The screen withstood pens up to a hardness level of 7 out of 9. The noble-looking plastic frame at least up to level 3. Only the back is more sensitive – but this is usually well protected on the skin. In 2021, basically every fitness tracker can withstand a rain shower, a shower or even a swimming session. The Huawei Band 6 also has one waterproof case and is equipped for swimming with protection up to 50 meters. As expected, it passed the COMPUTER BILD test in the water column unscathed. The bracelet is comfortable to wear, does not attract dust and holds thanks to the pin buckle. With a height of 11 millimeters (mm), the case is comparatively bulky – even the Apple Watch is narrower at 10.7 millimeters.
- External dimensions: 43.0×25.4×11.0 mm
- Weight (body only): 18 grams
Huawei neatly sorts the functions in circular apps on Volume 6.
The display is easy to read, but not permanent
The screen of the Huawei Band 6 is pleasantly large and easy to read thanks to the high-contrast AMOLED technology. The touch panel reacts extremely quickly to inputs. The screen does not show the time permanently, but only when you tap it or raise your arm – probably to save energy.
- Display technology: AMOLED
- Screen size: 17.6 x 34.2 mm (1.47 inches)
- Resolution: 194×368 pixels
The screen will stay black until you activate it.
Successful: The operation of the bracelet
The logic of the menus is easy to understand: Pressing a button opens the app overview, a swipe down to the quick menu with some settings, in the other direction the band shows 6 notifications. On the side it goes back and forth between some tiles: weather, remote music control, activities, heart rate and stress analysis.
The quick menu leads to some settings.
This button supports the operation of the touchscreen.
Huawei Band 6: Change the bracelet – this is how it works
The bracelet of the inexpensive tracker can basically be removed and changed. However, this is a complicated and fiddly mechanism: The small flap at the bottom of the housing has to be removed and threatens to get lost quickly because it is not secured to the strap. A click mechanism or a standard pin attachment would be the more elegant solution.
You can change the wristband by removing the flap.
Fitness tracker skills: what the Huawei Band 6 can do
The Huawei Band 6 masters the two most important functions of a fitness tracker:
- Precise sleep tracking: The bracelet correctly records sleep. Huawei prepares the results in the app and states the duration of sleep, analyzes sleep phases and evaluates the night as a whole as well as details such as breathing and sleep phases with scores. The app also recommends how to improve sleep. However, special features such as a detailed analysis of breathing, a comparison with others or long-term trends are missing.
- Heart rate measurement: In the test, the Huawei Band 6 determined the heart rate in accordance with the reference both selectively and during training. The heart rate curve can be seen as a diagram on the bracelet as well as in the app. To do this, Huawei determines values such as the resting heart rate, assigns the heart rate to (adjustable) training zones and, after training, calculates the performance value VO, which is important for athletes2Max.
The screen offers enough space to display the heart rate measurement as a diagram.
This overview summarizes the activity.
A couple of health functions are on board
The Huawei Band 6 reminds you to get up and move after an hour of sitting. It counts steps and calculates the calories consumed. Huawei calculates the personal stress level from the heart data. The light sensors estimate the oxygen saturation in the blood – but, like the competition, not medically accurate, which is why the function is of little use.
The Huawei Band 6 shows graphics, also for the estimated oxygen saturation in the blood.
Training analysis is sufficient for recreational sports
The most important features for recreational sports are on board. The Huawei Band 6 names many training modes and automatically recognizes running, walking, cross trainer and rowing. The tracker is well suited for pool swimming: it counts strokes, calculates the SWOLF performance value and recognizes the swimming style. There is no GPS for route recording, but distances and altitude can be recorded in conjunction with the smartphone. There is no repetition counter for fitness training and no other sophisticated training functions.
The paired smartphone is required to record a route.
Huawei Health App and clever functions
This is what the menus in the Huawei Health app look like.
Long battery life
The Huawei Band 6 demonstrated a long battery life in the test. The manufacturer promises a stamina of up to two weeks, which the tracker easily maintains – no wonder, it lacks power-intensive functions such as an always-on display, apps and GPS.
Two case colors, two bracelet colors: The Huawei Band 6 appears in these versions.
Huawei Band 6: price, colors, availability
The Huawei Band 6 is available with a black and pink case and in four strap colors – black, green, orange and pink. The tracker has been on the market since April 2021 and costs less than 40 euros (as of December 16, 2021).