Knowledgeable's Ranking
Execs
- Distinctive hybrid design
- Shiny AMOLED show
- Spectacular audio
- Vary of monitoring software program
Cons
- Costly
- Heavy to put on when you have smaller wrists
- Points with Huawei Well being App
- Not appropriate for swimming
Our Verdict
The Huawei Watch Buds pushes the bounds of what's doable with expertise, however the novelty of getting a wearable with built-in earphones prices rather a lot.
Value When Reviewed
Not out there within the US
In the event you’re a gadget fanatic who goals of proudly owning a chunk of 007-style tech, then the Huawei Watch Buds could also be for you.
This smartwatch appears like an odd wearable on the floor, however the watch face clicks open to disclose a pair of wi-fi earbuds, that are docked and charging from contained in the watch. These buds include lively noise cancelling (ANC), together with a number of extra surprises.
It's actually a singular product from Huawei, however is that this hybrid wearable truly of any use? And extra importantly, are the options well worth the worth? I’ve been utilizing the Huawei Watch Buds, seeing how this crossover smartwatch performs day-to-day, and I've many ideas.
Design & construct
- Two-in-one smartwatch and earbuds
- Charging case positioned beneath the watch face
- Buds connect through magnets
The Huawei Watch Buds is actually a feat of engineering that hasn’t did not intrigue individuals every time I open the display to indicate off the shock beneath.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The watch face opens through a button beneath the dial and might be positioned anyplace between 10 and 75 levels. I’ve used it loads of instances, and it by no means felt janky or breakable in that point.
The earbuds keep in through magnets on the highest of the face – even holding the watch the wrong way up doesn’t shift them. Beneath that may be a built-in charging case, in order quickly as you shut the watch, the buds will begin juicing. The watch at all times offers you a heads-up when the case is open.
I wasn’t satisfied that I’d discover a want for this product, however a number of days with it proved me improper. I discovered it extraordinarily helpful to not should hunt round in my bag for my earphones throughout my commute. They had been proper there, able to entry with ease – so Huawei has actually nailed the comfort issue.
The wearable
- Heavy for anybody with smaller wrists
- 22mm leather-based strap
- IPX7 ranking when closed
- Not appropriate for swimming
Huawei has made efforts to make the watch look as regular as doable, however on the finish of the day, there's an earbuds case housed in there. As such, that is one chunky wearable.
It weighs 66.5g (excluding the strap), which is twice as heavy as different main wearables just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. This won't be a difficulty for somebody with thicker arms, however I've noodle-like wrists. In consequence, the watch feels cumbersome after lengthy durations of time, corresponding to carrying it in a single day for sleep monitoring.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The thickness additionally proved a difficulty when altering garments – I used to be caught in a precarious place after I by chance clicked open the case and bought it caught on my jumper which was already midway over my head. I’d advise taking the wearable off when altering.
The physique is produced from black chrome steel and comes with an identical 22mm leather-based strap with a brown underside. While it feels snug and appears premium, it isn’t the most suitable choice for train because it feels reasonably grubby after sweating. Nevertheless, that is removable, so you could possibly swap it out for any third-party one with ease.
The AMOLED show measures 1.43in and comes with a 466 x 466 decision. It's vibrant, shiny and clear, and doesn’t appear to retain marks or fingerprints. You'll be able to navigate through the touchscreen show, or through the use of the button on the right-hand aspect which can be used to energy the machine.
The Huawei Watch Buds has two IP scores, because the machine is extra weak when the lid is open. When the watch is closed, it's rated IPX7 – this then drops to IPX4 when it's open. You could possibly in idea bathe with this watch on with the case closed.
Nevertheless, should you get the buds moist in any manner, or get any liquid within the charging case, it's essential to wipe it down with some cotton buds or a paper towel. Which may be annoying should you’re utilizing it for train, as you possibly can’t merely stick them again within the case with out ensuring they’re free from sweat first.
As well as, the Huawei Watch Buds doesn't help swimming in any respect resulting from issues of breaking the buds. As a daily pool-goer, this was a slight disappointment.
The earbuds
- Secure and compact design
- May be managed utilizing faucets on buds, or on the ears
The buds themselves are available in a shiny black end with silver accents and an octagonal design. They weigh solely 4g per bud, measure a tiny 21.8 x 10.3 x 10.3mm and include three interchangeable silicon ear ideas. They’re extraordinarily snug to put on, even for lengthy durations of time.
As they arrive with no stems or wings, I used to be apprehensive about stability. Nevertheless, I by no means had any subject with the buds falling out – they even managed to carry up below a run with minimal motion.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
They arrive with what Huawei dubs as Large-Space Auricle Contact Controls, which means that the contact controls work not solely on the outer fringe of the buds themselves but additionally on the outer and interior edges of your ear.
Surprisingly, I discovered the faucets to be extra constant and comfy on my ear reasonably than on the buds, which typically had been gradual to reply or nestled in my ear just a bit too roughly.
