The smartwatch market is booming, and two intriguing contenders have emerged: the innovative Huawei Watch Buds and the established Apple Watch Series 8. One combines a smartwatch with earbuds, while the other is a refined iteration of a classic. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one deserves a spot on your wrist.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a more polished and feature-rich smartwatch experience, particularly for iOS users, with its robust app ecosystem and advanced health tracking. However, the Huawei Watch Buds provide a unique convenience with integrated earbuds, appealing to those seeking a space-saving and versatile wearable. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 09 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 09 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, stainless steel frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47.5 x 15 mm (1.85 x 1.87 x 0.59 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 66.5 g (2.36 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | Built-in wireless earbuds housed beneath the display; charging from the watch
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S8 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 410 mAh (watch) | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Khaki | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | - | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Huawei Watch Buds
- Unique integrated earbuds design
- Space-saving convenience
- Decent battery life (watch + earbuds)
- Stylish design
- Less polished smartwatch experience
- Smaller, less vibrant display
- Limited app ecosystem
- Performance not as strong as Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 8
- Excellent display quality
- Fast and smooth performance
- Extensive app ecosystem
- Advanced health tracking features
- Seamless iOS integration
- Shorter battery life compared to Watch Buds
- Limited functionality with Android
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a brighter and more vibrant Always-On Retina display, offering excellent readability even in direct sunlight. The Huawei Watch Buds' display is smaller and less impressive, prioritizing functionality over visual appeal. Apple's display technology is generally considered superior.
Camera Comparison
Neither device features a traditional camera. The Apple Watch Series 8 can be used to remotely control the camera on an iPhone. The Huawei Watch Buds do not offer this functionality.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 8, powered by the S8 chip and dual-core CPU, delivers noticeably faster and smoother performance than the Huawei Watch Buds. App loading times are quicker, and multitasking is more fluid. The Huawei Watch Buds' performance is adequate for basic smartwatch functions but may struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a typical battery life of around 18 hours, with fast charging (0-80% in 45 minutes). The Huawei Watch Buds' battery life is estimated to be around 3-4 days for the watch and 4-6 hours for the earbuds when in use. The Apple Watch offers more consistent smartwatch usage, while the Watch Buds provide longer overall usage considering both watch and earbuds.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch Buds are ideal for users who value convenience and want to consolidate their earbuds and smartwatch into a single device. They're a good choice for those who appreciate innovative design and don't heavily rely on a vast app ecosystem. The Apple Watch Series 8 is best suited for iPhone users seeking a comprehensive smartwatch with advanced health features, seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, and a wide selection of apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can the Huawei Watch Buds be used with an Android phone?
While the Huawei Watch Buds can pair with Android phones, the experience is significantly better with iOS due to limited app support and integration.
❓ How does the Apple Watch Series 8 compare to previous Apple Watch models?
The Series 8 offers incremental improvements over previous models, including temperature sensing for cycle tracking and crash detection, but the core experience remains largely the same.
