The smartwatch market is dominated by Apple and increasingly challenged by Huawei. We pit the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, a strong contender focused on battery life and premium materials, against the Apple Watch Series 9, the established leader in ecosystem integration and health tracking. This comparison will dissect the core differences to help you choose the right wearable for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing seamless smartphone integration, comprehensive health features, and a robust app ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the superior choice. However, users seeking exceptional battery life and wireless charging convenience will find the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro a compelling alternative.
| 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 | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September 19 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 19 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, titanium alloy frame, ceramic back (Ceramic White model only) | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46.3 x 46.3 x 10.9 mm (1.82 x 1.82 x 0.43 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 44 g or 53 g (1.55 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| 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, 1200 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S9 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | HarmonyOS 5.0 | watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified | 64GB |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS | 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) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 524 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium, Black, Ceramic White, White | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Red |
| Models | VLI-B29 | A2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4 |
| Price | $ 250.00 / € 249.00 | About 630 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) |
Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro
- Potentially superior battery life compared to Apple Watch Series 9
- Wireless charging offers added convenience
- Likely more affordable price point
- Ecosystem limitations compared to Apple Watch
- Performance likely lags behind Apple S9 chip
Apple Watch Series 9
- Powerful Apple S9 chip for smooth performance
- Comprehensive health tracking features (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Requires daily charging
- Higher price point than Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro
Display Comparison
While specific display details for the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro are currently unavailable, Huawei typically employs AMOLED panels. The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a Retina LTPO OLED display, enabling an always-on display with power efficiency. The Series 9’s LTPO technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate, conserving battery when static content is displayed. The Series 9’s peak brightness is likely significantly higher, improving outdoor visibility, a feature not currently specified for the GT 5 Pro. Bezels are a key differentiator; Apple consistently minimizes these, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities. Both are smartwatches, not camera-focused devices. Therefore, a detailed camera comparison is not applicable given the limited information.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by the dual-core Apple S9 SiP, a significant upgrade over previous generations. This chipset delivers noticeably faster performance for app loading and Siri interactions. The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro’s processor is not specified, but Huawei typically prioritizes efficiency over raw power. The S9’s architecture allows for on-device processing of Siri requests, enhancing privacy and speed. While the GT 5 Pro likely offers adequate performance for standard smartwatch functions, the Series 9 provides a smoother, more responsive user experience, particularly for demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro’s strength lies in its battery life, a hallmark of the GT series. While specific mAh is not provided, Huawei consistently delivers multi-day battery performance. The Apple Watch Series 9, despite improvements in efficiency with the S9 chip, typically requires daily charging. The Series 9 supports 0-80% charging in 45 minutes, a convenient feature. The GT 5 Pro offers wireless charging, adding to its convenience, but charging speeds are not specified. The trade-off is clear: the GT 5 Pro prioritizes longevity, while the Series 9 offers faster, albeit more frequent, charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro if you need a smartwatch that can last for days on a single charge, appreciate wireless charging, and aren't heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you prefer a tightly integrated experience with your iPhone, require advanced health monitoring features like ECG and blood oxygen tracking, and value access to a vast library of watchOS apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro handle notifications compared to the Apple Watch Series 9?
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers significantly richer notification support due to its deep integration with iOS and watchOS. You can interact with notifications more fully, reply with dictation or pre-set responses, and manage them efficiently. The GT 5 Pro, while capable of displaying notifications, may offer limited interaction options, particularly with non-Huawei devices.
❓ Is the lack of a dedicated app store a significant drawback for the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro?
Yes, the limited app ecosystem on the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro is a key consideration. The Apple Watch Series 9 benefits from a vast library of watchOS apps, expanding its functionality significantly. While the GT 5 Pro offers essential features, users seeking specialized apps or extensive customization options will find the Apple Watch more appealing.
❓ Does the Apple Watch Series 9's S9 chip offer a noticeable performance improvement over older Apple Watch models?
Absolutely. The Apple S9 SiP in the Series 9 delivers a substantial performance boost, particularly in app loading times and Siri responsiveness. The new Neural Engine also enables on-device processing of Siri requests, enhancing privacy and speed. Users upgrading from older Apple Watch models will experience a noticeably smoother and more fluid user experience.
