Tag Archives: smartwatch

Wear Your Real Watch: This Case Turns Apple Watch into a Mini Handheld

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Full smartphones often feel like overkill, but the Apple Watch on your wrist is still awkward for anything beyond quick glances. There’s also the complication of wanting to wear a mechanical or analog watch without giving up notifications, Apple Pay, and quick replies. Stacking both on one arm feels ridiculous, and choosing between connectivity and wearing the watch you actually like is the kind of small annoyance that lingers.

elrow’s miniphone Standard and miniphone Ultra are 3D-printed cases that turn an Apple Watch into a narrow, palm-sized device with a lanyard. The Standard fits the 46mm Series 10 and 11, while the Ultra fits the Apple Watch Ultra 1, 2, and 3. Both are about 95mm tall, with textured translucent bodies, visible screws, and an open back so you can charge without disassembling the case.

Designer: elrow industries

Leaving your iPhone in a bag and carrying the miniphone instead means you still get calls, messages, and Apple Pay, but you are not staring at a six-inch screen every time a notification pings. Holding the watch in a slightly larger body makes tapping icons feel more like using an old iPod than pecking at your wrist, and clipping it to a pocket means it stays out of sight until you need it.

The translucent PLA+ on the Standard and PETG on the Ultra, textured surfaces, and stainless or black-coated steel hardware give the cases a rugged, workshop vibe. The integrated lanyard hole and included paracord with an orange bead make it easy to carry without pockets. It feels more like a small tool than a fashion case, which suits the “tool ↔ watch” idea of keeping your mechanical watch on.

Moving the watch off your wrist means that continuous heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking are basically gone. You are also told to turn off wrist detection for better battery and notifications, which changes how Apple Pay, auto-lock, and some security features behave. Activity rings and step counts become unreliable when the watch lives in a pocket or on a lanyard, and fall detection may not work as intended.

WatchOS assumes a wrist, from raise-to-wake gestures to how workouts and reminders work. In a miniphone case, some of that feels off or becomes less useful. You are treating the Apple Watch as a tiny connected widget for notifications and quick controls, not as a health tracker logging your life, which is fine if that is what you wanted in the first place.

The miniphone cases make the most sense if you already use the Apple Watch as a lightweight communicator and remote, not as a medical device. If you love wearing a mechanical watch while still having a pocketable slice of watchOS nearby, or you want less phone without going fully offline, a 3D-printed case that trades sensors for simplicity is a strangely logical, if niche, step.

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Pebble Round 2 Fixes the Bezel and Battery After an 11-Year Wait

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The 2015 Pebble Time Round stole a lot of hearts by looking like a real analog watch and still being a Pebble, but it shipped with a tiny screen, a huge bezel, and battery life that lagged behind its siblings. It remained the thinnest smartwatch ever made, yet always felt like a beautiful compromise waiting for a second chance, the kind of product people kept wearing despite its flaws because it looked better than anything else on their wrist.

Pebble Round 2 is that second chance, part of the broader Pebble relaunch. It keeps the same ultra-slim stainless-steel profile, just 8.1 mm thick, but fixes the two big complaints: the bezel is gone, and the battery now lasts around two weeks. It is framed as the most stylish Pebble ever, but this time without the asterisk or the mental math about whether style was worth the compromises.

Designer: Pebble

The new 1.3-inch color e-paper display covers the entire face, 260 × 260 pixels at 283 DPI, twice the resolution of the original. The always-on, reflective screen still behaves like a classic Pebble, readable in sunlight and gentle indoors, but finally looks proportionally right. Wrap that in a stainless-steel frame, and you get something that reads as a watch first, gadget second, which has always been the goal.

The two-week estimated battery life, made possible by newer Bluetooth chips and Pebble’s frugal OS, brings the Round in line with the rest of the lineup. Interaction stays very Pebble, four physical buttons you can use without looking, plus a touchscreen you do not have to rely on. There is a backlight for night glances, but the default state is that calm, always-on face that does not glow at you during meetings.

The software side stays fun, quirky, and open source. PebbleOS powers everything, with an open-source mobile app that works with iOS and Android. The Pebble app store has over 15,000 apps and watchfaces, and the SDK is there if you want to build your own. Health tracking covers steps and sleep, enough for everyday awareness without pretending to be a hardcore fitness or sports watch.

Dual microphones handle speech input, from interacting with AI agents to replying to messages on Android, with iOS support coming in some regions. Water resistance is targeted at 30 m, enough for daily life. Style-wise, you get matte black with a 20 mm band, brushed silver in 14 mm or 20 mm, and polished rose gold in 14 mm, all with quick-release bands and room for standard straps.

