The smartwatch market is dominated by two key players: Apple and Huawei. While the Apple Watch Series 8 represents the pinnacle of integration within the Apple ecosystem, the Huawei Watch GT 3 carves out a niche with its impressive battery life and broader compatibility. This comparison dissects the core differences, helping you determine which smartwatch best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing battery life and platform independence, the Huawei Watch GT 3 is the clear winner. However, if seamless iPhone integration, advanced health features, and a robust app ecosystem are paramount, the Apple Watch Series 8 remains the superior choice, despite its shorter battery endurance.
| 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 | 2021, October 21 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 11 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 45.9 x 45.9 x 11 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.43 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 35 g (42mm) / 42.6 g (46mm) (1.23 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps (46mm model), 20mm straps (42mm model) | 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 2.0, upgradable to 4.0 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 32MB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, EDR | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | 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, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) | 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-Po 455 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Steel, Gold | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | MIL-B19 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 120 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 GT 3
- Exceptional battery life (days, not hours)
- Wireless charging convenience
- Broader smartphone compatibility (Android & iOS)
- Less powerful processor compared to Apple S8
- Limited app ecosystem compared to watchOS
Apple Watch Series 8
- Powerful Apple S8 processor for smooth performance
- Seamless integration with iPhone and Apple ecosystem
- Comprehensive health tracking features (temperature sensing)
- Shorter battery life requiring daily charging
- Limited to iOS compatibility
Display Comparison
While specific display details for the Huawei Watch GT 3 are absent, Huawei typically employs AMOLED panels known for vibrant colors. The Apple Watch Series 8 features an always-on Retina display, benefiting from its LTPO technology which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate to conserve battery. This LTPO implementation is a key advantage, allowing for smoother animations and efficient power usage. The Series 8’s display is also brighter, crucial for outdoor visibility, a factor the GT 3 may struggle with depending on its peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Neither device features a camera, a common omission in modern smartwatches. Both focus on health and fitness tracking rather than photography.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 8 is powered by the Apple S8 dual-core processor, a significant advantage over the Huawei Watch GT 3, which lacks publicly available chipset details. The S8’s dual-core architecture enables faster app loading times, smoother animations, and more responsive interactions. While the GT 3 likely focuses on efficiency, the S8 prioritizes performance, making the Series 8 better suited for running complex applications and handling demanding tasks. The Apple S8’s architecture is also optimized for Apple’s proprietary watchOS.
Battery Life
This is where the Huawei Watch GT 3 shines. While the Apple Watch Series 8 offers 0-80% charge in 45 minutes, the GT 3’s wireless charging and focus on power efficiency translate to significantly longer battery life – often measured in days, versus the Series 8’s typical 18-36 hours. The Series 8’s faster charging is convenient, but the GT 3’s longevity reduces the need for frequent charging, a major benefit for travelers or those who dislike daily charging routines.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch GT 3 if you need a smartwatch that lasts for days on a single charge, aren't heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, and value broader smartphone compatibility. Buy the Apple Watch Series 8 if you're an iPhone user seeking deep integration with Apple Health, a comprehensive app store, and advanced features like temperature sensing, and are willing to charge it more frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Huawei Watch GT 3 handle notifications compared to the Apple Watch Series 8?
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers more robust notification management, allowing for detailed replies and actions directly from the watch. The Huawei Watch GT 3 provides basic notification mirroring, but interaction is more limited, focusing on quick glances and dismissals. The Series 8’s integration with iOS allows for more granular control over which apps can send notifications.
❓ Is the Huawei Watch GT 3 a good choice for fitness tracking if I primarily use Android?
Yes, the Huawei Watch GT 3 is an excellent choice for Android users focused on fitness. It offers comprehensive tracking for a wide range of activities, including GPS, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. Its compatibility with Android smartphones provides a seamless experience without the ecosystem restrictions of the Apple Watch.
❓ Does the Apple Watch Series 8's temperature sensing feature offer practical health benefits?
The Apple Watch Series 8’s temperature sensing is primarily geared towards retrospective ovulation estimates for cycle tracking. While it doesn’t provide a direct diagnosis of illness, it can offer insights into potential cycle deviations and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of reproductive health. It's important to note this is not a medical device.
