Huawei heats up global smartwatch market with new GT 5 series to challenge Apple Watch

Huawei’s latest product launch reflects the US-sanctioned firm’s efforts to boost revenue, as demand for advanced smartwatches rises in 2024

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Huawei Technologies’ new Watch GT 5 series features a slimmer design, improved battery life, TruSense health-monitoring system and women’s health tracking. Photo: Huawei

Published: 6:00pm, 25 Sep 2024Updated: 6:07pm, 25 Sep 2024

Huawei Technologies is stepping up its competition with Apple beyond 5G smartphones, with the launch of its latest smartwatch series in China and Europe nearly a decade after the Shenzhen-based firm introduced its first device in that category.

At an event in Shanghai on Tuesday, Huawei introduced on the mainland its new Watch GT 5 series – with prices starting at 1,488 yuan (US$212) – featuring a slimmer design, upgraded antenna and algorithm for improved positioning accuracy, up to two weeks of battery life per full charge, TruSense health-monitoring system for heart rate and blood-oxygen measurements, women’s health tracking and monitoring of a user’s emotional well-being.

That followed last week’s international launch of the series, with prices from €249 (US$279). The emotional well-being feature will not be available in Europe, according to the privately held company.

Huawei’s latest product launch reflects the US-sanctioned firm’s efforts to boost revenue amid rising demand for advanced smartwatches in 2024. Research firm Canalys has forecast the global smartwatch sector to rebound this year, with estimated total shipments of 83 million units.

Huawei Technologies’ new stainless-steel Watch GT 5 series in brown, blue and black models. Photo: Huawei

The global wrist-worn device market, which includes smartwatches and wristbands, was led by Huawei in the second quarter with shipments of 8.9 million units and a 20.3 per cent share, according to a report by research firm IDC. This was the second consecutive quarter that Huawei led this market.

China significantly outpaced the global wrist-worn device market last quarter with 15.5 million units shipped, a 10.9 per cent year-on-year increase. That growth was on the back of the country’s smartwatch shipments of 11.1 million units, which rose 18.7 per cent year on year.