The smartwatch market is booming, and two heavyweights are vying for your wrist: the Huawei Watch 3 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro. Both offer premium features and rugged designs, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro edges out the Huawei Watch 3 Pro thanks to its superior software integration with Android, more robust app ecosystem, and generally smoother performance. While the Huawei offers a unique HarmonyOS experience and impressive hardware, Samsung's overall package is more compelling for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 02 | 2022, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 11 | Available. Released 2022, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, titanium frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 48 x 49.6 x 14 mm (1.89 x 1.95 x 0.55 in) | 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5 mm (1.79 x 1.79 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 63 g (2.22 oz) | 46.5 g (1.66 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | MIL-STD-810H compliant*
50m water resistant (IP68)
Compatible with standard 20mm straps
ECG certified
Blood pressure monitor
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 450 x 450 pixels (~321 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core 1.18 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | - | Exynos W920 (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G68 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0, upgradable to 3.0 | Android Wear OS 4, One UI Watch 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (market/region dependent) | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, thermometer (body temperature) |
| | - | Natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | 10W wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion 590 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Black Titanium, Gray Titanium |
| Models | - | SM-R925F |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Huawei Watch 3 Pro
- Unique HarmonyOS experience
- Built-in camera
- Premium design and materials
- Excellent health tracking features
- Wireless charging
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS
- Performance can be slightly laggy at times
- Less seamless integration with Android (outside of Huawei devices)
- HarmonyOS can feel less intuitive to some
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
- Seamless integration with Android
- Vast app ecosystem via Google Play Store
- Robust performance with Exynos W920
- Durable titanium case and sapphire crystal display
- Excellent battery life
- Design can be considered less premium than Huawei
- Price is relatively high
- Some features are exclusive to Samsung phones
Display Comparison
Both watches boast vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Galaxy Watch5 Pro's screen is slightly brighter and more responsive. The Huawei's display is excellent, but Samsung's implementation feels more refined. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro also has a more durable sapphire crystal display.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei Watch 3 Pro has a built-in camera, a unique feature absent in the Galaxy Watch5 Pro. While the camera quality is decent for quick snaps, it's not a replacement for a smartphone camera. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro relies on the smartphone camera for photos, which is generally a better approach.
Performance
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro, powered by the Exynos W920 chipset, generally offers snappier performance and smoother multitasking compared to the Huawei Watch 3 Pro. The Exynos W920's 5nm process provides a noticeable advantage in efficiency and responsiveness. HarmonyOS on the Huawei is improving, but still lags behind Wear OS in terms of app availability and optimization.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Watch5 Pro typically offers slightly better battery life than the Huawei Watch 3 Pro, especially with always-on display enabled. Both watches provide multiple days of use with moderate usage, but the Samsung generally lasts a bit longer.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch 3 Pro is ideal for users already invested in the Huawei ecosystem or those seeking a unique, premium smartwatch experience with a focus on health tracking and a distinct design. The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is the better choice for Android users prioritizing seamless integration, a vast app selection, and a rugged, adventure-ready design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei Watch 3 Pro work with iPhones?
While it connects via Bluetooth, functionality is limited compared to Android. You'll miss out on many features and app compatibility.
❓ Is the Galaxy Watch5 Pro worth the extra cost?
If you're an Android user and value seamless integration, a large app selection, and a rugged design, then yes. The extra cost is justified by the enhanced features and performance.
