Huawei continues to push boundaries in the smartwatch market. The Watch GT 3 offered a refined design and impressive battery life, while the Watch 4 introduces a new chipset and enhanced health tracking. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Watch 4 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly improved performance powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset and enhanced health features. While the GT 3 still boasts excellent battery life, the Watch 4's advancements make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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 | 2021, October 21 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 11 | Available. Released 2023, June 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, stainless steel frame | Glass front, ceramic back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 45.9 x 45.9 x 11 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.43 in) | 46.2 x 46.2 x 10.9 mm (1.82 x 1.82 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 35 g (42mm) / 42.6 g (46mm) (1.23 oz) | 48 g (1.69 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps (46mm model), 20mm straps (42mm model) | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.5 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| | - | * the display resolution is unconfirmed
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 702 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0, upgradable to 4.0 | HarmonyOS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 32MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, EDR | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, 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, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, SpO2, thermometer (body temperature) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 455 mAh | Li-Ion 530 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Steel, Gold | Black |
| Models | MIL-B19 | ARC-AL00 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 450 EUR |
Huawei Watch GT 3
- Exceptional battery life
- Elegant and classic design
- Accurate heart rate monitoring
- Good value for money
- Slower performance
- Limited app ecosystem
- Less advanced health features compared to Watch 4
Huawei Watch 4
- Significantly improved performance
- Advanced health tracking (ECG, SpO2)
- Bright and responsive display
- Modern design
- Shorter battery life than GT 3
- Higher price point
- Still reliant on Huawei Health ecosystem
Display Comparison
Both watches feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and excellent clarity. The Watch 4 generally has slightly improved brightness and responsiveness. The GT 3's display is still very good, but the Watch 4's is a noticeable step up.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a built-in camera. This is a consistent feature across Huawei's smartwatch lineup.
Performance
This is where the Watch 4 truly shines. The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset provides a significant performance boost over the GT 3, resulting in smoother animations, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface. The GT 3 can feel a bit sluggish at times, especially when navigating menus.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch GT 3 maintains its reputation for exceptional battery life, often lasting 7-14 days depending on usage. The Watch 4, while still offering respectable battery life (typically 3-7 days), takes a slight hit due to the more power-hungry chipset.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch GT 3 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a classic, elegant design. It's a great choice for those who want a reliable smartwatch for basic fitness tracking and notifications. The Huawei Watch 4 is best suited for users who demand a smoother, faster experience, advanced health monitoring (including ECG and blood oxygen), and appreciate the latest technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei Watch 4 support third-party apps?
The Huawei Watch 4 primarily relies on the Huawei AppGallery, which has a limited selection of third-party apps compared to Wear OS. However, it does offer some essential apps.
❓ Is the Huawei Watch 4 compatible with iOS devices?
While the Huawei Watch 4 connects via Bluetooth, functionality with iOS devices is limited compared to Android. You'll primarily receive notifications and basic fitness tracking data.