Software program & options
- Runs on HarmonyOS 2
- App choice not as complete as WearOS
The Huawei Watch Buds runs on HarmonyOS 2, and it has many comparable options that Google and Apple wearable customers shall be used to.
You'll be able to both select to show all of the apps in a grid format (the default, which is analogous to the format on Apple Watch), or as an inventory with all the things laid out as you’d discover on Amazfit wearables. I opted for the latter.
Huawei features a vary of apps such because the climate, music (you possibly can load songs on through the Huawei Well being app), alarms and extra. The smartphone app additionally contains Huawei’s personal AppGallery, which has a spread of additional apps that you may obtain to the watch. These embody Petal Maps, a capsule reminder app and a watch controller for Spotify.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The watch can obtain notifications out of your smartphone and work together with some. For instance, you possibly can ship automated responses on WhatsApp, in addition to emojis.
The app choice isn’t fairly as complete as what you’ll discover on WearOS (you received’t discover any Google particular watch apps right here), however it's higher than the providing on Zepp OS.
You'll be able to obtain and take cellphone calls on the Watch Buds, however you’ll should be carrying the buds to do that as no speaker or microphone is included on the watch itself. You may also load music onto the watch to pay attention with out utilizing your smartphone for playback.
Make it possible for the app has permission entry to your smartphone contacts, as in any other case the names will present up as ‘unknown caller’ on the watch.
Health & monitoring
- 80 totally different exercise modes supported
- Messy app format
- Some points with step rely on Android
Apart from taking calls and listening to music, it's also possible to use the Huawei Watch Buds to trace your well being and health ranges.
The watch helps over 80 totally different exercise modes. The usual pre-loaded ones are working, strolling, biking, skipping, cross coaching and utilizing a rowing machine – however you possibly can add a great deal of totally different ones, together with yoga, boxing and tennis.
The watch additionally contains some programs to comply with. I examined out the superior stroll/run setting, which had pre-loaded timers for when to change between the 2 actions. You'll be able to add extra of those programs through the Huawei Well being app – which is obtainable on each iOS and Android.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
This app is unfortunately one of many worst issues concerning the Huawei Watch Buds. Not solely is it stuffed with adverts for numerous Huawei merchandise and software program, nevertheless it additionally isn’t probably the most intuitive to navigate – some options are buried deep throughout the settings, for instance.
You probably have an Android cellphone, the app additionally double counts your steps in your wearable and cellphone and combines them as customary. While the determine on the Huawei Watch Buds itself was correct, the one on my cellphone was wildly out and appeared to suppose that I used to be strolling when taking the tube throughout London (I WISH I might stroll 60,000 steps in a number of hours).
This may be fastened by disabling ‘bodily exercise’ on app permissions. Huawei claims within the app that this isn’t an issue for these on iOS.
The watch additionally options an auto-detect mode for exercises. Nevertheless, I tried to make use of this for strolling and it didn't activate. I’ve contacted Huawei about this to see if this subject shall be fastened.
Bugbears apart, the app does present an honest breakdown of your exercises. Right here you possibly can see the route you travelled (if GPS was enabled), your coronary heart charge all through the exercise and a few further metrics on sure sports activities, like common tempo and cadence on working.
You may also use the Watch Buds for monitoring your coronary heart charge, SpO2 ranges (blood oxygen) and stress. The outcomes I bought had been in-line with the numbers I’ve had from different smartwatches. The wearable additionally shows a median of your coronary heart charge over the past seven days, which is a pleasant contact.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The Huawei Watch Buds may also be used for sleep monitoring. The app breaks down the place you had deep sleep, mild sleep and REM, and flags should you awakened through the evening. It additionally supplies some evaluation of your sleep based mostly on the time you went to mattress. You may also add in a guide sleep file, do you have to neglect to put on your wearable.
Once more, these scores all appeared appropriate, with the watch figuring out any nasty disturbances I had through the evening. The knowledge on the app is sort of complete for this part and backs up the claims with sources from medical establishments.
Sound high quality
- Spectacular audio high quality
- Interchangeable left and proper buds
- So-so ANC
The headphones on the Huawei Watch Buds impressively (for his or her dimension) include a Full-Vary Planar Diaphragm Unit, the identical tech seen on the Huawei FreeBuds Professional 2. That is mixed with a flat voice coil and a quad magnetic construction. Based on Huawei, all this expertise leads to “transparency, smoothness, wealthy particulars, and deep sound”.
They arrive with a frequency vary of 20Hz-20kHz, which is in-keeping with most different earbuds and matches the theoretical human listening to vary. In addition they produce as much as 104dB by way of quantity. You get Dynamic EQ mode on the watch, which may increase the bass, treble and voices on audio.
In actual phrases, the buds are a deal with for day-to-day listening, particularly if you tweak the settings to go well with what you’re listening to. Bass has a pleasant thump to it with digital songs corresponding to Sebastian Bohm’s remix of Blue Monday – particularly when it's boosted. Different devices corresponding to strings and synths additionally shine properly.
