The Huawei Watch Fit 3 is the latest smartwatch/fitness tracker to grace the market. And one thing I can say is that it is absolutely stunning. Not only is it comfortable to wear, but its back-to-basics design really catches the eye.
Essentially, this device caters to casual fitness enthusiasts but stands out with its more watch-like design, appealing to those who prefer a sleeker, less plasticky accessory.
While it launches alongside the more extravagant Huawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition, I’ve found the Watch Fit 3, which I’ve been using for a week, to be the more intriguing option.
What Do You Get For Your Money?
- 1.82in OLED 2.5D display
- 1500 nits peak brightness
- 10-day battery life
The Watch Fit 3’s price point seems aimed directly at those considering the Fitbit Charge 6. Its superior aesthetic appeal makes it a strong contender based on looks alone. It’s only 9.9mm thin and comes with a comfortable strap. For this review, I tested the White Fluoroelastomer model, which comes with a beautiful red crown.
The screen is larger, brighter, and sharper than that of similar devices at the same price point, making it easy to read during outdoor activities. The UI is highly responsive, and the battery life is impressive, lasting up to 10 days per charge. It tracks various metrics, including steps, heart rate, stress, SpO2, and sleep, and features built-in GPS, eliminating the need to carry your phone during runs or rides.
The Watch Fit 3 introduces several new features, such as broadcasting your heart rate over Bluetooth to compatible fitness machines. This allows you to monitor your effort levels on equipment displays without constantly checking your wrist. If you miss your activity goals, daily workout suggestions are provided, and the sleep tracking now includes sleep breathing awareness.
What Do We Like About It?
- Excellent battery life
- Accurate and fast GPS
- Attractive design and display
- Works on both iOS and Android
After a week of use, the battery life claims hold up. With 2 hours and 10 minutes of GPS tracking, I’m on track for a week of battery life, possibly more. The watch charges quickly, with 10 minutes of charging providing an extra day’s use. While it resembles an Apple Watch, its battery stamina is far superior.
I’ve been impressed by the accuracy of the GPS and heart rate monitor. Despite lacking dual-band GPS, reception in built-up areas is reliable. On walks and runs, the GPS accuracy was almost perfect, with minimal deviation from my route.
When it comes to the heart rate monitor, it’s actually very accurate. For someone who keeps an eye on his health and heart, I found this to be the most important feature for me. Apart from the heart rate monitor, the new warmup feature is a nice touch, offering guided warmups before starting workouts to help prevent injuries.
The Watch Fit 3 offers extensive functionality. Beyond tracking basic metrics, it supports structured training plans for events like Parkruns. The Huawei Health app provides training plans and analytical tools from Huawei’s advanced fitness wearables, such as load analysis and recovery monitoring.
What Could It Do Better?
- The layout of the apps can be confusing to navigate
- Sleep tracking can be inaccurate
While the Watch Fit 3 excels in many areas, the app’s usability needs improvement. It’s feature-rich and compatible with both iOS and Android, but not intuitive. Setting up custom workouts or syncing with other fitness apps is cumbersome due to the app’s convoluted layout. Additionally, the sleep tracking is occasionally inaccurate, sometimes mistaking periods of inactivity for sleep.
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The Watch Fit 3 is water-resistant, which is an added bonus, and it has a 5 ATM water-resistant rating. Devices complying with the 5 ATM-rated water have a water resistance rating of 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010. This means that they may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. However, they should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depths.
Verdict:
Despite a few minor issues and a brief testing period, the Huawei Watch Fit 3 shows promise. It boasts excellent battery life, a slim and attractive design, responsive UI, and accurate GPS and heart rate monitoring. Packed with fitness features typically found in higher-end watches, it outperforms other devices at the same price point in terms of features, aesthetics, and accuracy. If you can handle a somewhat tricky app, it’s a fantastic choice.
Written By: Darryl Linington
