The smartwatch market offers a spectrum of choices, from deeply integrated ecosystem plays to feature-rich, platform-agnostic options. The Apple Watch SE 3 represents Apple’s entry point into its wearable ecosystem, prioritizing affordability and core functionality. Conversely, the Huawei Watch GT 4 aims for extended battery life and broad compatibility, appealing to users less invested in a single brand’s ecosystem.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users firmly within the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch SE 3 is the clear winner, offering seamless integration and a robust app library. However, for those prioritizing battery life and platform independence, the Huawei Watch GT 4 provides a compelling alternative, despite lacking the breadth of Apple’s software support.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK | N/A |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | No |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 09 | 2023, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 19 | Available. Released 2023, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 46 x 46 x 10.9 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 26.4 g or 33 g (1.16 oz) | 37 g (41mm) / 48 g (46mm) (1.31 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass (2025 gen) | - |
| Resolution | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.78 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | - |
| Chipset | Apple S10 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR | - |
| OS | watchOS 26, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | HarmonyOS 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB | Unspecified |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, temperature (body) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 80% in 45 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion 524 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight, Starlight | Black, Steel, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A3325, A3324, A3328, A3326, A3327, A3329, A3391, A3392 | ARA-B19, PNX-B19 |
| Price | € 234.00 | About 270 EUR |
| SAR | 1.18 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.42 W/kg (head) | - |
Apple Watch SE 3
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Powerful Apple S10 chipset for smooth performance.
- Access to a vast library of watchOS apps.
- Requires an iPhone for setup and full functionality.
- Shorter battery life compared to the Huawei Watch GT 4.
- Limited customization options compared to some competitors.
Huawei Watch GT 4
- Exceptional battery life, potentially lasting for days.
- Platform-agnostic compatibility with Android and iOS.
- Potentially more affordable price point.
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Apple S10.
- Limited app ecosystem compared to watchOS.
- May lack some advanced features found in Apple Watch.
Display Comparison
While specific display details like brightness and panel type are unavailable for either watch, the Apple Watch SE 3 likely utilizes an OLED panel, common for Apple’s wearables, offering excellent contrast. The Huawei Watch GT 4’s display technology is unknown, but Huawei often focuses on maximizing battery life, potentially impacting peak brightness. Bezels are a key consideration; Apple typically minimizes these, while Huawei’s designs can vary. Color accuracy is expected to be good on both, given the premium nature of smartwatches.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Apple Watch SE 3 nor the Huawei Watch GT 4 are marketed for their camera capabilities, and neither device is known to have a camera. This comparison section is therefore not applicable.
Performance
The Apple Watch SE 3 is powered by the dual-core Apple S10 chipset, a significant advantage in terms of raw processing power compared to the unspecified chipset within the Huawei Watch GT 4. The S10 enables smooth animations, responsive app launches, and efficient background processing. While the GT 4 likely prioritizes power efficiency over peak performance, the S10’s architecture allows for more complex tasks and future software updates. RAM specifications are unavailable for either device, but Apple’s optimized watchOS generally manages memory efficiently.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch GT 4’s primary selling point is its extended battery life, a direct result of its focus on power efficiency. While the Apple Watch SE 3 offers a respectable battery life, it requires more frequent charging. Both devices support wireless charging, but the Apple Watch SE 3 achieves 80% charge in 45 minutes. The GT 4’s charging speed is unknown, but a longer battery life mitigates the need for rapid charging. The trade-off is performance; the S10 chip demands more power, while the GT 4’s chipset is likely optimized for longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch SE 3 if you need tight integration with iPhones, rely heavily on Apple’s health and fitness ecosystem (including Family Setup), and value access to a vast app store. Buy the Huawei Watch GT 4 if you prioritize multi-day battery life, prefer a more traditional watch aesthetic, and want a smartwatch that works seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices without ecosystem restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much does the Apple ecosystem lock-in affect the Apple Watch SE 3’s usability with Android phones?
The Apple Watch SE 3 is fundamentally designed for the Apple ecosystem. While it may power on and display the time with an Android phone, core features like app installation, health data synchronization, and software updates require an iPhone. It’s essentially a brick without one.
❓ Does the Huawei Watch GT 4’s HarmonyOS offer a comparable app experience to watchOS?
HarmonyOS on the Huawei Watch GT 4 has a growing app selection, but it’s significantly smaller and less mature than Apple’s watchOS app store. While essential apps like fitness trackers and notification management are available, you’ll find fewer third-party options and potentially less polished experiences.
❓ What kind of fitness tracking features does the Huawei Watch GT 4 offer, and how does it compare to the Apple Watch SE 3?
The Huawei Watch GT 4 offers comprehensive fitness tracking, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, SpO2 measurement, and various workout modes. While both watches track similar metrics, the Apple Watch SE 3 benefits from Apple’s more refined health algorithms and integration with the Apple Health app, providing a more holistic view of your health data.