Pebble Round 2 speaks to people who miss glancing at a watch that is always on, who like the idea of weeks-long battery life and tactile buttons, and who want something that looks good with a shirt cuff as well as a hoodie. It is not chasing the latest sensor arms race; it is doubling down on the idea that a smartwatch can still feel like a watch, just one that happens to run PebbleOS in 2026, with a full-face display and enough battery to forget about charging for 14 days.

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Why Smart Rings Track Your Health Better And Are Quietly Replacing Other Fitness Trackers

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As technology evolves, new gadgets constantly emerge, and one such device that has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives is the fitness tracker. Over time, such devices have become essential in tracking our health and fitness goals. However, fitness trackers have now leaped forward, transforming into the smart ring. These sleek, electronic bands worn on the finger act as wearable devices, just like jewelry, but can monitor health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, oxygen level, exercise monitoring, and more.

The global smart ring market was valued at USD 340.9 million in 2024 and is expected to expand from USD 416.9 million in 2025 to USD 2,525.5 million by 2032, reflecting a growth rate of 29.3% during the forecast period. Smart rings offer a more compact alternative to larger devices, yet provide powerful tracking capabilities and are often launched and backed by premium brands.

How does a smart ring work?

Smart rings are conventional rings that are equipped with different types of sensors and advanced technologies like Bluetooth and Near-Field Communication (NFC) used to monitor health and fitness metrics. Since the smart ring does not have screens, they sync wirelessly with smartphones or tablets, allowing users to access and analyze their health data in real time easily.

Many smart rings also feature haptic signals that vibrate the ring during a call or notification when the paired device is out of range, ensuring users stay connected. This combination of convenience and functionality makes smart rings an effortless way to track and manage health information on the go.

The RingConn Gen 2 is a smart ring that stands out with its sleek design, AI-powered health tracking, and impressive battery life. With a weight of just 2g and 2mm thick, it’s the lightest and thinnest smart ring on the market, providing precise health monitoring through sensors like 3D accelerometers, PPG (photoplethysmography), and temperature sensors. By tracking key metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood oxygen levels, it offers a complete picture of your well-being.

The RingConn app syncs this data, including stress levels and sleep patterns, with no hidden subscription fees. One of its most notable features is AI-powered sleep tracking, which monitors breathing, sleep stages, and overall efficiency to help detect issues like sleep apnea. With up to 12 days of battery life and 150 days of use with its charging case, the RingConn Gen 2 delivers comprehensive health tracking, empowering you to live a healthier, more informed life.

What are the different types of sensors integrated into a smart ring?

  • The accelerometer and gyroscope sensor is a motion sensor that tracks body movement, such as steps taken, distance covered, and calories burned.
  • The SpO2 or Peripheral Oxygen Saturation sensor gauges the oxygen levels in the blood.
  • The Electrodermal Activity (EDA) sensor measures sweat production on the finger and provides insights into stress levels and emotional states.
  • NTC thermistor sensors monitor changes in body temperature.
  • Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor uses LED lights on the skin to measure variations in blood flow. It analyses the reflected light to track variations in your heart rate and blood oxygen levels.

Together, these sensors work in tandem to offer comprehensive data for health and fitness tracking.

The Ultrahuman Ring combines sleek design with advanced health tracking, offering insights into your overall well-being. Unlike traditional wearables, it doesn’t just measure basic metrics like heart rate and steps—it interprets them into actionable insights. With features like the Movement Index, Sleep Index, and Recovery Score, it provides a deeper understanding of your daily energy expenditure, sleep quality, and stress levels, helping you make informed decisions for better health.

Crafted with durability and style in mind, the Ultrahuman Ring is made from a titanium outer shell and is coated with Tungsten carbide, and a hypoallergenic medical-grade interior for providing maximum comfort to the user. These rings are available in a variation of elegant colors, they are water-resistant and designed to withstand everyday activities. The Ultrahuman Ring offers a compact, fashionable way to monitor your health and improve your lifestyle without the bulk of traditional wearables.

Advantages of a Smart Ring

The smart ring is a convenient alternative to smartwatches, with the key advantage being its portability as it allows you to remain hands-free while wearing jewelry. You can wear the smart ring comfortably even while sleeping, as its compact size ensures it doesn’t cause any discomfort.

The smart ring is designed for optimal data collection, and many models are made from non-corrosive materials like zirconia or feature a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating. Additionally, the smart ring is purpose-driven as it removes the distractions of extra features typically found in smartwatches, making it perfect for those who need a device focused on specific tasks.

