logo
New Huawei Watch 5 lands with smarter sensors and luxury-level build

New Huawei Watch 5 lands with smarter sensors and luxury-level build

Phone Arena15-05-2025

Huawei just launched a bunch of new gear across wearables, audio and tablets. We've got the new FreeBuds 6 that start a new chapter in Huawei's premium audio portfolio, the 12.2 -inch MatePad Pro with a new anti-glare display, plus the Fit 4 series and the Huawei Watch 5, which we will dive into now.The Huawei Watch 5 is the latest in the Chinese tech giant's smartwatch lineup and it brings some cool new tech like Multi-sensing X-TAP, advanced health tracking, smarter gesture controls and that sleek design the previous Huawei Watch generations are known for.
Yep, the Watch 5 sticks with the smooth, polished look but now comes in two sizes: 46mm and 42mm. It comes in several different colors, depending on the size. The smaller 42mm Watch 5 comes in:
Sand Gold
Beige
Green
White
The 42mm Huawei Watch 5 in all the available colors – Sand Gold, Beige, Green and White. | Image credit – Huawei Meanwhile, the 46mm model is available in: Black
Titanium Purple
Titanium Silver
Titanium Brown
The bigger 46mm Watch 5 in the colors listed above – Black, Purple, Silver and Brown. | Image credit – Huawei As you can see by the marketing names of the color options, the bigger model features aerospace-grade titanium, which is super light and strong. Meanwhile, the smaller one uses 904L stainless steel – the same stuff luxury watches use. Both have a sapphire glass screen that is tough against scratches and wear.For straps, you can pick from titanium, fluoroelastomer or a new composite that looks and feels like leather but is waterproof, stain-resistant and odor-free. The leather-style straps come in denim beige and silk purple, so you can match your style easily.
Ok, enough about the looks. This watch packs Huawei's TruSense System with the new Multi-sensing X-TAP tech powered by their Distributed Sensor Module. What does that mean? You should get fast and accurate health monitoring right from your fingertip, not just your wrist. It combines ECG, PPG and tactile sensors into one system, giving you deeper health insights way quicker than before.The X-TAP tech also senses different pressure levels, so you can interact with the watch in new ways. Hold the X-TAP sensor for 3 seconds and you get a One-Tap Health Glance – a full health report covering 9 key metrics like heart rate variability and blood oxygen, all delivered in just a minute.Gesture controls get a boost, too, now supporting "Double Slide" and "Double Tap," making it easier to use when you can't touch the screen much (and we all have these moments, right?). These gestures even work with some third-party apps, like voice calls on social platforms, which can be super convenient. Battery life is also solid (well, at least on paper) with the 46mm lasting up to 4.5 days and the 42mm about 3 days on Standard Mode. Switch to Battery Saver and those numbers should jump to 11 and 7 days. As for connectivity, the Watch supports eSIM, which means you can stay connected without your phone, which is perfect for busy or outdoor days.The Huawei Watch 5 starts at £399.99 (around $530 when directly converted) and is available now through the Huawei Store. While the Chinese tech giant hasn't officially said if it is coming to the United States, the previous model showed up on Amazon and other retailers – so chances are, this one will, too. And if not, there is always the import route if you are eager to get yourself the new smartwatch.Just a heads-up, though – Huawei devices still don't support some Google apps and services and importing can come with a few trade-offs. That might include limited warranty coverage, possible feature restrictions and less consistent software support, which is not ideal. So weigh that before hitting "buy."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Huawei FreeBuds 6 review: hype vs reality
Huawei FreeBuds 6 review: hype vs reality

