Huawei’s GT Pro series has established itself as a formidable contender in the smartwatch market, offering premium materials, comprehensive health tracking, and exceptional battery life.
With the recent launch of the Watch GT 6 Pro, many consumers are wondering how it improves upon the already impressive GT 5 Pro and which model deserves a place on their wrist.
This detailed comparison breaks down the key differences between these two exceptional wearables across critical categories including display technology, build quality, battery performance, sports features, and health monitoring capabilities to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Display: Bigger, Brighter, but Equally Premium
While both watches share a commitment to premium aesthetics and materials, the GT 6 Pro introduces meaningful refinements to the display technology that enhance usability, particularly outdoors.
Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro vs GT 5 Pro: Design & Display Comparison
The most significant upgrade in the GT 6 Pro is its larger and dramatically brighter display.
The 1.47-inch screen offers a 5.5% larger viewing area and a peak brightness of 3000 nits—1.5 times brighter than its predecessor according to Huawei .
This makes the screen exceptionally easy to read under direct sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor athletes.
Both models feature sapphire glass protection and titanium alloy constructions, maintaining Huawei’s commitment to premium materials .
The GT 6 Pro continues the octagonal case design language but with a new vertical bezel design with scaled edges .
Water resistance remains consistent at 5 ATM with 40-meter freediving support on both models .
Battery Life and Performance: Significant Endurance Boost
Huawei has extended its leadership in smartwatch battery life with the GT 6 Pro, which delivers a substantial improvement over the already impressive GT 5 Pro.
Battery Life Comparison
The GT 6 Pro achieves this 50% increase in maximum battery life (21 days vs. 14 days) through an upgraded high-silicon battery that increases energy density by 37% .
In real-world terms, this means you can expect approximately 3 extra days of typical use between charges, reducing charging frequency significantly .
Both watches feature wireless charging and similar connectivity options including Bluetooth and NFC.
However, it’s worth noting that Huawei’s payment system (Quicko) requires topping up credit and may not be as convenient as Google Pay or Apple Pay in some regions .
Sports and Fitness Features: Advanced Metrics for Outdoor Enthusiasts
The GT 6 Pro introduces several specialized sports features that specifically target outdoor enthusiasts, particularly cyclists and trail runners, representing one of the most significant areas of improvement over the GT 5 Pro.
Enhanced Cycling Metrics
The GT 6 Pro introduces a virtual cycling power meter that estimates your power output (watts) without requiring additional sensors .
This feature, which provides results within a 5-10% deviation range compared to dedicated power meters, allows cyclists to monitor real-time and average power to adjust workout intensity .
The watch also now supports FTP (Functional Threshold Power) measurement over time when paired with a power meter, enabling more structured training .
Upgraded Outdoor Sports
Beyond cycling, the GT 6 Pro enhances several other outdoor activities.
Trail running now includes altitude trend displays, grade-adjusted pace, and estimated arrival times to waypoints .
The golf mode includes over 17,000 course maps worldwide with zoomable vector maps , while the skiing mode has been completely revamped with more detailed metrics .
Shared Sports Capabilities
Both models support an extensive range of over 100 sports modes and feature the TruSeen sensor technology for accurate heart rate monitoring during activities .
They also include automatic workout detection for running, walking, cycling, and other common activities .
Health and Wellness Monitoring: Comprehensive Tracking on Both Models
Huawei has equipped both the GT 6 Pro and GT 5 Pro with extensive health monitoring capabilities, with the GT 6 Pro building upon the foundation with more nuanced emotional wellbeing tracking.
The GT 6 Pro introduces an enhanced emotional wellbeing feature that categorizes your emotional state into 12 different types, presenting them visually as different flowers that evolve based on your mood .
This builds upon the stress tracking found in both models, offering more granular insights into your mental state.
Both watches share these core health monitoring features:
- ECG (Electrocardiogram) functionality for detailed heart health assessment
- Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis to detect potential atrial fibrillation risks
- 24/7 heart rate monitoring with high accuracy compared to chest straps
- Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring
- Comprehensive sleep tracking (TruSleep) with breathing analysis and snoring detection (when paired with a phone)
- Stress monitoring with guided breathing exercises
- Skin temperature monitoring
The GT 6 Pro also includes a new medically certified app for analyzing pulse wave arrhythmias, though this wasn’t yet available at the time of some reviews .
Smart Features and Compatibility: Identical Ecosystem Experience
When it comes to smart features and connectivity, both watches offer nearly identical experiences, running on Huawei’s HarmonyOS and connecting to smartphones via the Huawei Health app.
Both models are compatible with Android and iOS devices, though iPhone users face some limitations, particularly with notification responses and navigation features .
The Petal Maps navigation app, for instance, cannot be installed on iOS devices, limiting navigation functionality on iPhones .
Standard smart features on both watches include:
- Notification display (more interactive on Android)
- Bluetooth calling with built-in speaker and microphone
- Music playback control and standalone music storage
- Camera remote control for smartphone cameras
- Weather information and alarms
Both watches face the same limitation of a relatively small app ecosystem compared to Apple Watch or Wear OS devices, though the Huawei AppGallery does offer some third-party applications .
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
After examining the detailed differences between these two exceptional smartwatches, here are my specific recommendations:
Choose the Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro if:
- You’re a serious cyclist or trail runner who will benefit from the virtual power meter and enhanced outdoor metrics
- Maximum battery life is your priority, and you want up to 3 extra days of usage between charges
- You frequently use your watch in bright outdoor conditions and need the superior 3000 nits display
- Emotional wellbeing tracking with granular mood detection appeals to you
- Your budget allows for the premium pricing of the latest model
Choose the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro if:
- You can find it at a significant discount following the launch of the GT 6 Pro
- You prefer a smaller 42mm case size option, which the GT 6 Pro no longer offers
- The specialized cycling power metrics and slightly larger, brighter display aren’t critical for your needs
- You want access to Huawei’s premium build materials and comprehensive health tracking at a potentially lower price point
Huawei watch GT6 Pro vs Gt5 Pro deliver exceptional value within their respective price segments, offering premium materials, comprehensive health tracking, and outstanding battery life that surpasses many competitors.
The GT 6 Pro represents a meaningful evolution with its outdoor-focused features and enhanced battery, while the GT 5 Pro remains a compelling option for those who can find it at a discounted price.
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