The Ring One represents a radical departure from bulky wrist-worn wearables, shrinking smartwatch functionality into an elegant piece of finger jewelry that’s 80% smaller yet delivers 99% of the features. This sleek titanium ring disguises powerful health-tracking technology beneath its minimalist exterior, monitoring your heart rate, HRV, SpO2, blood pressure, skin temperature, and all four sleep stages with research-grade optical PPG sensors. What makes it truly ingenious is the rotating Turn Wheel that replaces the traditional smartwatch crown—simply twist the ring’s bezel to cycle through workout tracking, sleep analysis, NFC payments, and even car unlocking modes. It’s the perfect solution for those who want comprehensive health insights without the screen-induced distraction or the wrist real estate commitment of traditional smartwatches.

Beyond its health-tracking prowess, the Ring One seamlessly integrates into your digital lifestyle with thoughtful features that extend its utility. The NFC functionality transforms it into a tap-to-pay device that stores all your cards and enables secure transactions at any POS terminal, while Digital Key 2.0 support lets you unlock compatible vehicles with a simple gesture. Despite packing accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, and wireless connectivity into a hypoallergenic Grade-2 titanium shell that’s 10x lighter than a smartwatch, it still manages an impressive 7-day battery life with real-time data syncing. The proprietary wireless charging dock even includes a “find my ring” tweeter—because losing something this small and powerful would be a tragedy. Available in finishes from understated steel to luxe 18-carat gold, the Ring One proves that the future of wearables isn’t on your wrist—it’s on your finger.

Disadvantages of a Smart Ring

The main disadvantage of a smart ring is its limited functionality and lack of a screen, meaning it can’t fully replace a smartwatch or smartphone. Additionally, smart rings typically have small batteries, which can limit their usage time. When purchased online, the ring may not fit perfectly as it might not be tailored to your finger size.

High-quality smart rings can also be expensive due to the advanced technology required to pack so many features into such a compact device. They are exposed to water, dust, sweat, and food particles, so regular maintenance is necessary. Another factor is that these rings must be compatible with existing devices to get real-time data.

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR takes a more holistic approach and emphasizes the importance of sleep, recovery, stress management, and even factors like coffee consumption in our daily lives. Designed to be lightweight and comfortable, it provides a seamless experience, tracking vital metrics like sleep efficiency, restfulness, and consistency. The ring also measures stress levels through heart rate variability (HRV) and skin temperature, offering personalized recommendations to help you manage stress effectively improve your overall well-being, and live a healthier, more balanced life.

What sets the Ultrahuman Ring AIR apart is its range of advanced features, such as Circadian Phase Alignment, which optimizes your sleep-wake cycle, and the Stimulant Window Recommender to suggest the best times for coffee. With a durable titanium shell coated in tungsten carbide, the ring is built to last, with water resistance that allows you to wear it during swims or shallow dives. the Ultrahuman Ring AIR offers up to six days of battery life, ensures continuous health tracking, helps you make informed decisions to improve your overall well-being and live a healthier, more balanced life.

Smart ring technology is surely revolutionizing health monitoring by offering a discreet, compact, and efficient way to track vital health metrics. With advanced sensors and AI-powered insights, these rings empower users to monitor their heart rate, sleep patterns, and stress levels, promoting a healthier lifestyle with both convenience and style

The post Why Smart Rings Track Your Health Better And Are Quietly Replacing Other Fitness Trackers first appeared on Yanko Design.

Retro devices reimagined with fun 16-bit displays

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Retro designs in technology continue to be a strong trend, from retro consoles to instant cameras to record players. Most of these products try to update the classic aesthetics to modern standards, reinterpreting them without straying too far from the original. In other words, they’re mostly modern devices simply paying homage to the past.

There might be times, however, the original designs still have a lot of pull, especially for eyes that have never seen them before. This series of concepts tries to imagine some of those with completely classic designs, save for the addition of 16-bit displays and a splash of 80s colors that make them funky and hip in their own unique ways.

Desigers: Ahmed Esmael, Marwan Abbass

1

Music streaming has pretty much replaced the radio for most people, but the medium hasn’t completely died out. Radios, however, have become rarer outside of vehicles, and most designs these days tend to make the device almost invisible. This concept, in contrast, is as loud as it can be, both in sound and in appearance with its pink body and clashing color combinations.

What sets it apart, however, is the square display beside the circular front speaker. It’s not a modern touch screen for controlling the radio, but more of a useless but fun embellishment to the experience. It displays a 16-bit video that looks at home in games of that era, rendering an accompanying visual to the audio, whether it makes sense or not.

