Huawei Watch 5 Review: A Stylish Smartwatch That’s More Than Just a Pretty Face

When it comes to smartwatches, most of them tend to look like a tech experiment strapped to your wrist—bland, bulky, and not exactly elegant. But Huawei is changing the game with the Huawei Watch 5, a wearable that looks like it belongs on the wrist of a Hollywood celebrity dining at a Michelin-star restaurant. Or, perhaps, on a bold tech YouTuber grabbing a steak bake at Greggs. Either way, it’s stylish—and that alone sets it apart.

But does this £400 smartwatch offer more than just good looks? After wearing the Huawei Watch 5 for two weeks, here’s my honest take.

Premium Design That Actually Feels Premium

The Huawei Watch 5 comes in two sizes: 42mm and 46mm. I’ve been using the 42mm version, which suits smaller wrists like mine perfectly—yes, I admit, my wrists are about as slim as a girl scout’s.

You can choose from several colors, but the rose gold finish on my review unit looks particularly classy. It’s made from 904L stainless steel, known for being resistant to both scratches and corrosion. After two weeks of daily wear, mine still looks brand new, with no visible damage—even after a few accidental knocks.

If you opt for the larger 46mm version, you can stick with stainless steel or upgrade to aerospace-grade titanium, though that’ll likely add to the price. Either way, Huawei deserves credit for delivering a luxury-grade design. Branding is minimal too, with just a tiny “Huawei Watch” label on the rotating crown—subtle and tasteful.

That said, I did run into a minor issue with the metal bracelet. I had to remove a few links to get a snug fit, but even then, it still jiggled a bit. And removing another link made it nearly impossible to squeeze over my hand. The clasp doesn’t open quite wide enough, which made daily wear slightly awkward. Thankfully, the strap is removable—you just press a small button underneath and swap it out for a different one to change up the look.

As expected, the Watch 5 is fully water- and dust-resistant, so swimming with it on is no problem. You can even track your pool laps without worrying about water damage.

A Stunning OLED Display That Pops Outdoors

The 42mm version has a 1.3-inch OLED display, while the larger model upgrades to 1.5 inches. The screen is coated in spherical sapphire glass, which gently curves out from the watch’s body and offers solid scratch resistance. Even after bumping it into hard surfaces—usually after a drink or two—there’s not a mark on it.

The display delivers rich contrast and razor-sharp visuals. Text is crisp, and the slim bezels help everything feel modern and clean. If you struggle to read small fonts, though, you might prefer the larger 46mm model.

The screen uses LTPO OLED technology with a 60Hz refresh rate. Swiping around HarmonyOS feels smooth and responsive—easily outpacing many older smartwatches. Most impressive of all, brightness maxes out at a stunning level, making the screen easy to read even under direct sunlight. Auto-brightness also works flawlessly.

Custom Watch Faces That Look as Good as the Watch

Huawei has packed this device with a wide variety of animated watch faces—many of which have a space-themed or planetary aesthetic. They’re just as attractive as the watch itself and fully customizable. Just long-press a face and you can tweak colors and complications to fit your style.

Some faces offer only a few customization options, while others let you choose from a broader set of widgets and details. You can also download even more faces from the Huawei Health app. A lot of them do cost money, but there’s a decent free section with some eye-catching designs if you’re on a budget.

The Huawei Health App: Powerful, But Not on Google Play

Here’s a bit of a hiccup for Android users: the Huawei Health app isn’t on the Google Play Store. You’ll need to sideload it from Huawei’s website as an APK. It is available on the Apple App Store and Samsung’s Galaxy Store, though.

Once installed, it unlocks full access to the Watch 5’s features. You can add an eSIM to stay connected without your phone, download offline maps, and sync all your health and fitness data to your phone.

Yes, my step count was embarrassingly low—but in my defense, it was only 8 a.m.

HarmonyOS: Fluid, Functional, and Familiar

The Watch 5 runs Huawei’s HarmonyOS, and the interface is intuitive. Swipe down from the main watch face to access quick settings like brightness, airplane mode, and Wi-Fi. The eSIM ensures you stay connected even without your phone, and Wi-Fi support keeps things fast.

Swipe in the opposite direction or use the rotating crown to check your notifications. Everything feels smooth and functional—nothing laggy or clunky here.

Final Thoughts: Is the Huawei Watch 5 Worth It?

There’s no denying that the Huawei Watch 5 is one of the most elegant and well-built smartwatches you can buy right now. The premium materials, gorgeous display, smooth performance, and endless customization options all come together to create a wearable that genuinely stands out.

At £400, it’s not a budget option. But for those who want a smartwatch that balances style and substance, the Watch 5 earns its price tag. Just be prepared to do a little extra work to install the Health app if you’re using a non-Huawei Android phone.

If your idea of a smartwatch is something that doesn’t just track steps but also makes a statement, the Huawei Watch 5 is well worth strapping on your wrist.