Phone Arena

time3 hours ago

  • Phone Arena

Huawei FreeBuds 6 review: hype vs reality

Huawei has recently dropped a brand-new set of open-fit earbuds. In the style of old EarPods or the non-Pro AirPods, these don't go all the way inside your ears and can be more comfortable for users that dislike the in-ear feel. The case and bud design have also been refreshed to something that looks a bit odd, a bit alien, but I appreciate Huawei trying to change a formula that has become a bit stale and boring in recent years. Additionally, the FreeBuds 6 come with impressive specs — dual driver design, 14 Hz to 48 kHz sound reproduction, dual point connectivity, and a combination of tap and swipe controls for perfect interaction. The question now is... does it deliver? Huawei FreeBuds 6 specs Huawei FreeBuds 6 design and colors The Huawei FreeBuds 6 are something different and that's immediately apparent when you see their charge case. It's like a flattened egg shape, with a very smooth matte finish — kind of looks like a gadget from an old Star Trek episode. The case flap has a diagonal cut, too, so nothing about this case looks like most other earbuds on the market. The case shape and finish ensure that it slides comfortably into almost any pocket. The FreeBuds 6 definitely come with a good selection of audio codecs, ensuring you will be getting the best out of both Apple (AAC) and Android (LDAC) devices. L2HC4.0 seems to be some sort of Huawei exclusive, only available with devices running EMUI15 and above. Notably, these headphones don't support LHDC and aptX, but we can't say we miss them with what's available on hand. Maybe gamers might be disappointed from the lack of low-latency Huawei FreeBuds 6 are something different and that's immediately apparent when you see their charge case. It's like a flattened egg shape, with a very smooth matte finish — kind of looks like a gadget from an old Star Trek episode. The case flap has a diagonal cut, too, so nothing about this case looks like most other earbuds on the market. The case shape and finish ensure that it slides comfortably into almost any pocket. The surprises don't end there, as the earbuds themselves have an odd shape. They are an open-fit, so no eartip silicone, that's expected. But their stems have a bit of a tub at the end, too, giving the whole bud an almost hourglass-type shape. And yes, I see it — it's definitely an acquired taste. Huawei tried something different, they seem to think it's a cool lifestyle gadget to accessorise with, I guess the market will decide if the shape is liked or not. The box contains two sizes of silicone "sleeves" for the buds. In case you have slightly larger earlobes, these can provide a better fit and an extra bit of grip to keep the buds in. Definitely a nice touch, and I can see people who like to go for a jog with their buds using this. The stems offer touch controls. Tap to play, double-tap for next, triple-tap for previous. Swiping up and down controls volume, and tap and hold will toggle the noise reduction. I am generally not a big fan of tap controls, but when a model has them — it is what it is. However, the FreeBuds 6 are also a bit slow to respond, which is usually the extra-annoying part, as you have half a second to wonder if your tap registered or not. Receive the latest Accessories news By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy The Huawei FreeBuds 6 come in three colors — understated Black, clean White, and this flashy Purple that we have here. Huawei FreeBuds 6 sound quality Out of the box, on default settings, the FreeBuds 6 don't sound amazing. I do recommend installing the Huawei AI Life app for its extra settings (it's not on the Play Store, it's here ), but since Huawei is not on the official Google Play Store — that may be tricky. I found that it can be side-loaded on some Android phones no problem, then not work on others. Something to definitely keep in mind if you are looking at those buds. So, by default, how do the FreeBuds 6 sound? Their specs promise a lot, with dual drivers and bass frequencies that go as low as 14 Hz. Now, I know that I can't hear 14 Hz and I am pretty sure no human being out there can, but it's assumed that this implies deep, cushy bass. We don't get this with the FreeBuds 6. It's not that they don't have bass — the low end is there, it's just... fine. Not boomy, heavy, cushy, or big, but you can hear the bass guitar. The first impressions you might get as you fire up your first song will be "Wow, these sound crisp and clear", but that'll be until the vocals come on. While these have an ok, sort-of-weak bass, they do have a harsh upper midrange frequency (again, by default, the app can fix that). Their highs are present, but not shimmering or sweet. In general, their sound has nothing extra special going for it, despite their looks and specs suggesting otherwise. I already alluded to that, but the app is a make-it or break-it here. I absolutely found that the Hi-Fi Live preset within the app does fix a lot. It scoops out the aforementioned high mids, adds a nice bass bump, and sweetens up the highs. To me, this is what the default sound of these earbuds should be, and I wouldn't use them without being able to access the app and change that. You can also tap the plus sign in the top right to make your own custom EQ profile, but I was happy enough with Hi-Fi Live. Huawei FreeBuds 6 noise reduction You probably have noticed that I am not calling it Active Noise Cancelation, as the open design of these buds makes it hard to actually... cancel noise. Huawei itself calls it Noise Reduction in the specs. But that's not to say that it's not a good feature. I am actually quite impressed by how much these are able to reduce outsude sources. Of course, they work better versus lower-end hums and brums, while high-pitched sounds will be more audible. But, in general, if you want to increase inner zen and don't feel like sticking pointy silicone tips inside your ears, these offer a good alternative. Huawei FreeBuds 6 connectivity I've had no issue connecting these to my laptop, multiple Android devices, even an iPhone and iPad. They do support Bluetooth Multipoint, which allows them to stay connected to two devices at the same time and actively switch sources when a new sound is played from the next one. The app also conveniently "remembers" a list of your paired devices, so you can select or delete them from there. Unfortunately, since Huawei is a bit of a persona non grata in the western Android world, it doesn't support Fast Pair — you won't get the fancy pop-up on your phone screen when you bring the buds next to the phone for the first time. But if you own a Huawei phone, they do have their own fast pairing, which works in the way you would expect. Huawei FreeBuds 6 battery life With those chubby stems and otherworldly case, you'd expect the FreeBuds 6 to offer a phenomenal battery life or something. Unfortunately, that's not the case. In fact, they are slightly below the average of what I would expect in a 2025 set of buds. But it also depends on whether you choose "Prioritize sound quality" or "Prioritize connection" from the app. Yes, the app — again. By default, the FreeBuds 6 are set to the sound quality option. Huawei FreeBuds 6, should you buy them? The FreeBuds 6 may not be officially available in the US, but you can pick them up for about the same price as a set of Nothing Ears third gen. The prices are also comparable over in Europe, with the FreeBuds 6 being a tiny bit more expensive as of right now. As it stands, recommending the FreeBuds 6 comes with two huge asterisks. One, do you like the shape and obvious fashion statement that they are? And two — are you able to install and run the AI Life app , as it's kind of vital to squeeze a good sound out of them? If the answer to both is "Yes", I might wince and give you a conditional "Maybe they'll work for you". Huawei Freebuds 6 open fit buds with ANC Available in all three colors — Black, White, and Purple. Newest mode open-fit earbuds from Huawei. SBC, AAC, LDAC. Buy at Amazon Nothing Ear $30 off (19%) Third generation of Nothing Ear buds — advanced EQ, custom 11 mm ceramic driver, ChatGPT integration. Black and White available Buy at Amazon Apple AirPods 4 without ANC $10 off (8%) The most affordable AirPods from Apple offer great fit and an upgraded design with shorter stems and squeeze controls. Advanced codec — AAC only. Buy at Amazon What the FreeBuds 6 is doing right is the open design — there aren't many earbuds out there that cater to people who dislike in-ears. I respect that — the only true competitor that does the same is the Apple AirPods 4 . The non-ANC variant costs about the same as the FreeBuds 6, the one with ANC is a shiny 50 more (your currency of choice). But, I can't twist it. The AirPods 4 do sound better out of the box. So, pick the FreeBuds 6 if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, or you can't resist that shiny purple model!

