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Determined to impose itself on the connected watch market, Huawei presents its Watch D, very focused on health. It has ECG and SpO2 sensors, but is also able to measure blood pressure and body temperature.
Hyperactive in the telephony sector, Huawei has just unveiled its very high-end folding smartphone, the P50 Pocket. However, it does not forget the dynamic connected mobility market and enriches its range of watches. After attacking the Apple Watch with a globally successful Watch Fit, the Chinese giant is this time focusing on connected health with its Watch D which stands out for its blood pressure monitor function, unprecedented in this type of consumer product. .
Unlike the Watch and Watch GT, the Watch D adopts a rectangular format, similar to that of the Watch Fit. The newcomer is nevertheless more imposing with its 38 mm wide and 51 mm high, against 30 x 46 mm for the Fit. It is also thicker: 13.6 mm, against 10.7 mm. Twice as heavy, the aluminum alloy case weighs 40.9 g. It remains very reasonable in absolute terms and corresponds to the weight of an Apple Watch, for example. Two sizes of rubber straps are available: one in size M, 11.8cm long, for 13-16cm wrists; the other in size L, with a length of 13.3 cm, for wrists of 16.1 to 20 cm. Note that Huawei does not recommend swimming or taking a hot shower with your Watch D, although it is IP68 certified.
The two colors of the Watch D. © Huawei
Regarding display, this model incorporates a 1.64-inch Amoled touchscreen with a definition of 280 x 456 pixels, for a resolution of 326 ppi. Two buttons on the right side are also present to return more easily to the home screen and launch the health measurements.
Advanced health functions
In terms of health precisely, Huawei is going all out with its Watch D. It is able not only to measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 sensor), to monitor sleep, but also to perform electrocardiograms. If the latter function is already available on certain competing watches such as the Apple Watch and the Galaxy Watch 4, it is a first for a model signed by Huawei. The Watch D goes even further than its two rivals, however, by offering skin temperature measurement (and an estimate of body temperature), a feature also present on the Watch 3.
But that’s not all, since the real novelty lies in the measurement of blood pressure, thanks to a micro-pump responsible for inflating small cushions positioned inside the bracelet. This tensiometer function would ensure an accuracy of the order of +/- 3 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).
Although it is a connected watch not having, a priori, intended to replace a specialized medical device, the Watch D has obtained a second class certification from the Chinese homologation services.
Huawei also offers health services accessible 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, for carrying out online consultations based on readings taken via its watch, as well as real-time monitoring in the event of health anomalies. would be detected. It is also possible to benefit from free online interpretations of the electrocardiograms performed with the Watch during the first year of use.
Sport and seven days of autonomy
Since health also involves regular physical activity, the Huawei Watch D offers 70 sports modes. Outdoor sports practitioners will be delighted to learn that it also has a GPS chip.
All these functions do not seem to penalize the autonomy too much, Huawei guaranteeing seven days of use with the default settings. Charging is done wirelessly.
For now, the Huawei Watch D has only been announced in China where it will be marketed at a price of 2,988 yuan, or around € 415 excluding taxes.