Choice of many sports modes
With multiple sensors and advanced metrics, the Huawei Watch GT is good for tracking indoor and outdoor activities, writes Nur Zarina Othman
WEARABLES are going bigger and becoming an integral part of our lives. With so many brands and functions, it can be quite difficult to make the best choice. Recently, I had the chance to test the Huawei Watch GT on a trek to Apek hill in Cheras.
GETTING IT READY
The Watch GT displays time, tracks steps and shows your heart rate. Store these information by pairing it with a smartphone.
It took me a while to understand how to pair it with my Huawei Mate 20 Pro. Despite downloading the Huawei wearable app on the phone, the Watch GT was not immediately available for pairing.
I turned to the Internet for a solution and there seemed to be quite a few who faced the same issue.
The trick is to update your smartphone’s operating system. I needed to update my EMUI and Huawei health app (a standard app on Huawei). Then Voila, the Watch GT pairing option, popped up on the app!
The GT Watch is not an Android-only wearable, it can also be paired with iOS iPhones.
TRACKING THE TREK
The Watch GT has multiple face options and supports rich sports modes that include crosscountry runs and swimming. It also tracks indoor and outdoor activities including time, distance, heart rate and stride frequency.
The watch automatically detects “viewing” every time I look at the watch. So it offers information I need when I select the “climbing” mode.
Every time I look at the watch, it shows my heart rate, making it easier to slow my pace or maintain it.
With its optical heart rate sensor paired with Huawei TruSeen 3.0 heart rate monitoring technology, the Watch GT provides a more efficient and accurate real-time measurement of the heart rate by using a self-learning algorithm based on basic information I had keyed in when setting up the Health app.
WATER-RESISTANT
Trekking to a location with a waterfall is exciting and the Watch GT is rated 5 ATM water-resistant, making it suitable for a quick dip.
The watch I wore also has a waterresistant saddle brown leather silicone strap.
LONG LASTING
The Watch GT gives detailed recordings of its trackings, a bit too detailed for me but should be useful for doctors.
The stainless steel, plastic and ceramic watch casing is elegant but slightly heavy on the wrist especially during active sessions .
I find it a great fitness watch for daily use in the city.
The battery lasts for more than a week with normal daily tracking — walking, heart rate and telling time — but once the watch gets paired, it does not last as long.
I started the trek with
16 per cent battery left and despite all the track
ing — heart rate, GPS connectivity, distance, elevation and duration — the watch lasted more than four hours and only went out when I had almost completed the trek.
ADVANTAGES
• Accurate heart rate monitoring.
• Offers advanced metrics.
• Superb battery life.
• Multiple sensors like GPS, accelerometer and barometer.
• Amoled colour screen.
DISADVANTAGES
• No Wi-Fi connectivity.
• The Health app offers detailed info but that is too overwhelming for me.
• It is a bit heavy for routine workouts.
• Different pairing methods for different smartphones. Rating: 3/5