Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro review: the almost-perfect sports watch
5.6.2026
Translation: Megan Cornish
Pictures: Jan Johannsen
Huawei’s improved the Watch Fit 5 Pro again with a new display, new sports features and mobile payment capabilities. However, it’s still not quite perfect.
For the robust Pro version of its Watch Fit 5, Huawei’s brought in new cycling and jogging features from other current smartwatches and made meaningful enhancements. However, that’s still not reason enough to immediately replace its predecessor.
A larger display with a narrower bezel
Compared to its predecessor, the Watch Fit 5 Pro’s screen has grown by 0.1 inches to 1.92 inches. The bezels are now slimmer at 1.8 millimetres, while the case is the same height and only 0.8 millimetres wider. The screen-to-body ratio has jumped from 79 to 83 per cent. This time, Huawei’s gone for 2.5D glass, which protrudes slightly beyond the case and isn’t enclosed by a slightly raised bezel as with the [Watch Fit 4 Pro](/page/huawei-watch-fit-4-pro-im-test-zuverlaessige-sportuhr-mit-langer-akkulaufzeit-38805. The glass has already survived a fall onto a concrete step without any damage.
With a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, the AMOLED display’s easily readable even in direct sunlight. The refresh rate automatically adjusts between 1 and 60 Hz as needed. If you activate the always-on function, it’s fixed at 1 Hz.
Sapphire glass, a titanium alloy bezel and an aluminium case are designed to prevent both the display and the casing scratching easily. The white version’s coated with an oxide layer said to be 130 per cent harder and 15 per cent more scratch-resistant. Put it this way: Huawei uses the same material for its [Matebook](/page/matebook-x-pro-im-test-leichtes-und-leistungsstarkes-notebook-35230, which I’ve been subjecting to abuse for over two and a half years. The display already has a crack, yet the casing’s still scratch-free.
I find the Watch Fit 5 Pro comfortable and prefer the classic plastic strap to the woven version with Velcro. It’s not a comfort thing; I don’t like pulling it over my hand.
New features from other sports watches
The Watch Fit 5 Pro inherits the Running Power feature from the Watch [GT Runner 2](/page/huawei-watch-gt-runner-2-im-test-bereit-fuer-den-marathon-42308. This new metric’s designed to help measure training intensity while running. The reading’s provided in watts, just like power in cycling. As you’d expect, the sports watch also inherits the bike computer introduced with the [Watch GT 6 Pro](/page/huawei-watch-gt6-pro-im-test-neue-fahrrad-daten-und-extrem-lange-akkulaufzeit-39633, including a power meter for pedal force and fall detection.
The Sunflower GPS in the Watch Fit 5 Pro’s still highly accurate, and the smartwatch quickly locates itself. While cycling, I can see the current incline or decline in real time, not just at the end of the ride when you see the elevation gain. Huawei also uses this data to create 3D maps. There’s no new sensor for the gradient data. Huawei calculates it using a formula based on data from the existing sensors.
Measuring virtual power’s also new. How hard you pedal’s measured in watts. You used to need special pedals for this, which are usually more expensive than the Watch Fit 5 Pro and aren’t the kind of pedals you’d actually want on your bike. While riding, you see a watt value for virtual power. This is calculated from data from the watch as well as other information such as your age and weight and the type and weight of your bike.
Pedal-based sensors are more accurate. Huawei claims a deviation of five to a maximum of ten per cent. That might not be enough for professionals, but it’s good enough for me. Spot checks while riding also show the Watch Fit 5 Pro reliably detects when you stop pedalling – even when, for example, you’re coasting downhill at a constant speed.
To avoid having to look at your watch while riding, you can use Huawei’s Health app as a bike computer. All you need’s a decent mount for your mobile.
While you’re jogging, or more accurately once you’ve finished, you can see your training load and Running Power, just like on the GT Runner 2. This is measured in watts, similar to cycling power. However, the Running Ability Index isn’t displayed.
