The smartwatch market offers a spectrum of choices, from deeply integrated ecosystem plays like the Apple Watch Series 7 to more platform-agnostic options like the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE. This comparison focuses on the core differences between these two devices, acknowledging the Series 7’s established position and the GT 3 SE’s emphasis on extended battery life and broader compatibility.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users firmly entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and prioritizing app availability and seamless integration, the Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum remains the superior choice. However, the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE delivers compelling value for those seeking long battery life and compatibility with both iOS and Android, at a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | No |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2022, November 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2022, November 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 46.4 x 46.4 x 11 mm (1.83 x 1.83 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 oz) | 35.6 g (1.27 oz) |
| | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps (46mm model) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | - |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | - |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR | - |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | HarmonyOS 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 4GB |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2 |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | 455 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Green, Red | Graphite Black, Wilderness Green |
| Models | A2473, A2474, A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,6, watch6,7, watch6,8, watch6,9 | RUNE-B29 |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum
- Powerful Apple S7 chipset for smooth performance
- Extensive app ecosystem through the App Store
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices
- Shorter battery life compared to the GT 3 SE
- Limited compatibility – primarily designed for iOS
Huawei Watch GT 3 SE
- Longer battery life for multi-day use
- Cross-platform compatibility with iOS and Android
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Apple S7
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to watchOS
Display Comparison
The context data lacks display specifics for both devices. However, given Apple’s history, the Series 7 likely features an LTPO display enabling its always-on functionality and variable refresh rates, contributing to power efficiency. The Series 7’s aluminum casing suggests a focus on weight reduction, potentially impacting screen size relative to the GT 3 SE. Without specific nit brightness or resolution data, it’s reasonable to assume Apple’s display offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles, leveraging its established display technology.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is marketed for its camera capabilities, and neither specification includes camera details. This suggests both are primarily focused on smartwatch functionality rather than photography. Any camera features on the GT 3 SE would likely be basic and geared towards remote phone control rather than high-quality image capture.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 7 is powered by the Apple S7 dual-core chipset, a significant advantage over the unspecified chipset in the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE. The S7’s architecture allows for faster app loading times, smoother animations, and more responsive interactions. While the GT 3 SE likely prioritizes power efficiency, the S7’s processing power enables more complex health tracking algorithms and features. The lack of RAM specifications for both devices makes a direct comparison difficult, but Apple’s silicon typically benefits from optimized memory management.
Battery Life
Both the Apple Watch Series 7 and Huawei Watch GT 3 SE support wireless charging. The Series 7 achieves 0-80% charge in 45 minutes, indicating a relatively fast charging speed. The GT 3 SE’s charging speed is unspecified, but Huawei typically emphasizes battery life over rapid charging. Given the S7’s more power-hungry chipset and features, the GT 3 SE is likely to offer significantly longer battery life between charges, potentially lasting several days compared to the Series 7’s typical 18-hour lifespan.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum if you need a comprehensive smartwatch experience with a vast app library, tight integration with other Apple devices, and advanced health tracking features. Buy the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE if you prioritize battery life, cross-platform compatibility (Android and iOS), and a more affordable price point, accepting a less extensive app ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Apple Watch Series 7’s ecosystem lock-in affect usability with an Android phone?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is designed primarily for use with iPhones. While limited functionality might be possible through workarounds, core features like notifications, app installation, and health data synchronization are heavily reliant on the Apple ecosystem. Using it with an Android phone significantly diminishes its value.
❓ Does the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE offer the same level of health tracking accuracy as the Apple Watch Series 7?
While the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE offers a range of health tracking features, the Apple Watch Series 7 benefits from Apple’s advanced sensors and algorithms, refined over several generations. The Series 7 is likely to provide more accurate and detailed health data, particularly for metrics like ECG and blood oxygen saturation (if supported).
❓ What kind of apps are available on the Huawei Watch GT 3 SE compared to the Apple Watch?
The Huawei Watch GT 3 SE utilizes a proprietary operating system with a smaller app ecosystem compared to watchOS. While it supports essential apps for fitness tracking and notifications, the breadth and depth of available apps are significantly less than what’s offered on the Apple Watch’s App Store.
