The Huawei Watch 5 isn’t available in the US, but its unique approach to health monitoring has caught global attention. Unlike most smartwatches that rely solely on wrist-based sensors, the Watch 5 adds a second sensor array on the side of the device, allowing users to measure EKGs, blood oxygen, and arterial stiffness by pressing a fingertip against it.
Dubbed “multi-sensing X-TAP technology,” this system combines a pressure sensor, an EKG electrode, and an optical heart rate sensor. Huawei claims the fingertip method improves signal quality by 10 to 50 times compared to traditional wrist measurements—a plausible claim, given the fingertip’s rich capillary network, which is already favored in medical-grade pulse oximeters.
Faster Spot Checks and Expanded Health Metrics
The new sensor enables a 10-second blood oxygen reading, significantly quicker than most competitors. It also powers a 60-second “one-tap health glance” feature, providing an overview of heart rate, HRV (new to the Watch 5), blood oxygen, skin temperature, stress levels, EKG results, arterial stiffness, respiratory status, and sleep disturbances—most of which were already available on the Watch 4.
Incremental Upgrades Elsewhere
Beyond health tracking, the Watch 5 offers modest improvements. New gesture controls include a double-slide (thumb against finger) and double-tap function. The display boasts 3,000 nits peak brightness and slimmer bezels. The watch comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with stainless steel and titanium options. Battery life ranges from three days (42mm) to 4.5 days (46mm), dropping by about a third with always-on display enabled. It supports cellular connectivity and works with both Android and iOS.
Huawei’s Purple Titanium Pride—But Is It Really Purple?
Huawei highlights the titanium 46mm model’s purple finish as a technical achievement, noting the difficulty of coloring titanium, which typically requires anodization. The company claims its “advanced oxidation parameter adjustment” creates an “exact purple with an opaline effect” rather than a typical high-saturation shade. However, based on press images, the hue appears closer to the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s “deep purple”—leaving some purple enthusiasts underwhelmed.
Pricing and Availability
The Watch 5 is now available for preorder in the UK and Europe at £399.99 / €499.99 (approximately $550), with a May 26 launch date. The 42mm stainless steel model comes in beige, gold, white, and green, while the 46mm version offers black (stainless steel) or titanium in brown, silver, and the debated “purple.” US buyers, however, will have to look elsewhere—for now.
