Honor Watch 6 Pro launches with unusual health features

With the Watch 6 Pro (in Chinese), Honor launched a new smartwatch in China today, September 28. While the Watch 6 Plus, which launched in May, primarily focuses on sports features and long battery life, the Pro model puts health monitoring front and center. The watch is available in five different design variants, including models with ceramic elements.

Cardiac arrest detection and blood pressure monitoring

Perhaps the most notable new feature is a warning system for potential cardiac arrest. To do this, the watch analyzes optical sensor signals from the wrist. If it detects unusual readings, it is designed to initially alert the wearer with strong vibrations. If the system detects a particularly high risk, it can call designated emergency contacts and display instructions for CPR and the use of a defibrillator. To contact emergency contacts, the watch must be connected to a properly configured smartphone.

The second major health feature is called “Blood Pressure 2.0.” It is designed to track changes in blood pressure throughout the day and use AI to identify correlations with activity, daily routines and other factors. In addition, the Watch 6 Pro can display glucose data from a compatible Sinocare CGM sensor. This requires an external sensor and an additional app. The watch cannot measure blood glucose on its own.

When it comes to these health features, it is worth taking a closer look at the fine print: Users must participate in the respective research programs to use the cardiac arrest and blood pressure monitoring features. Honor explicitly states that the Watch 6 Pro is not a medical device and warns that the watch may fail to detect cardiac arrests or issue false alerts.

Brighter display, but shorter battery life than the Watch 6 Plus

Honor claims a global peak brightness of 4,500 nits for the 1.5-inch dual-layer OLED display, making it larger and brighter than the screen on the Watch 6 Plus. The smartwatch also features dual-band GNSS with three antennas. Battery life is rated at up to ten days with typical use. For comparison, the Watch 6 Plus is rated for up to 17 days.

In China, the Watch 6 Pro has a regular price of 1,799 yuan, but is currently being offered at a reduced launch price of 1,699 yuan, equivalent to around $253. It is currently unclear whether or when the Honor Watch 6 Pro will launch outside China.