Very few people these days listen to cassette tapes. Unlike vinyl records, there’s almost no special audio quality to these small rectangular containers for brown tape that all too often gets tangled up. That said, some people still have a collection of these tapes, and this cassette player concept adds a unique twist to the device without twisting those tapes.

The color scheme for the device this time is a faded yellow, complete with green streaks of corrosion. But just like the radio above, the flat tape player integrates a screen that can play 16-bit videos. Although it doesn’t serve any practical function, it adds a bit of fun flavor to the music being played, making you want to look at the device even when it’s lying on the table.

The record player in this Timeless Treasure collection steps farther back in time, adopting the form of a 40s gramophone. Its green, flower-shaped sound horn looks like copper that has aged over time, while the boxy platform has a mix of industrial and Art Deco details. Only the dominantly yellow color motif looks out of place and out of time, giving it an odd anachronistic flavor.

The large 16-bit display is again the center of attraction here, playing a pixelated video of an opera or orchestra performance. It could be related to the track being played, though it’s more likely a very generic clip for any and all kinds of records. It would probably be nice if each video was customized for different kinds of music, perhaps using some AI magic to make it happen.

Old-school audio devices aren’t the only ones getting this 80s retro facelift, though a watch is hardly that old to qualify. More like an old-fashioned kids’ digital watch, this particular concept adds a lo-fi feel to this somewhat modern wearable, particularly when an alarm plays. Like the rest of the collection, it’s a fun touch that doesn’t add any functional advantage but gives the designs a new flavor.

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The Nothing Watch (Ultra) may not have a Glyph Interface, but it makes up with a minimal Glyph OS

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While Nothing doesn’t have a smartwatch in its portfolio, it certainly could add one – considering CMF’s Watch Pro already set the perfect foundation. Meet the Nothing Watch (Ultra) concept – a watch that brings the company’s minimalism-meets-fun approach to the world of smartwatches.

Designed by Abdelrahman Shaapan, the Watch (Ultra) takes the smartwatch to its logical next level, with a design that bridges digital experiences with a fairly analog-inspired design. The watch face is a mirror of the phone’s analog Glyph Interface, while the watch itself comes not with one button but three (including the crown of course).

Designer: Abdelrahman Shaapan

The Nothing Watch (Ultra) blurs the lines between Nothing and CMF, with a design that combines black and orange. Sure, with a watch this minimal, you really can’t do much with transparency, which is why the Watch (Ultra) ditches transparency entirely. It comes with a solid metal frame, supported by an Alpine Loop-inspired band that secures the watch around your wrist.

The Glyph goes missing too, but it manifests itself in the form of a Glyph OS – using white bars an strips to turn timekeeping into a Nothing-powered meaningful experience. The digital display has a minimal clock face, and a Glyph ring around the center that tells you both your battery level as well as the kilocalories burnt during the day. Sort of like activity rings on the Apple Watch, but interpreted differently.

The Watch (Ultra) concept leaves a lot to be desired – especially in the form of context and detail. The designer added a fair bit of detail in the form of a watch body with pushers and a crown on one side, and side-firing speakers on the other – but the OS still only shows just one screen. Maybe a little more detail in terms of a more comprehensive Glyph OS experience could really seal the deal – and although it might be too much to ask, I could DEFINITELY use one transparent variant!

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Garmin’s smallest GPS smartwatch ‘Lily 2 Active’ is designed for active women

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It is not easy for new players to penetrate the otherwise competitive smartwatch arena. But Garmin is no outsider. Arguably, it is amid the top few in the industry. No wonder, the GPS-enabled consumer tech specialist is increasing its profile with the addition of a women-first watch that’s stylish, features built-in GPS, and comes with all the health and wellness features of a connected smartwatch.

Called the Lily 2 Active, this is the smallest GPS-enabled smartwatch in the Garmin family. Perhaps for some that could mean the Lily 2 Active cuts corners, but it’s far from the fact. It’s a small, but fashionable feature-focused smartwatch that comes with nine days of battery life – if you are not using the GPS. With the GPS running all the time, the watch will trim the usage down to nine hours before requiring a recharge.

Designer: Garmin

Of course, the Lily 2 Active has been created with a primary emphasis on women’s health tracking features. So, the watch can be used to keep track of the menstrual cycles, pregnancies, and also monitor the different sleep stages. Small but durable the watch has a metal casing and a hidden display that comes to life on a tap or with movement of the wrist.

