The smartwatch market offers a spectrum of choices, from deeply integrated ecosystem plays to feature-rich, platform-agnostic options. This comparison pits the Apple Watch SE, a gateway into Apple’s wearable world, against the Huawei Watch GT 4, a strong contender focused on extended battery life and comprehensive health tracking. Both utilize wireless charging, but diverge significantly in their core philosophies and capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For iPhone users already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch SE offers seamless integration and a robust app library. However, the Huawei Watch GT 4 wins for Android users and those prioritizing battery life, offering up to two weeks of use on a single charge and a broader compatibility range.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | No |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 15 | 2023, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, September 18 | Available. Released 2023, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.41 in) | 46 x 46 x 10.9 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 36.4 g (1.27 oz) | 37 g (41mm) / 48 g (46mm) (1.31 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | - |
| 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 S5 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR | - |
| OS | watchOS 7.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 | HarmonyOS 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | Unspecified |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion 524 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | Black, Steel, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A2353, A2354, A2355, A2356, A2351, A2352 | ARA-B19, PNX-B19 |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Apple Watch SE
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Access to a vast library of watchOS apps.
- Responsive performance thanks to the Apple S5 chipset.
- Limited battery life requiring daily charging.
- Ecosystem lock-in; best experience with iPhones.
- Higher price point compared to the Huawei Watch GT 4.
Huawei Watch GT 4
- Exceptional battery life (up to two weeks).
- Platform-agnostic; compatible with both Android and iOS.
- Comprehensive health and fitness tracking features.
- Less app availability compared to watchOS.
- Potentially slower performance for complex tasks.
- Huawei Health app may not be as refined as Apple Health.
Display Comparison
While specific display details (resolution, brightness) are absent for both, the Apple Watch SE’s display benefits from Apple’s color calibration expertise, ensuring accurate and vibrant visuals. The Huawei Watch GT 4 likely employs an AMOLED panel, common in its price range, but without knowing the peak brightness, it’s difficult to assess its outdoor visibility. Bezels are a key differentiator; Apple typically minimizes these, contributing to a more immersive experience. The Apple Watch SE’s display is also likely to have a higher refresh rate, contributing to smoother animations.
Camera Comparison
Neither device features a camera, a common omission in modern smartwatches. This simplifies the design and focuses on core smartwatch functionality. The absence of a camera isn’t a disadvantage, as the primary function of these devices is not photography.
Performance
The Apple Watch SE is powered by the dual-core Apple S5 chipset, a proprietary silicon designed for efficient performance within the watchOS environment. This allows for responsive app loading and smooth operation of watchOS features. The Huawei Watch GT 4’s chipset is unspecified, but Huawei historically focuses on power efficiency over raw processing power. This means the GT 4 will likely handle basic fitness tracking and notifications well, but may struggle with complex apps or demanding tasks compared to the Apple Watch SE. The Apple S5’s architecture is optimized for the watch’s specific tasks, offering a performance advantage within its ecosystem.
Battery Life
This is where the Huawei Watch GT 4 shines. While the Apple Watch SE requires daily charging, the GT 4 boasts up to two weeks of battery life on a single charge, a significant advantage for users who dislike frequent charging. This extended battery life is achieved through a combination of a larger battery capacity (likely) and Huawei’s power-efficient chipset. Both devices support wireless charging, but the GT 4’s longevity minimizes the need to utilize this feature. The Apple Watch SE’s battery life is a known limitation, requiring users to adapt their usage or charge overnight.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch SE if you are an iPhone user seeking tight integration with Apple services, a wide selection of apps, and a familiar user interface. You’ll benefit from features like Family Setup and Apple Pay. Buy the Huawei Watch GT 4 if you prioritize long battery life, use an Android phone, and want a comprehensive health and fitness tracker with a stylish design, without being locked into a specific ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei Watch GT 4 work well with iPhones, or is it limited in functionality?
While the Huawei Watch GT 4 is compatible with iPhones via the Huawei Health app, functionality is limited compared to its Android experience. You'll receive notifications, but features like replying to messages directly from the watch or syncing data with Apple Health may be restricted. It's a functional pairing, but not a seamless one.
❓ How does the Apple Watch SE's integration with Apple Pay compare to payment options on the Huawei Watch GT 4?
The Apple Watch SE offers seamless and secure payments via Apple Pay, leveraging the iPhone's secure element. The Huawei Watch GT 4 supports NFC payments, but availability and compatibility vary by region and bank. It may require setting up a Huawei Wallet account and may not be as widely accepted as Apple Pay.
❓ Is the lack of a specific chipset detail for the Huawei Watch GT 4 a cause for concern?
Huawei typically prioritizes power efficiency over raw processing power in its smartwatches. While the exact chipset is unknown, it's likely optimized for fitness tracking and basic smartwatch functions. The GT 4 will likely handle everyday tasks well, but may not be as responsive as the Apple Watch SE when running complex apps.