The world is not ready for Huawei's second tri-fold phone, but it's coming soon
The world is not ready for Huawei's second tri-fold phone, but it's coming soon

Phone Arena

time4 hours ago

  • Phone Arena

The world is not ready for Huawei's second tri-fold phone, but it's coming soon

How many times do you want your smartphone to fold? At least two times, I'm feeling crazy and I like it. A single fold is enough for me, I'm a traditionalist. Phones don't fold! At least two times, I'm feeling crazy and I like it. 0% A single fold is enough for me, I'm a traditionalist. 0% Phones don't fold! 0% Receive the latest mobile news Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy Remember the original? Grab Surfshark VPN now at more than 50% off and with 3 extra months for free! Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer The world will soon welcome another tri-fold phone: yeah, that's thanks to Huawei yet know that both Apple and Samsung are on a tri-fold concept of their own:… but so far, neither Sammy nor Cupertino have come up with such an exotic gadget. The Huawei Mate XT remains the only commercially available tri-foldable out heavily sanctioned (by numerous US administrations) company is now rumored to be preparing a second iteration of the Huawei Mate XT. What's more, a Weibo (that's the Chinese alternative to X) tipster claims the next Huawei Mate XT phone will drop come September (so, a bit over two months from now).While there are no specific hardware or software-related leaks, the tipster (called Smart Pikachu) claims the phone will support satellite connectivity. Also, the next version of the Mate XT (will it be called Mate XT 2?) should offer an upgraded chipset, as well as enhancements on the camera front, but Smart Pikachu doesn't go in detail about what to are some leaks pointing at the possibility that Huawei's upcoming Mate XT 2 may feature a major upgrade in its display, using advanced ultra-flexible glass (UFG) technology. This same material is used in Samsung's W25, a premium version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 available only in China. UFG offers better durability and flexibility than the ultra-thin glass (UTG) found in most foldable phones . It's also hinted that a Chinese manufacturer may be emerging as a rival to Germany's Schott, which currently supplies Samsung with its UFG thicker and heavier than typical foldables, the original Huawei Mate XT manages to feel comfortable in the hand and transforms into a 10.2-inch tablet with a cinematic 16:11 aspect ratio – ideal for media and productivity. The 3K OLED screen is visually stunning, although limited to a 90 Hz refresh rate, a small compromise likely made for better power is solid for everyday tasks and most games, though the in-house Kirin 9010 chip lags behind newer flagship processors, especially in graphics-heavy scenarios. International users may find the lack of native Google Services a drawback, especially those with professional Workspace accounts, although open-source solutions like microG offer partial workarounds for standard Google accounts.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store