The watch is provided with two push buttons to select activities or toggle between screens. It comes preinstalled with workout features for cardio, yoga, tennis, dance fitness, strength training and more. Interestingly, the user can download the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and yoga sessions to view the workout on the Lily 2 Active’s screen. With the videos playing directly on the wrist, you can ensure to follow the workout correctly even when you are outdoors without access to a larger screen device.

Since it is designed with all the health monitoring and wellness features, the smartwatch allows the wearer to keep track of their different sleep stages along with the continuous monitoring of the heart rate, Pulse Ox2, stress, and respiration. It accumulates information about the user’s night sleep and grants insight into their sleep quality with other wellness details in the morning. Built-in GPS can keep track of your outdoor activities, including walks, runs and more.

Lily 2 Active is compatible with Garmin’s Connect smartphone app and lets you make contactless payments using Garmin Pay. The watch works error-free with iOS and Android and comes in three color variants: Lunar Gold with Bone silicon strap, Silver with a Purple Jasmine silicon strap, and Jasper Green with a Jasper Green silicone strap for $300 apiece.

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This Optimus Prime inspired smartwatch borrows its body frame design from the Cybertruck

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The market for smartwatches is flush open with brands and fresh designs giving users plenty of options. While all of them stay within the practical boundaries to appeal to a larger set of audience, there’s always scope for something extravagant that Gen-Z prefers.

This is the A_001 PowerWatch concept inspired by the action Japanese metal heroes like Jaspion, Jiban, and Winspector. The wearable concept challenges the mainstream smartwatch designs, both in form and function with its radical shape and operation. All these prime-time series back in the 80s and bleeding into the early 90s have gripped the Japanese audience. Later on, the craze spread worldwide and inspired other similar adaptations.

Designer: Braz de Pina

The color theme of this smartwatch is heavily influenced by the tokusatsu and Winspector, in the red, silver and blue hues. Those who are not very much familiar with these predated action heroes will gravitate towards comparing the watch’s design to the Transformers. I had a flash of the Optimus Prime when I first laid my eyes on this wearable. There are big knobs on either side of the A_001 PowerWatch to actuate inputs for menu controls and app functions. To read on the big screen that attains a Tesla Cybertruck form cannot be ignored. Yes, now you see that familiar CyberTruck body in this wearable!

The smartwatch has a dedicated scroll button on one side to go through the content and make the desired selections. In the AOD the information displayed includes current temperature, date and time. Speakers on the sides make sure you don’t have to reach out for your portable speakers when listening to music or even taking calls in noisy environments. The watch is built like a tank and is not for weak or small wrists, no puns intended!

The metal body of the beefy yet edgy smartwatch is secured by the Velcro strap that indicates its rough use. Carrying such a big watch is not going to be everybody’s privilege and if it ever makes it to the real world, Elon Musk will fancy wearing this.

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Apple Clear Series reimagines AirPods Max, AirPods Pro and Watch Ultra in transparent skin

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Nothing brought a new dimension to the world of gadgets with their Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbuds. This gave young listeners a reason to show off their audio accessory having see-through aesthetics. The visible hardware of the earbuds and then later on the Phone (1) smartphone created quite a buzz before launch for the invisible aesthetics.

Beats got hooked on the idea and released their version of transparent Studio Buds + TWS. The craze for gadgets with visible innards is obvious as they look cool, and I believe, it’s not just another fad. The Apple subsidiary owned by the Cupertino giant since 2014 might give the big daddy some inspiration for a transparent series of gadgets fit for Gen-Z. Yes, of course, we are in the concept realm on this one!

Designer: Vadzim Sadouski

Dubbed the Apple Clear Series, this concept design reimagines the suite of Apple products with see-through aesthetics. Got bored with your AirPods Max in Blue color? The AirPods Max Clear are meant for you, with the dope transparent cans that expose the rear portion of the earcups. Here we are not talking about Open-Back headphones, but rather ones with the cups covered in a thick layer of acrylic fiber for structural strength. The see-through design continues to the headband with cushioning at the bottom for comfort.

Then there is the AirPods Pro Clear which more or less looks inspired by the sister brand Beats. Of course, we would have loved more renders to let loose our imagination but the designer has created just the frontal view of the earbuds. Just like the transparent headphones, the third proposed gadget is the Apple Watch Ultra Clear with a transparent shell encapsulating the watch. Interestingly the rubber strap is also wrapped in the see-through material.

