Huawei Watch GT 5 vs GT 5 Pro: Which Should You Buy?

The Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro represents the premium tier of Huawei's smartwatch lineup, featuring aerospace-grade titanium and sapphire glass. While both the GT 5 and GT 5 Pro offer impressive battery life of up to 14 days, the Pro model justifies its higher price tag with exclusive features like ECG readings and dedicated golf mode with access to over 15,000 course maps. The standard GT 5, priced more affordably, still packs the new TruSense technology that measures over 60 health indicators, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.

When comparing these Huawei watches, we've found that the GT 5 Pro's premium titanium construction offers more than just aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the Pro version boasts 40% better GPS accuracy for routes and 30% improved distance tracking compared to previous models. Both watches feature the same vibrant 1.43-inch AMOLED display and water resistance rating, but the best Huawei watch for you depends on whether you need those Pro-exclusive features. In this comparison, we'll break down exactly what you get for the higher price point of the Pro-version, helping you decide which Huawei smartwatch deserves a spot on your wrist in 2025.

If you've already invested in one and are looking for accessories, then we have a lot of Huawei Watch GT 5 straps, screen protectors, and chargers.

Design and Build: Titanium vs Stainless Steel

The most striking difference between these two Huawei wearables lies in their build materials. Where the standard GT 5 opts for practicality, the GT 5 Pro embraces luxury through premium construction that you can feel on your wrist.

Material Comparison: Titanium Alloy vs Stainless Steel Case

The GT 5 Pro showcases Huawei's commitment to premium materials through its aerospace-grade titanium alloy construction. This isn't just about aesthetics – the titanium alloy delivers 140% improved resistance to compression compared to standard materials. In contrast to the Pro model, the standard GT 5 relies on stainless steel for its case construction, coupled with a molecular fibre composite rear casing.

The differences extend beyond the front case materials. The GT 5 Pro features a nanocrystal ceramic rear case that takes an impressive seven days to manufacture. This meticulous construction process contributes to the Pro's distinctly premium feel. Furthermore, the 46mm Pro model sports an octagonal titanium alloy bezel with sharper edges this year, creating a more sophisticated appearance that stands out from the rounded designs common in the smartwatch market.

Weight and Comfort: 53g vs 48g with Strap

Despite its premium materials, the GT 5 Pro remains remarkably lightweight. The 46mm Pro model weighs approximately 53g without the strap, while the standard GT 5 in 46mm size weighs 48g. This 5g difference might seem negligible, but it's noteworthy that the Pro achieves this modest weight increase despite using premium materials that offer substantially better durability.

For those preferring something more compact, both watches offer smaller variants – the 42mm Pro weighs just 44g, while the 41mm standard GT 5 is the lightest at only 35g. The Pro model is also 0.9mm thinner and 14.5% lighter than its predecessor, making it comfortable for all-day wear despite its robust construction.

Durability: Sapphire Glass vs Standard Glass

Perhaps the most significant durability difference between the models is the display protection. The GT 5 Pro features sapphire glass across all variants, offering exceptional hardness and scratch resistance that maintains the screen's pristine appearance even with regular use. The watch case also features an ultra-hard metal coating that increases scratch resistance by over 200%.

The standard GT 5, meanwhile, doesn't specify sapphire glass protection, suggesting it uses standard glass that's more susceptible to scratches and damage from daily wear. However, Huawei does mention the standard GT 5 has "ultra-hard coatings" on the body and screen.

Both watches share impressive water resistance with 5 ATM ratings, making them suitable for swimming but not deep-sea diving. The GT 5 Pro offers additional protection with an IP69K rating for superior water and dust resistance, allowing it to withstand depths of up to 40m.

Display and Interface Experience

Both Huawei watches share identical display technology, yet subtle differences in implementation create distinct user experiences worth examining before making your purchase decision.

Screen Size and Resolution: 1.43-inch AMOLED on Both

Visuals take centre stage with the same 1.43-inch AMOLED panel featured on both the GT 5 and GT 5 Pro 46mm models, delivering a sharp 466 × 466 resolution with 326 PPI. For those preferring a more compact option, both watches offer smaller variants – the GT 5 41mm and GT 5 Pro 42mm – with 1.32-inch screens that maintain the same resolution but offer a slightly sharper 352 PPI[111].

What stands out on both models is the nearly bezel-less design. Particularly impressive is the almost complete absence of black border around the display, creating a modern aesthetic that allows watch faces to blend seamlessly with the physical design. This thoughtful design choice enhances the visual experience regardless of which model you select.

Brightness and Visibility: 1200+ nits vs Standard AMOLED

The GT 5 Pro pulls ahead with a peak brightness exceeding 1200 nits, making it exceptionally readable even under direct sunlight. Indeed, the Pro's display brightness exceeds the range of some professional light metres, ensuring visibility in all lighting conditions.

In contrast, the standard GT 5 doesn't specify its exact brightness rating. Although not as luminous as the Pro model, users report no significant issues reading the display outdoors. The standard model still delivers the rich colours and deep blacks characteristic of quality AMOLED panels, providing a pleasant viewing experience in most environments.

