Huawei's smartwatch lineup continues to impress, but the Watch Ultimate and Watch 4 Pro represent different tiers of luxury and functionality. Both offer premium design and advanced features, but which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Watch Ultimate is a statement piece with exceptional build quality and diving capabilities, justifying its high price. The Watch 4 Pro offers a more balanced package with excellent health tracking and a more accessible price point. For serious divers, the Ultimate wins; otherwise, the 4 Pro is the smarter choice.
| 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 | 2023, March 23 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2023, June 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, cerramic bezzel, zirconium front case, ceramic back | Glass front, ceramic back, TC4 titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 48.5 x 48.5 x 13 mm (1.91 x 1.91 x 0.51 in) | 47.6 x 47.6 x 12.9 mm (1.87 x 1.87 x 0.51 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 76 g (2.68 oz) | 65 g (2.29 oz) |
| | Swimproof/diving (EN13319, ISO 22810:2010)
100m water resistant
10 ATM
IP68
ECG certified | 50m water resistant
5 ATM
Compatible with standard 22mm straps |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~311 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.5 inches |
| Type | LTPO 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 | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Yes (only for Bluetooth transmission acceleration) | 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) |
| | BDS Satellite Message | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 530 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Expedition Black, Voyage Blue, Green | Titanium |
| Models | CLB-B19 | MDS-AL00, MDS-AL10 |
| Price | About 740 EUR | About 550 EUR |
Huawei Watch Ultimate
- Exceptional build quality (titanium, sapphire crystal)
- Superior diving capabilities (depth sensor, dive modes)
- Longer battery life (typically)
- Premium design and aesthetics
- Larger display
- Very high price
- Lacks pop-up camera
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS
Huawei Watch 4 Pro
- Excellent health tracking features (ECG, SpO2, body temperature)
- Pop-up camera for video calls
- More accessible price point
- Smooth HarmonyOS performance
- Good battery life
- Build quality slightly less premium than Ultimate
- Diving capabilities limited compared to Ultimate
- App ecosystem still developing
Display Comparison
Both watches feature vibrant AMOLED displays, but the Ultimate boasts a slightly larger screen size and potentially higher peak brightness. The 4 Pro's display is still excellent, offering crisp visuals and good outdoor visibility. The Ultimate's sapphire crystal glass offers superior scratch resistance.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a traditional camera. The Watch 4 Pro has a unique pop-up camera for video calls, a feature absent in the Ultimate. This is a significant differentiator for users who frequently make video calls from their wrist.
Performance
Both watches run HarmonyOS and offer smooth performance for everyday tasks and app usage. The Ultimate might have a slight edge in processing power due to potentially more advanced hardware, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most scenarios. Both offer excellent responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Watch Ultimate generally offers slightly longer battery life, especially in smartwatch mode, thanks to its larger battery capacity. However, both watches provide multiple days of battery life with moderate usage. Power saving modes extend battery life significantly on both devices.
Buying Guide
The Huawei Watch Ultimate is for those who demand the absolute best in materials, craftsmanship, and diving features, and are willing to pay a premium. The Huawei Watch 4 Pro is ideal for fitness enthusiasts and users seeking a feature-rich smartwatch with excellent health tracking and a more reasonable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei Watch Ultimate worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious diver or prioritize the absolute best in materials and craftsmanship, then yes. Otherwise, the Watch 4 Pro offers a more compelling value proposition.
❓ Which watch has better health tracking?
The Watch 4 Pro generally has more comprehensive health tracking features, including body temperature monitoring, which the Ultimate lacks.
❓ Can I use these watches with an iPhone?
While they connect via Bluetooth, functionality is limited with iOS devices. Android provides a more seamless experience.
❓ What is the battery life like in real-world use?
Expect 3-5 days of battery life with moderate usage on both watches. Heavy use, like frequent GPS tracking, will reduce battery life.