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Alien-inspired smartwatch concept eschews conventional design for more organic aesthetics

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Smartwatches today have evolved from miniature smartphones on our wrists to miniature health clinics on our wrists. The design of these wearable devices has finally settled down to a handful of designs, most of which try to mimic the appearance of classic timepieces. There is, however, still plenty of room for exploration, for designs that redefine the product category or challenge the status quo. This design concept, for example, tries to look farther ahead into the future, when conventions no longer hold water and where today’s unfamiliar, alien aesthetics would ironically look more natural and more human.

Designer: Olga Orel

Smartwatches had a hard time finding its niche in the market. They were too technological to match the majesty of mechanical watches, but also too underpowered to be the multi-purpose wrist-worn communicators of science fiction. In the end, smartwatches today adopted the core design convention of traditional wristwatches, be they the sporty kind or the luxurious timepieces. But does it really have to be that way? Do smartwatches need to look like, well, watches?

The ALIEN concept gives an empathic “no,” embracing a design language that is more organic and ironically closer to us than its extraterrestrial name would suggest. Its asymmetrical and amorphous design, not to mention the matching domed display, gives it that otherworldly character seemingly pulled out from some 90s sci-fi flick, with its eerie green glow and dark brushed metal surface. Of course, there’s nothing to stop a manufacturer from using other color motifs or materials, but it would still look alien compared to common smartwatches.

The irony is that, freed from the restrictions of circular and square watches, ALIEN can take on shapes that better conform to people’s wrists, offering a more natural, more ergonomic, and more pleasing curvature that is more human-centric. Even the buttons seem to organically grow out of the watch’s body rather than just jutting out like an artificial add-on. And unlike most smartwatches today, it isn’t content to have just one button but can have as many as four in each corner.

This unconventional design also changes the user experience, though not always in good ways. Because the shape of the screen is non-standard, there is more flexibility for different UI elements and arrangements, but it can also make things more confusing as well. Humans are creatures of habit, and smartwatches try to offer a uniform experience across different models or even platforms to make it easier for owners to switch from one watch to the next. That is, unfortunately, one of the disadvantages of this concept design, making the interaction and experience a little foreign and, well, alien.

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Huawei Watch GT5 Pro Hands-On Review – Where Luxury Meets Functionality

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PROS:


  • Huawei TruSense System: Advanced health tracking, including blood pressure monitoring and ECG

  • Long battery life of up to 14 days

  • Premium materials like titanium and ceramic for durability

  • Compatible with Android and iOS devices

CONS:


  • Higher price tag, especially for premium models

  • Limited third-party app support compared to competitors

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro blends sleek design with powerful performance, effortlessly fitting into both active and professional lifestyles.
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Huawei continues to redefine what we expect from smartwatches with the Watch GT5 Pro. Building on the successes of the GT4 and GT3 Pro, this latest iteration seamlessly blends premium materials with advanced health tracking features. Whether you choose the titanium or ceramic model, the GT5 Pro caters to users who value fitness and aesthetics without compromise.

Designer: Huawei

First Impressions: High-End Design with Purpose

From the moment I strapped the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro onto my wrist, it was clear this wasn’t your average smartwatch. The sleek design focused squarely on the timepiece, exudes luxury and sophistication. I had the pleasure of testing the 46mm titanium model and the 42mm ceramic version—each leaving a distinct and lasting impression.

Huawei Watch GT5 Pro Titanium Alloy

The titanium alloy version feels robust and is tailored for those who lead active lifestyles. At the same time, the ceramic model is lighter and more polished, designed to complement any outfit—be it formal or casual. Both models showcase Huawei’s meticulous attention to detail, from the intricately designed watch faces to the seamless integration of premium materials.

Design and Build Quality: Refined Craftsmanship with Bold Details

Huawei’s design philosophy shines through in the GT5 Pro, combining cutting-edge technology with exquisite craftsmanship. The titanium alloy and ceramic models feature sapphire glass, offering excellent scratch resistance while enhancing clarity and durability.

Titanium Model: Rugged Yet Sophisticated

The 46mm titanium version strikes a perfect balance between ruggedness and elegance. Ideal for those who want a watch that can handle outdoor adventures and formal settings, the titanium case is crafted from aerospace-grade material, providing exceptional strength without excessive weight. Its brushed finish adds a touch of class, while the titanium link bracelet feels smooth against the skin and is easily adjustable for a perfect fit.

Despite its larger size, the titanium model feels light enough. Thoughtful weight distribution ensures comfort during all-day wear. The bold, masculine design transitions seamlessly from professional meetings to outdoor pursuits, offering style and durability.

Ceramic Model: Subtle Sophistication

The 42mm ceramic model is all about refinement. Building on the design language of the GT3 Pro Ceramic Edition, Huawei has perfected its nanocrystal ceramic manufacturing process. This meticulous seven-day process results in a flawless, mirror-like, durable, and eye-catching finish.