Touch Responsiveness and Crown Navigation

Both models excel in touch response, with users noting excellent performance even with light rain on the screen. The display is notably fingerprint-resistant, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning.

Navigation is further enhanced by the digital crown that both watches share. This tactile, premium-feeling component allows smooth scrolling through menus and zooming into maps[94]. Essentially, everything feels snappy on both watches, from scrolling through messages to navigating menus.

Some users find the touchscreen so responsive and intuitive that they rarely need to use the crown at all, highlighting the quality of the touch interface across both models.

Always-On Display Support and Customisation

Both watches support Always-On Display (AOD), keeping essential information visible without requiring wrist movement. The customisation options differ slightly between models:

• The GT 5 and GT 5 Pro allow you to choose between displaying the AOD or the full watch face when raising your wrist
• Various AOD styles are available, with default styles automatically applied when enabling the feature

Of course, this convenience comes with a battery trade-off. With AOD enabled, the GT 5 Pro 46mm's battery life decreases from 9 days (typical use) to 5 days. Similarly, the 42mm Pro model drops from 5 days to 3 days with AOD active.

Even with this reduction, I've found that the GT 5 with always-on display enabled still provides nearly a week of battery life with all health features set to continuous monitoring—a respectable figure compared to many competing smartwatches that require daily charging.

Health and Fitness Tracking Features

Health monitoring capabilities stand at the core of Huawei's smartwatch offerings, with significant advancements in both models for 2025. Nevertheless, several key health features remain exclusive to the premium GT 5 Pro model.

TruSense System: Shared Health Metrics

The Huawei Watch GT 5 and GT 5 Pro are the first wearables to feature Huawei's new TruSense System, which measures more than 60 health indicators covering six major body systems. This advanced technology utilises improved sensor positioning and enhanced components for more accurate readings.

TruSense delivers faster blood oxygen readings (completed in just 15 seconds) and improved respiratory rate detection across both models. Primary shared health metrics include:

• Heart rate monitoring (improved to within ±5bpm of standard measures)
• Blood oxygen monitoring (increased from four to 12 channels)
• Stress tracking with personalised recommendations
• Skin temperature measurement
• Female cycle tracking

These improvements ensure that even the standard GT 5 provides comprehensive health monitoring that aligns closely with test trackers like the Oura Ring Gen 3 and Whoop 4.0.

ECG and Arterial Stiffness: Pro Exclusive

Primarily, the GT 5 Pro distinguishes itself with two advanced cardiac health features absent from the standard model. The Pro offers beat-by-beat ECG analysis through built-in electrode technology, enabling users to take readings by holding their finger on the side button for 30 seconds.

Consequently, the Pro model also provides arterial stiffness detection, which evaluates artery elasticity and compares results with people of similar age. These cardiac health features are certified in numerous countries, making the Pro particularly valuable for users with specific heart health concerns.

Sleep Tracking Accuracy and Comfort

Overall, both watches excel in sleep tracking accuracy. They monitor heart rate, SpO2, respiratory rate, and detect abnormal breathing during sleep. The watches engage automatic sleep mode reliably and record wake-up and fall-asleep times within 5-10 minutes of comparable test devices.

Equally important is Huawei's new Sleep Breathing Awareness feature on both models, which detects potential respiratory issues during sleep by checking for breathing interruptions. The system categorises these interruptions into four levels: normal, low, moderate and high, providing useful context around important sleep metrics.

Advanced Running Metrics: Vertical Oscillation, Cadence

Undoubtedly, both watches offer enhanced analysis for runners. The upgraded TruSense System works alongside an IMU sensor to detect ground contact time, vertical oscillation, and balance. These metrics help analyse running form, prevent injuries, and improve efficiency.

For cyclists, both watches enable real-time data sharing with phones, effectively turning them into bike computers. Additionally, positioning accuracy has improved through refinements to Huawei's dual-frequency GNSS (Sunflower Positioning System), with 40% better route accuracy and 30% improved distance accuracy.

Golf Mode and 3D Course Maps: GT 5 Pro Only

Markedly, the GT 5 Pro features extensive golfing capabilities absent from the standard model. It offers access to over 15,000 golf courses worldwide (including more than 3,000 in the UK) with detailed 3D maps showing greens, fairways, bunkers, and water hazards.

The Pro's golf features include backswing time, downswing time, swing tempo and swing speed detection in Driving Range Mode. Users can manually mark shot locations, with the watch calculating distances and recommending clubs based on wind speed, direction and personal play style. Furthermore, it provides putting green contour data and after-play summary reports complete with scorecards.

Take a look at our collection of Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro straps and other accessories.

Smart Features and Software Differences

Software capabilities set these timepieces apart in subtle yet important ways, with the GT 5 Pro offering several advantages worth considering for tech-savvy users.

HarmonyOS 5.0: Keyboard and Screenshot Support

Both the Huawei Watch GT 5 and GT 5 Pro run HarmonyOS 5.0, marking the first time this OS version appears on Huawei wearables. This update brings noteworthy improvements including a full QWERTY keyboard for typing replies directly on your wrist. First and foremost, screenshot functionality now exists by simply pressing both physical buttons simultaneously. The interface benefits from colour-coded apps, streamlined cards, and seamless transitions throughout the experience.