The standard is a bit on the muddy aspect for rock music, however that may be a frequent subject with many earbuds. Deep Cuts by You Me At Six has clear vocals, and the devices are all identifiable from each other. Vocals on podcasts additionally sound sharp and detailed.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Arguably probably the most distinctive factor concerning the buds is that they've Adaptive Identification Expertise. Offering that they're correctly synced, the audio channels will robotically appropriate to allow them to be used interchangeably. I.e. you could possibly take out the left-hand bud and use it in your proper ear.
The buds do that by sensing motion. So, should you choose up the right-hand earbud and put it in your left ear, Huawei asks customers to softly nod or shake your head. The earbuds will then notify you that they're robotically synced – that is between 5 and 15 seconds for me (although Huawei asks to present it as much as 30 seconds). Be aware that you may’t do that efficiently should you’re mendacity down or taking a cellphone name.
When listening to Bohemian Rhapsody, I observed that the channels did robotically change to appropriate ones after switching and ready for them to synch. I had one or two separate events the place the audio appeared to sound barely off-kilter, however this was just for a break up second.
The earbuds include each lively noise cancelling (ANC) and ambient modes. While ANC does block out some stage of noise, it’s not fairly on the identical stage as rival earphones. Travelling on the underground, for instance, nonetheless produces some stage of background noise.
This can be all the way down to the smaller dimension of the buds, which simply don’t present the identical stage of acoustic seal as a standalone set of headphones.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
As well as, ambient mode is helpful for if you want your wits about you (corresponding to crossing a highway), however you’ll nonetheless want your quantity to be at a low stage to listen to conversations.
Twin mics are inbuilt on the buds so you possibly can take calls on them. I examined these out on busy roads, and while my voice was largely clear, it was barely on the tinny aspect and never all background noise was omitted.
Battery life & charging
- Common three days utilization on smartwatch
- As much as 4 hours of listening on buds on one cost
- Simply over one hour to cost from flat to full
Huawei claims a median of round three days’ value of utilization with the Watch Buds, and I discovered this quantity to be largely correct. The earbuds themselves have round 4 hours of listening time with out ANC enabled, and round three hours with this function turned on.
The buds cost contained in the watch robotically, until you allow the power-saving mode through the battery settings which ought to lengthen the watch’s life to round per week. I observed that when the watch dropped beneath 10%, it stopped charging the buds.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The fast settings mode reveals what share every bud is charged, in addition to the cost of the watch itself.
While some wearables from the likes of Amazfit supply for much longer battery life, this can be a first rate vary that truly outpaces some main rivals such because the Google Pixel Watch. That’s all of the extra spectacular if you take note of that the earbuds are continually charging when they're docked inside.
Huawei’s magnetic charger juices the watch from flat to full in simply over an hour, which is far faster than I used to be anticipating.
Value & availability
The Huawei Watch Buds price £449/€499 and can be found to pre-order now from the Huawei retailer. It goes on sale on 1 March 2023, and shall be out there from Amazon UK in mid-March. Like different Huawei merchandise, it isn’t out there within the US.
That is an costly smartwatch, which is comprehensible contemplating its distinctive hybrid nature. Nonetheless, you could possibly simply purchase two separate merchandise for a similar worth (or cheaper) and get higher high quality general – together with the Apple Watch SE and AirPods 3.
In the event you’re a tech fanatic who values comfort, then it's nonetheless value contemplating the Huawei Watch Buds, as there isn’t something prefer it available on the market. Nevertheless, this isn’t a crossover product that I can see catching on anytime quickly.
You'll be able to take a look at our round-ups of the most effective smartwatches and the most effective true wi-fi earbuds.
Verdict
The Huawei Watch Buds is a cool piece of tech, there’s no denying it. The {hardware} on the watch is spectacular, and the earbuds are each inconspicuous and comfy. Plus, each the audio and health/sleep monitoring efficiency are largely fairly good.
There are some use circumstances for it – it eliminates looking out round on your earbuds in your bag and is particularly helpful for commuting and lightweight train out and about.
Nevertheless, it's let down by its cumbersome construct and messy app. Plus, it’s arduous to justify one thing so area of interest at such a excessive price ticket. You could possibly simply go for two nice separate merchandise for much less, and get a way more snug and slimmer smartwatch while you’re at it.
Specs
- Watch measurements: 47 x 47.5 x 15mm
- Watch weight: 66.5g (with out strap)
- 22mm leather-based strap
- 1.43in round (466×466) AMOLED show
- Stainless-steel casing
- Coronary heart charge sensor
- 80 exercise modes
- IPX7 ranking (closed) IPX4 ranking (open)
- Watch battery: Common 3 days, as much as 7 seven days on energy saving mode
- Wi-fi charging
- Compatibility: Android & iOS
- Buds measurements: 21.8 x 10.3 x 10.3mm
- Buds weight: 4g per bud
- Full-Vary Planar Diaphragm Unit
- ANC and ambient mode
- Put on detection
- Interchangeable left and proper channels
- Contact controls on buds and ears
- Charging throughout the hidden watch case
- 4 hours listening time with out ANC, 3 hours listening time with ANC
- Black and silver end on buds