Huawei Watch GT 3 in the test: beautiful, enduring, limited functions

Brief conclusion

The Huawei Watch GT 3 shines with a significantly better price-performance ratio compared to its big sister. The manufacturer uses the red line, among other things, with LTE and the option to reply to notifications. That’s annoying, but not an absolute no-go. It’s a shame that Huawei has still barely expanded its range of installable apps.

Huawei Watch GT 3 from 229 euros on Amazon

The hardware of the Watch GT 3 is almost flawless. The workmanship and display are great, and the tracking functions make sense. But if you are looking for a smartwatch with high autonomy, the GT 3 is probably not for you. The battery life of up to 14 days is terrific, but there is no LTE module. In addition, it is extremely annoying that you cannot even reply to messages with preconfigured messages.

Design & display: Huawei can do smartwatches easily

You can buy the Huawei Watch GT 3 in two case sizes. You choose between 42 millimeters and 46 millimeters – the watch is therefore not discreet in any version. Nevertheless, it is lighter and less bulky than the Watch 3 Pro, which is a positive thing when doing sports. Huawei relies on AMOLED for the display, which is good for the watch on bright days. The smartwatch is waterproof up to 5 ATM.

I liked:

• Nice workmanship
• Very good display
• Different case sizes
• Precise vibration motor

Did not like it:

• Pressure point of the 3D crown too spongy

Apart from my personal preferences, there isn’t much to criticize about the design of the Huawei Watch GT 3. Compared to its predecessor, the Huawei Watch GT 2, it has shrunk. The second GT model came to Germany exclusively with a 47-millimeter case and was therefore more suitable for large wrists. The fact that Huawei offers two different case sizes should therefore be positively emphasized.

The same applies to the quality of the AMOLED panels used. This has a crisp resolution of 466 x 466 and is bright enough to be read even in the sunshine. As with the Watch 3 Pro, it is operated via a 3D crown that is somewhat reminiscent of the Apple Watch. However, the pressure point of the crown of the Watch GT 3 is significantly more spongy than on the other models. You can get used to it, but there is still some uncertainty as to whether you have made a selection or not.

Last but not least, I have to praise the smartwatch’s vibration motor, as I believe this is particularly important for wearables. The vibration shocks are precise and strong enough to arrive in the cerebellum while moving. In addition, there are the slight impulses when turning the crown, which has once again become a kind of “fidget spinner” during the test period.

Software: HarmonyOS still in the app crisis

HarmonyOS is used on the Huawei Watch GT 3. This is Huawei’s own operating system, which was developed as a result of the trade embargo with the USA. Again, HarmonyOS is intuitive and pretty, but there is still a severe lack of available apps.

I liked:

• Installation of the companion apps is intuitive despite detours
• HarmonyOS nice and tidy
• Easy handling

Did not like it:

• Hardly any additional apps in the app gallery
• No apps at all in combination with your iPhone

When I tested the Huawei Watch 3 Pro a few months ago, HarmonyOS was brand new. Accordingly, there were a few start-up problems that could be resolved with an update back then. It’s nice to see in December 2021 that Huawei has further improved the watch’s setup. With a Pixel 6, despite the detour called APK installation, setup and pairing was straightforward and easy.

HarmonyOS has remained unchanged since the Watch 3 Pro. The operating system is tidy, optimized for operation via the 3D crown and offers clear menus and stylish icons. There are also a large number of watch faces, and you can also arrange the various tiles in the operating system yourself.

While I really like HarmonyOS, I can no longer understand Huawei’s negligence in the availability of apps. In the Huawei app gallery, which you can only access with the GT 3 via the health app, there are only 31 apps as of December 17th. None of them are of interest to me, I tend to miss big players like Spotify, Google Maps and Co. Certainly this is due to the US embargo, but it’s still a shame.

Another shame: If you use an iPhone, you cannot access the app gallery at all. If only there was a better smartwatch alternative for iPhones …

Performance & features: Neither LTE nor NFC

Huawei is reducing the costs of the Watch GT 3, among other things, by making three compromises: On the one hand, the manufacturer has replaced its flagship smartwatch SoC with the ARM Cortex-M. Second, there is no option to order the GT 3 with an LTE module. Last but not least, there is no NFC for mobile payments. As with the more expensive model, you have to do without premium functions such as ECG, bioimpedance sensor and more.

I liked:

• Fluid performance in everyday life
• Heart rate, SpO2 and skin temperature sensors
• Precise GPS

Did not like it:

• LTE and NFC have fallen victim to the red line
• Hardly any special features compared to other smartwatches

Since there is no benchmarking tool in the Huawei app gallery, the performance of the smartwatch cannot really be quantified. However, there is no noticeable difference in performance compared to the more expensive model in daily use. Apps and features open and start quickly, scrolling through lists is easy. A smartwatch hardly has to do much more in this regard.

What it should be able to do in 2021, however, is to connect to the Internet without a smartphone and not let you down at the supermarket checkout. The watch does not meet these requirements, because a version with LTE is missing in the catalog of the Chinese electronics giant. While you can still substitute the internet connection with your smartphone, the lack of NFC is a painful loss. Because digital payment is technically not possible even if Huawei Pay is becoming more widespread in Germany.

For use in sports, Huawei has integrated various sensors for vital data into the watch, but only the standard range is available here. You can measure your pulse, get the blood oxygen content displayed and are allowed to measure your skin temperature. All three features can be used automatically 24 hours a day, which ensures seamless monitoring of your body. The watch shines here!

The shine fades a little when you look at the competition. Some versions of the Apple Watch introduced a digital EKG and can protect you from a heart attack. In addition to an EKG, the Galaxy Watch 4 also offers a pulse measurement and, in the fourth generation, the measurement of your bioimpedance. Huawei will have to improve this with the next model at the latest.

Battery: 14 days of battery life – under one condition

The Watch GT 3 comes with 292 or 455 mAh, depending on the case size. With this capacity, Huawei achieves long runtimes of up to 14 days, but only with the larger model. The maximum usage time is halved for the smaller model – so 7 days are possible. Wireless charging is also possible, even with your smartphone.

I liked:

• Long runtimes with the larger model
• Solid runtimes for the smaller model
• Wireless charging on board

Did not like it:

The above information comes from Huawei itself and is based on laboratory values ​​under optimal conditions of use. However, the larger model also demonstrated a long endurance in everyday life. Immediately after unpacking, I permanently activated all measurement options. With intensive use, the smartwatch lasted seven days. A very good value that enables a complete recording of your vital data.

According to the Huawei homepage, the smaller watch should last four days with intensive use. Since we do not have this model, we unfortunately cannot check it in everyday life. What I was able to attest to both models, however, is the compatibility of the wireless charging. Because with the Pixel 6 I could charge the smartwatch without the included charging puck.

Incidentally, the charging puck is the same as on the more expensive Huawei model. It is magnetically attached to the watch and connects to your notebook or charger via USB-A.

Final verdict