The smartwatch market is heating up, with Huawei and Xiaomi offering compelling options. The Huawei Watch 5 focuses on refined convenience with wireless charging, while the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro makes a significant leap forward with the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 platform. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which watch best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and a smoother software experience, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is the clear winner. The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset delivers a noticeable advantage in responsiveness and efficiency. However, those heavily invested in the Huawei ecosystem and valuing wireless charging convenience may find the Watch 5 a suitable alternative.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - cellular model only | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - cellular model only | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - cellular model only | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, May 15 | 2023, September 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May 21 | Available. Released 2023, October 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire Glass, ceramic backAerospace-grade titanium or 316L stainless steel frame (46mm)904L stainless steel or 316L stainless steel frame (42mm) | Stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46 x 46.7 x 11.3 mm (1.81 x 1.84 x 0.44 in) | 47.6 x 45.9 x 11.8 mm (1.87 x 1.81 x 0.46 in) |
| SIM | eSIM - cellular model only | eSIM |
| Weight | 48/51/58/63 g (1.69 oz) | 54.5 g (1.94 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire Glass | - |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.43 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 3000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 600 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| OS | HarmonyOS 4.0 | Android Wear OS 3.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 867 mAh | Li-Po 495 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purple, Silver, Black, Beige, White | Black, Silver |
| Models | RTS-AL00, SOC-AL00 | M2233W1 |
| Price | $ 326.86 / € 299.00 | About 170 EUR |
Huawei Watch 5
- Convenient 10W wireless charging.
- Potential for strong Huawei ecosystem integration.
- Likely focus on accurate color reproduction in the display.
- Likely less powerful chipset compared to the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1.
- Potentially lower battery efficiency.
- Limited information available on key specs.
Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
- Powerful and efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 (4nm).
- Improved responsiveness and smoother user experience.
- Potential for longer battery life due to chipset efficiency.
- Lacks wireless charging convenience.
- May not integrate as seamlessly with the Huawei ecosystem.
- Charging speed currently unknown.
Display Comparison
Display specifications are currently unavailable for both devices. However, given the market positioning, we anticipate both watches will feature AMOLED panels. The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, benefiting from the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1’s processing power, is likely to support higher refresh rates for smoother animations. Huawei typically focuses on color accuracy, so a comparable experience is expected, but the lack of detailed specs prevents a definitive assessment.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is marketed for its camera capabilities, and detailed camera specs are unavailable. Smartwatches generally feature limited camera functionality, primarily for quick scans or video calls. Without specific sensor information, it’s safe to assume both watches offer basic camera features suitable for their intended use cases.
Performance
The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 (4nm) chipset is the defining advantage here. This 4nm process node offers significantly improved power efficiency compared to the likely older, less efficient chipset in the Huawei Watch 5. The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 is designed specifically for wearables, delivering optimized performance for tasks like app loading, fitness tracking, and notification handling. This translates to a more fluid and responsive user experience for the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, particularly noticeable during multitasking and complex operations. The Huawei Watch 5, lacking this architectural advantage, will likely exhibit slower performance and potentially more lag.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 in the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is inherently more power-efficient. This means the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is likely to achieve comparable or better battery life than the Huawei Watch 5, even with a similar battery capacity. The Huawei Watch 5 offers 10W wireless charging, a convenience factor, but the charging speed itself isn't exceptionally fast. The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro’s charging speed is currently unknown, but the chipset’s efficiency could allow for optimized charging cycles.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch 5 if you prioritize seamless integration with the Huawei ecosystem, prefer the convenience of wireless charging, and aren't a power user demanding peak performance. Buy the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro if you want a smartwatch with a modern, efficient chipset, a more responsive user interface, and are looking for a platform that isn't tied to a specific brand's ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much of a real-world performance difference will I notice between the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 and the chipset in the Huawei Watch 5?
The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 offers a significant leap in performance. Expect faster app loading times, smoother animations, and a more responsive user interface on the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. The Huawei Watch 5 will likely feel noticeably slower, especially when multitasking or using demanding apps.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro a significant drawback?
While wireless charging is convenient, the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1’s power efficiency and the potential for faster wired charging (details currently unavailable) could mitigate this. The performance benefits of the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro likely outweigh the convenience of wireless charging for most users.
❓ How well does the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro integrate with non-Android smartphones (e.g., iPhones)?
Integration with iOS devices is often limited on smartwatches running Wear OS (which the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 platform supports). While basic functionality like notifications and calls may work, you'll likely miss out on advanced features and seamless integration compared to using an Android phone.