The ceramic model feels noticeably lighter than its titanium counterpart. The ceramic bezel and sapphire glass blend seamlessly, creating an uninterrupted surface that enhances the watch’s minimalist aesthetic. The white ceramic strap enhances the watch’s elegance and provides all-day comfort, making it ideal for any occasion.

Dynamic Visual Experience: Light and Shadow Effects

One of the GT5 Pro’s most striking design features is its use of geometric shapes to create a captivating light and shadow effect. Light dances across its surfaces as the watch moves under different lighting conditions, adding depth and dimension to the design. This effect is particularly pronounced on the titanium version, where the brushed finish accentuates the watch’s premium look.

The crown on both models is intricately designed with a knurled texture, providing a tactile and responsive experience when adjusting settings. These details and the nanocrystal ceramic rear case reflect Huawei’s commitment to balancing aesthetic appeal with functional durability.

Comfort and Fit: Ergonomics Perfected

Both the titanium and ceramic models are designed with ergonomics in mind. The curved cases and flexible straps ensure a snug fit without discomfort, even during extended wear. The titanium model offers a reassuring weight that balances comfort and presence, while the ceramic model is lighter and stays cool against the skin.

Strap Variety: Tailored to Your Style

Huawei has introduced a variety of strap options for the GT5 Pro, allowing users to customize the watch to match their style and occasion:

  • Fluoroelastomer straps for a sporty, durable feel.
  • Ocean-recycled nylon straps highlight sustainability with colors inspired by ocean waves.
  • Composite leather straps and Milanese straps for those seeking a more formal and fashionable look.

These options enhance the GT5 Pro’s versatility, enabling it to adapt from a casual day out to a formal evening event effortlessly.

Display and Usability: Crisp, Clear, and Responsive

Huawei Watch GT5 Pro

The AMOLED display—measuring 1.43 inches on the titanium model and 1.32 inches on the ceramic—offers a sharp 466 x 466 pixel resolution. Everything from fitness data to notifications appears vibrant and clear, even in direct sunlight. The touchscreen responsiveness is smooth, ensuring seamless navigation through the watch’s features.

The always-on display is especially useful during workouts or when quick access to time and notifications is needed. It reduces the need to wake the screen manually, making interactions more fluid and saving time.

Huawei TruSense System: Comprehensive Health Monitoring and Insights

Huawei’s TruSense System represents a breakthrough in health and wellness tracking, offering users a sophisticated approach to monitoring physical and emotional wellbeing. Built on a multi-channel optical architecture, the system significantly enhances the accuracy of core health metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen (SpO2), and respiratory rate. Substantial investments in optical, electrical, and material sciences make this possible, allowing the sensors to overcome traditional challenges related to skin tone variations, wrist sizes, and environmental factors like temperature and humidity.

Leveraging this advanced architecture, the TruSense System monitors over 60 health and fitness indicators, giving users a holistic view of their wellbeing. A standout feature is its sophisticated sleep tracking, which offers detailed insights into light, deep, and REM sleep cycles. This in-depth analysis enables users to understand their sleep quality better and identify improvement areas. These combined features contribute to a comprehensive understanding of personal wellness, positioning TruSense as one of the most advanced systems in wearable health technology today.

By integrating physical and emotional health tracking, Huawei’s TruSense offers an unmatched combination of functionality and precision, helping users stay in tune with their bodies and minds daily.

Advanced Optical Sensing

The TruSense System integrates advanced sensors with state-of-the-art algorithms, delivering consistent and reliable readings. This precision is vital for users who depend on real-time data to fine-tune their performance and recovery. SpO2 monitoring provides swift feedback on oxygen saturation—a crucial cardiovascular and respiratory health indicator. Meanwhile, the often-neglected respiratory rate tracking offers valuable insights into how efficiently your body regulates breathing patterns across various activities.

Huawei Watch GT5 Pro

Emotional WellBeing and Management

Beyond physical health, the Huawei Watch GT 5 Series incorporates a unique emotional wellbeing assistant. This feature leverages heart rate variability (HRV) and autonomic nervous system data to assess and track stress levels. During periods of high stress, such as intense workdays or emotional challenges, the watch detects physiological changes and provides actionable insights. Whether you’re feeling happy, sad, or at peace, it records your emotional state, helping you better understand and manage your wellbeing. The built-in breathing exercises help manage stress in real time, guiding users through calming practices that restore balance.