However, we’re still waiting for the promised mini workouts with a panda as a coach, which were included in the update. The four-legged fitness instructor’s supposed to motivate you to move eleven body parts throughout the day with 30 different exercises.
Source: Huawei
Lots of health data and a new weather view
The Watch Fit 5 Pro collects a wealth of health and fitness data with its TruSense sensor system. It can track over 100 sports, perform an ECG, detect atrial fibrillation and assess arterial stiffness. Huawei’s also improved the sleep scoring feature, now allowing the smartwatch to recognise even short naps.
The user interface of the Watch Fit 5 Pro’s easy to understand. The weather section has a new design and now also displays the UV index, the real feel temperature and visibility conditions for sunrise and sunset.
The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro is controlled almost entirely via its touchscreen. The only time you need to press the crown is for an app overview. The crown’s also a direct route to the home screen and pausing tracking. I rarely rotate the watch and mostly scroll using the touchscreen.
You can assign different functions to the bottom button in the settings. I’ve chosen an overview of trackable sports (one press) and mobile payment (two presses).
EU solution for mobile payments
Since the 2019 US boycott, Huawei’s been looking for a mobile payment solution. Now, the manufacturer seems to have found a viable partner. Curve Pay’s a Lithuanian virtual credit card provider that allows you to link your card to the Watch Fit 5 Pro – and other Huawei smartwatches. However, the service only works for residents of EU countries. Curve Pay doesn’t accept Swiss credit cards or ID cards.
Yes, it’s annoying to have to install yet another app and re-enter your data instead of just using Google or Apple Pay. However, you don’t have to wait for your bank to participate in a payment service, and you’re also supporting a European provider.
Long battery life without any improvements
Huawei claims to have increased the energy density of the Watch Fit 5 Pro by 12 per cent. With the same volume, the battery offers a capacity of 471 mAh compared to 400 mAh in its predecessor. This should allow for 24 hours of active use including GPS tracking, seven days of typical use and ten days of light monitoring. While there are Huawei watches that last even longer, I still don’t have to pack the USB-A cable and charging puck for every short trip. Huawei hasn’t yet made the switch to USB-C and – like all smartwatch manufacturers – relies on a proprietary solution for wireless charging.
In my experience, the Watch Fit 5 Pro consumes about seven per cent of its battery in 24 hours – without GPS, but with all sensors active. Extrapolating from this, I expect it to last longer than the stated seven days. With GPS active, power consumption increases to five to six per cent per hour. While this doesn’t quite reach the promised 24 hours, it’s certainly enough for my athletic activities. All other values are virtually identical to the Watch Fit 4 Pro.
I find it very helpful that the watch now displays the expected remaining battery life before starting an activity and the battery level during tracking. This allows you to easily assess whether the Watch Fit 5 Pro still has enough power.
Some unresolved points of criticism
Some of my criticisms of the Watch 4 Pro Fit haven’t been addressed by the Watch Fit 5 Pro. For example, certain smartwatch functions are only available with Huawei mobiles, even though the watch is compatible with both Android and iOS. I also still find the design of Huawei’s Health app confusing and can’t understand how exercise minutes are measured. Sometimes I accumulate them while shopping, but not while cycling. However, if I track the ride, I get credit for every minute – regardless of the intensity.
In a nutshell
Still not quite perfect
The predecessor to the Watch Fit 5 Pro was – in my opinion – «almost perfect». Despite some improvements, that hasn’t changed.
It’s comfortable to wear, and its super-bright display’s easy to read even while exercising in bright sunlight. It’s easy to use, and the sensors reliably provide data for sports and health monitoring.
Huawei’s simplified mobile payments, but so far it doesn’t match the convenience of Apple Pay or Google Pay, and the battery life’s the same. Watch aside, I’d like to see a visual overhaul of Huawei’s Health app.
Pro
- Long battery life
- Very accurate GPS
- Provides a lot of movement and health data
Contra
- Battery life’s the same as its predecessor
- Mobile payment’s possible, but still awkward
- Charging cable has a USB-A connector
Header image: Jan Johannsen
Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.deAs a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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