Discover the innovative Huawei Watch Buds in this comprehensive review. Explore the unique features, design, and performance of this smartwatch-earbuds hybrid.

Huawei Watch Buds Review: A Revolutionary Smartwatch-Earbuds Hybrid

The world of smartwatches is constantly evolving, but Huawei has managed to take innovation to a new level with the release of the Huawei Watch Buds. Combining the functionality of a smartwatch with built-in wireless earbuds, this device delivers a truly unique wearable experience. Released on December 9, 2022, the Huawei Watch Buds offer convenience for users who want both a smartwatch and earbuds without having to carry separate devices. But does this hybrid solution live up to the expectations?

In this detailed review, we will explore the key features, design, battery performance, and overall usability of the Huawei Watch Buds. Let’s find out whether this all-in-one device can truly revolutionize the wearable tech industry.

Introduction

Smartwatches have come a long way, evolving from simple fitness trackers to powerful wearables that offer a wide range of functionalities, including health tracking, GPS, and notifications. With the Huawei Watch Buds, Huawei has taken a bold step in integrating two devices in one: a smartwatch and a pair of wireless earbuds that are stored and charged directly within the watch itself.

This unique concept aims to eliminate the need to carry a separate case for your wireless earbuds, offering added convenience for users on the go. Released in December 2022, this hybrid device has gained attention for its sleek design and innovation, but how well does it perform in day-to-day usage?

Design & Build Quality

The Huawei Watch Buds look and feel like a premium smartwatch. The 47mm circular body is crafted from stainless steel, providing durability while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The glass front gives it a sleek appearance, and at 66.5 grams, it is relatively lightweight for its size. The watch has a thickness of 15mm, which is slightly bulkier than other smartwatches, but this is necessary to accommodate the integrated earbuds.

One of the most unique features of this smartwatch is its built-in wireless earbuds, which are housed beneath the display. The watch face flips open to reveal the earbuds, which are securely stored and charged from the watch itself. This innovative design makes it incredibly convenient to access your earbuds at any time, whether you’re answering a call or listening to music.

The device is compatible with standard 22mm straps, allowing for customization based on user preferences. Available in two colors, Black and Khaki, the Huawei Watch Buds are designed to suit various styles.

While the watch is not designed for extreme ruggedness, it offers decent durability for everyday use, and the stainless steel frame adds an extra layer of protection. The absence of an IP68 or water-resistance certification, however, may be a drawback for users who intend to wear it while swimming or during intense workouts.

Display: Bright & Clear AMOLED

The Huawei Watch Buds feature a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels, resulting in a sharp 326 ppi pixel density. The AMOLED screen ensures deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast, making it easy to read notifications, time, and health stats in both bright sunlight and low-light conditions.

The display’s responsiveness is top-notch, allowing for smooth swiping through apps and menus. The screen size is sufficient for a smartwatch, and despite the addition of the built-in earbuds, Huawei has managed to maintain a clean, unobtrusive design.

The watch face can be customized with various watch faces available through Huawei’s app, adding a level of personalization for users.

Performance & Software: Powered by HarmonyOS 3.0

The Huawei Watch Buds run on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 3.0, which offers a smooth and intuitive user experience. While HarmonyOS may not have the same app ecosystem as WearOS or Apple’s watchOS, it still provides all the essential smartwatch features, including fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurement, and notifications for calls and messages.

HarmonyOS also integrates well with Huawei smartphones, allowing for seamless synchronization of data, notifications, and apps. The interface is simple and easy to navigate, and users can customize the watch’s settings via the Huawei Health app.

While the device lacks cellular connectivity, it supports Bluetooth 5.2, allowing for quick pairing with your smartphone. The watch’s built-in earbuds also connect effortlessly via Bluetooth, providing a stable connection for calls and music streaming.

Earbuds: A True Game-Changer

The standout feature of the Huawei Watch Buds is undoubtedly the built-in wireless earbuds. Hidden beneath the watch face, these earbuds are charged directly from the watch’s battery, eliminating the need for a separate charging case.

Each earbud is equipped with a 30mAh battery, offering sufficient power for several hours of music playback or call time. The earbuds automatically connect to your phone when removed from the watch and fit securely in the ear, providing decent sound quality for both music and phone calls.

While the sound quality may not rival high-end wireless earbuds, it is more than adequate for most users, offering clear mids and highs, though the bass might be slightly lacking for audiophiles. The convenience of having earbuds always available on your wrist, however, outweighs any minor audio limitations.

The earbuds also include touch controls, allowing users to play, pause, skip tracks, and answer calls without needing to take out their phone. While the touch sensitivity could be improved, the overall experience is intuitive and user-friendly.

Health & Fitness Tracking

Despite the added functionality of integrated earbuds, the Huawei Watch Buds still deliver solid health and fitness tracking features. The watch includes a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, accelerometer, and gyro, allowing it to track various activities, such as steps, calories burned, and sleep quality.

While it may not offer the depth of fitness tracking found in dedicated sports watches, the Huawei Watch Buds still provide all the essential health metrics most users need. The inclusion of SpO2 measurement is a valuable addition, particularly for monitoring oxygen saturation during workouts or sleep.

The watch supports GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS, offering accurate location tracking for outdoor activities like running or cycling. However, the lack of advanced health tracking features, such as ECG or skin temperature sensors, may make it less appealing to serious fitness enthusiasts.

Battery Life: Balancing Two Devices in One

The Huawei Watch Buds come with a 410mAh battery for the watch itself, which provides a decent battery life considering it is also charging the earbuds. On a full charge, the watch can last around 3 days with regular use, but heavy use of the earbuds will shorten this to around 2 days.

The earbuds themselves are equipped with a 30mAh battery each, offering about 3-4 hours of playback time before needing to be recharged from the watch. The wireless charging feature makes it easy to top up the watch without the need for cables, though charging both the watch and the earbuds simultaneously will naturally consume more power.

The watch supports 5W wireless charging, which is slower compared to modern smartphones but sufficient for topping up the device overnight.

Connectivity & Additional Features

While the Huawei Watch Buds lack cellular connectivity, they do come with Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a stable connection with smartphones and other devices. NFC is included for mobile payments, and the watch supports positioning technologies like GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS, providing accurate location tracking for navigation and fitness activities.

However, the absence of Wi-Fi, a loudspeaker, and a 3.5mm headphone jack limits the watch’s overall versatility.

Conclusion: A Unique and Innovative Smartwatch

The Huawei Watch Buds are a bold step forward in the world of wearables, combining a smartwatch with built-in wireless earbuds in a single device. While this hybrid approach may not be for everyone, it offers a convenient solution for those who often find themselves carrying multiple devices.

With a sharp AMOLED display, decent performance, and solid health tracking features, the Huawei Watch Buds are more than just a novelty. However, its higher price point and limited battery life might be a concern for some users.

If you value innovation and convenience, the Huawei Watch Buds are a compelling option, offering the perfect combination of smartwatch functionality and easy access to wireless audio.

Huawei Watch Buds Full Specifications

Feature	Specification
Launch Date	December 9, 2022
Dimensions	47 x 47.5 x 15 mm (1.85 x 1.87 x 0.59 in)
Weight	66.5 g (2.36 oz)
Display	1.43 inches, AMOLED, 466 x 466 pixels (~326 ppi)
Operating System	HarmonyOS 3.0
Memory	No card slot
Built-in Earbuds	Wireless earbuds housed beneath the display
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Battery (Watch)	410mAh, wireless charging
Battery (Earbuds)	30mAh per earbud, wireless charging from the watch
Colors Available	Black, Khaki
Price	About 400 EUR