Huawei is pushing boundaries with innovative devices, and the Watch Buds and Watch 4 Pro are prime examples. The Watch Buds uniquely combine a smartwatch and earbuds, while the Watch 4 Pro is a flagship smartwatch. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Watch 4 Pro is the clear winner for traditional smartwatch users seeking advanced health tracking and a premium experience. The Watch Buds are a niche product appealing to those prioritizing convenience and always-ready earbuds, but compromise on smartwatch features. It's a trade-off between functionality and innovation.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 |
| 4G bands | N/A | LTE |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 09 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 09 | Available. Released 2023, June 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, stainless steel frame | Glass front, ceramic back, TC4 titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47.5 x 15 mm (1.85 x 1.87 x 0.59 in) | 47.6 x 47.6 x 12.9 mm (1.87 x 1.87 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 66.5 g (2.36 oz) | 65 g (2.29 oz) |
| | Built-in wireless earbuds housed beneath the display; charging from the watch
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.5 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| | - | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | HarmonyOS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | - | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (market/region dependent) |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 410 mAh (watch) | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Khaki | Titanium |
| Models | - | MDS-AL00, MDS-AL10 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 550 EUR |
Huawei Watch Buds
- Unique 2-in-1 design (smartwatch & earbuds)
- Always-ready earbuds
- Compact and portable
- Wireless charging
- Limited smartwatch features compared to dedicated smartwatches
- Smaller battery life for smartwatch functionality
- Potentially higher price point for the combined device
- Less powerful processor
Huawei Watch 4 Pro
- Larger, brighter display
- Advanced health tracking features (ECG, SpO2)
- Longer battery life
- HarmonyOS for smooth performance
- Premium build quality
- Less innovative design compared to Watch Buds
- Earbuds not integrated
- Can be expensive
Display Comparison
The Watch 4 Pro boasts a significantly larger and brighter AMOLED display (1.4 inch) compared to the Watch Buds' integrated earbuds, which don't have a dedicated display. This makes the Watch 4 Pro far superior for viewing notifications, apps, and health data.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a primary camera. The Watch 4 Pro may have camera control features for paired smartphones, but the Watch Buds do not.
Performance
The Watch 4 Pro, powered by HarmonyOS, generally offers smoother performance and a wider range of app compatibility. The Watch Buds' performance is tied to the smartwatch component, which is less powerful than the Watch 4 Pro's chipset, impacting responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Watch 4 Pro typically offers longer battery life (around 10-14 days) due to its larger battery capacity. The Watch Buds' battery life is split between the smartwatch and earbuds, with the earbuds providing around 6-8 hours of playback and the smartwatch lasting 2-3 days.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch Buds if you value having earbuds always accessible and appreciate a unique, compact design. Buy the Huawei Watch 4 Pro if you're a serious smartwatch user needing comprehensive health tracking, a larger display, and a more robust feature set.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use the Watch Buds as standalone earbuds?
Yes, the earbuds can be detached from the watch and used independently, offering standard Bluetooth connectivity.
❓ Does the Watch 4 Pro support third-party apps?
Yes, the Watch 4 Pro supports a growing number of third-party apps through the Huawei AppGallery.
❓ Are the Watch Buds waterproof?
Both devices have a 5ATM water resistance rating, suitable for swimming and showering.
❓ What charging standard do both devices use?
Both devices utilize wireless charging.