App Ecosystem and Limitations

For the most part, app availability remains limited compared to competitors. The Watch AppGallery allows downloading additional applications, yet many users describe the store as "barren". In fact, iOS users face greater restrictions – they cannot install apps to the watch nor reply to messages or notifications. With this in mind, the watches excel more as fitness trackers with smart features rather than app-centric devices.

Notifications and Call Handling

Both watches handle notifications effectively, allowing responses via predefined messages, emoji, or the new keyboard. Call quality through the built-in microphone and speaker proves adequate for basic conversations. To put it differently, you can conduct essential communications without reaching for your phone.

Navigation: Petal Maps vs No Google Maps

As can be seen on both models, Petal Maps provides navigation functionality, sending directions from your phone to your watch. The watches offer vibrating reminders for turns and voice broadcasts for key navigation prompts. Above all, Google Maps remains unavailable due to US restrictions.

Payment Support: Huawei Wallet Limitations

With attention to contactless payments, both watches received a December 2024 update enabling NFC payments via the Quicko Wallet App. Currently compatible only with Android phones (iPhone support coming in 2025), this system requires creating a virtual prepaid Mastercard rather than using existing cards directly.

Battery Life and Charging Speed

Long-lasting battery performance remains a decisive factor when choosing a smartwatch in 2025, and Huawei continues to outperform competitors in this crucial area.

Battery Duration: 14 Days vs 7–10 Days Real Use

Battery endurance showcases significant differences between models and sizes. The GT 5 Pro 46mm officially claims up to 14 days maximum usage, though real-world testing typically yields about 10 days. For the standard GT 5 46mm, comparable battery ratings apply with identical 14-day maximum claims.

Primarily, smaller variants offer reduced capacity—the GT 5 Pro 42mm promises up to 7 days maximum, while the standard GT 5 41mm delivers 7 days under light use.

During intensive real-world usage with frequent notifications, exercise tracking, and heart rate monitoring, I've found the GT 5 Pro 46mm consistently delivers 6-10 days between charges—substantially better than most competitors requiring daily charging.

Charging Time: 70 Minutes Full Charge

Charging speed remains remarkably efficient across both models. The GT 5 Pro takes approximately 70 minutes to charge fully from empty, slightly longer than Huawei's estimated 60-minute claim. Subsequently, newer models feature improved wireless charging, allowing a boost from 10% to 100% in about an hour.

Impact of Always-On Display on Battery

Enabling Always-On Display (AOD) significantly reduces battery performance. The GT 5 Pro 46mm drops from 9 days (typical use) to 5 days with AOD active, while the 42mm version decreases from 5 days to just 3 days.

Generally, testing shows AOD drains the battery approximately four times faster, making this feature the most impactful on overall battery life.

Qi Charging Support and Magnetic Puck

Both watches support universal Qi wireless charging, offering flexibility when travelling. Hence, any standard Qi charger can power these watches, though the included magnetic puck provides the most stable connection.

Significantly, the titanium strap on the GT 5 Pro can make positioning on flat wireless chargers challenging, making the magnetic puck the preferred option. Accordingly, these chargers operate with 5V-9V DC/2A power requirements and support fast charging technology.

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Final Verdict: Premium Features vs Value for Money

After thorough testing of both watches side by side, the decision between the Huawei Watch GT 5 and GT 5 Pro ultimately comes down to your personal priorities and budget.

The GT 5 Pro, with its aerospace-grade titanium construction and sapphire glass, certainly justifies its premium price tag for those who value durability and exclusive features. Undoubtedly, the Pro model offers meaningful advantages beyond mere aesthetics—ECG functionality, arterial stiffness detection and the comprehensive golf mode with access to thousands of course maps stand out as genuinely useful additions. Additionally, the brighter 1200+ nit display ensures better visibility in challenging lighting conditions, particularly important for outdoor enthusiasts.

Nevertheless, the standard GT 5 delivers remarkable value at its price. Though lacking some premium features, it still houses the same impressive TruSense system tracking over 60 health metrics, runs identical HarmonyOS 5.0 software, and delivers comparable battery life. For most users, especially those primarily focused on fitness tracking and smart notifications, the standard GT 5 provides everything needed at a more accessible price point.

Battery performance remains a standout feature for both models, easily outlasting most competitors in the smartwatch market. During my testing, even with intensive use and health monitoring enabled, both watches consistently delivered nearly a week of battery life—a significant advantage over alternatives requiring daily charging.

The choice essentially boils down to this: if ECG monitoring, golf features and premium materials matter to you, the GT 5 Pro warrants its higher price. Otherwise, the standard GT 5 offers virtually the same core experience while keeping some extra money in your pocket. Regardless of which model you choose, both represent compelling options in the 2025 smartwatch landscape, especially for users prioritising battery longevity and comprehensive health tracking over extensive app ecosystems.