The emotional wellbeing assistant goes beyond simple stress tracking, offering a holistic view of your mental state. By integrating daily stress fluctuations with physical indicators, the system provides a comprehensive picture of your overall wellbeing. Over time, it identifies patterns, helping you recognize triggers and develop healthier emotional habits. However, this feature is currently only available in China and isn’t offered in the European market.

Sleep Monitoring and Advanced Sleep Cycle Insights

The sleep tracking feature in the TruSense System has undergone significant enhancements. Like many competitors offering sleep data, Huawei’s system provides detailed analyses of sleep stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM cycles. However, it goes beyond merely reporting sleep duration, offering valuable feedback on the quality of each phase. Whether battling insomnia or aiming to optimize your rest for better recovery, this feature delivers personalized insights and recommendations based on your unique sleep patterns.

Future-Proof Flexibility and Accuracy

Huawei has future-proofed the TruSense System by designing it to be flexible and open to iterative updates. Users can expect continued software and hardware performance improvements as the technology progresses, ensuring their devices stay at the cutting edge of health monitoring. Additionally, the TruSense System has been certified by several authoritative health bodies, offering peace of mind regarding the reliability and safety of the data provided.

Sports and Activity Tracking: Tailored for Adventure

The GT5 Pro shines in outdoor activity tracking with its dual-band GPS and support for multiple satellite systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS. This setup enhances location accuracy and speed, making it great for hiking, running, or cycling. Huawei has taken things further with the new HUAWEI Sunflower Positioning System, which uses an adaptive algorithm to improve accuracy. The watch’s antenna adjusts itself based on your movement, ensuring it points in the right direction, whether cycling or running. This upgraded system reduces issues like distance or pace inaccuracies seen in earlier models, boosting route accuracy by 40%, distance by 30%, and pace by 20%, offering a more reliable tracking experience overall.

The running form analysis feature is particularly noteworthy. It provides detailed insights into metrics like vertical oscillation, foot contact time, and stride length. These insights help improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the offline maps and route back feature offer great value. Whether you’re hiking or exploring new trails, the watch provides accurate mapping and assists with navigation, helping you find your way if you lose track of your path.

Water Resistance and Freediving Mode: Dive In with Confidence

With a 5 ATM water resistance rating, the GT5 Pro is ideal for swimming and water sports. Its freediving mode supports dives of up to 40 meters, tracking depth and dive duration. I took the ceramic model snorkeling, and it performed flawlessly with no issues, even after prolonged exposure to saltwater.

Battery Life: Long-Lasting Performance

Huawei is renowned for the impressive battery life of its smartwatches, and the GT5 Pro doesn’t disappoint. The 46mm titanium model offers up to 14 days of battery life, while the 42mm ceramic model provides up to 7 days. Even with GNSS tracking, continuous health monitoring, and the always-on display active, I comfortably went several days without recharging.

When it’s time to recharge, the Watch GT5 Pro 46mm exclusively supports fast wireless charging. A quick 10-minute charge gives enough power for an entire day, making it especially convenient for those with busy schedules.

Smartwatch Features and Connectivity: Beyond Fitness

The GT5 Pro goes beyond fitness tracking by offering features that enhance daily connectivity. One standout is the keyboard input, allowing you to respond to messages directly from the watch. Though currently limited to specific apps, it adds convenience when accessing your phone isn’t an option. Music control is also intuitive, whether you’re streaming from your smartphone or playing stored songs directly from the watch. With compatibility across Android, iOS, and Huawei devices, the GT5 Pro ensures a seamless experience no matter which platform you use.

Should You Upgrade? A Worthwhile Investment

For GT4 Users:

The GT5 Pro offers significant upgrades in both materials and functionality. The introduction of premium materials like titanium and ceramic, the advanced TruSense system, and enhanced health tracking make it a worthwhile upgrade.

For GT3 Pro Users:

The GT5 Pro builds on its predecessor’s strengths. With improved GNSS accuracy, expanded health monitoring—including emotional wellbeing tracking—and refined aesthetics, it represents a solid step forward for those seeking the latest wearable technology.

Final Thoughts: A Premium Watch for the Modern User

The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro seamlessly merges style and functionality. Its premium materials, cutting-edge health features, and impressive battery life make it a standout choice for anyone looking for a smartwatch that doesn’t compromise design or performance.

Whether focused on fitness, managing stress, or simply seeking a stylish smartwatch to complement your daily attire, the GT5 Pro is an exceptional choice. It embodies Huawei’s commitment to delivering products that enhance our lives through innovation and quality, making it a worthy addition to any tech-savvy individual’s collection.

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