Verdict - Watch Ultimate 2 is Huawei’s technical spearhead
The Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 is an impressive piece of engineering. Its dive mode, in particular, shows just how far the hardware can be pushed, yet the smartwatch also performs confidently outside those extreme use cases.
The display reaches exceptional brightness levels and set new records in our tests. At the same time, the large battery means you don’t have to charge it daily. Materials and build quality leave nothing to complain about, and dual GNSS plus eSIM support provide stable, reliable connectivity.
The weak points are familiar ones: limited NFC payment options and a relatively small app ecosystem.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
Huawei offers the Watch Ultimate 2 in two color variants. The black model is more understated, while the silver version with blue and white accents is noticeably more eye-catching. Both models are identical in terms of hardware. The €100 price difference comes from the additional titanium link bracelet included with the silver/blue version.
The black Watch Ultimate 2 has an RRP of €899, while the silver model is priced at €999.
Translator’s note: The prices mentioned in this review refer to the EU market.
- $279.00HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro 46 mm Smartwatch, Sharp-Edged Design, up to 14 Days Battery Life, Pro-Level Sports Watch, Health Tracking, Compatible with iOS and Android, Black
- $9.89UYRUREL Screen Protector for HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate 2 Smart Watch, High-definition Scratch Resistant PMMA Film,HD Clear,Perfectly Fitting Bubble Free with Easy Installation Kit,3 Pack.
Table of Contents
- Verdict - Watch Ultimate 2 is Huawei’s technical spearhead
- Case and features - Watch Ultimate 2 in an elegant metal housing
- Setup and operation - Huawei Health app at the center
- Health and fitness - Watch Ultimate 2 delivers health reports
- Display Watch Ultimate 2 with new peak brightness value
- Performance and runtime - Watch Ultimate 2 runs smoothly
- Possible alternatives in comparison
The Watch Ultimate is Huawei's flagship smartwatch. The second-generation model is designed to be even more premium and offer additional features. With the first Watch Ultimate, we were disappointed by the weak GNSS performance, especially considering its advertised expedition mode.
The Watch Ultimate 2 is intended to deliver better navigation thanks to a new antenna. It also includes eSIM support. Huawei highlights a new golf mode and diving capability down to 150 meters. With built-in sonar, the Watch Ultimate 2 can even communicate underwater.
The Huawei smartwatch is compatible with both iOS and Android.
Case and features - Watch Ultimate 2 in an elegant metal housing
The watch uses a zirconium alloy case, which is claimed to be extremely durable. This is paired with a ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal. The bezel is non-rotating and sits flush with the glass. On the silver model, the bezel features a two-tone design.
On the right side, you’ll find a rotating and pressable crown, a button, a speaker and Huawei’s X-Tap sensor. The left side houses another button and a depth sensor. The 22-millimetre band can be swapped out without tools.
The sport band is made of fluoroelastomer and comes in two sizes. The titanium link bracelet can be adjusted tool-free by removing links. Build quality is excellent: all buttons feel solid with a clean click, and we encountered no scratches during the test period.
The Watch Ultimate 2 weighs 126.8 grams with the link bracelet and 82 grams without. Despite the weight, the watch is comfortable to wear.
Sustainability - Huawei does not provide any information
Huawei does not disclose details about recycled materials, recyclability or CO₂ emissions. The packaging, however, is largely plastic-free.
Setup and operation - Huawei Health app at the center
The Huawei Health app is required to set up and operate the Watch Ultimate 2. The latest version is still not available in the Google Play Store, but it can be downloaded from other app stores or directly via the browser.
In testing, the smartwatch was detected immediately and paired without issues. Several permissions must be granted during setup. A Huawei ID is also required. At the end of the process, a tutorial launches on the watch. One thing stands out: every app opened on the smartwatch requires its own separate data-processing consent.
The Health app is divided into five sections: Health, Training, VIP, Devices and Account. The Health tab acts as a dashboard for all recorded biometric data, displayed as customizable tiles.
Completed workouts appear under Training. VIP unlocks access to the paid Plus tier. The Devices tab contains settings, the AppGallery, music management and a large selection of watch faces.
NFC payments are supported, but only through an external prepaid service.
The rotating, pressable crown is used for scrolling through menus. Pressing it opens the app menu or returns you to the watch face. A double tap brings up recently used apps, while a long press opens the power menu.
The lower button opens a shortcut menu. By default, it provides quick access to Health Glance, the phone app and the training menu. Double-tapping this button launches the Wallet app. The button on the left side opens the dive app by default. Button assignments can be changed in the settings, although not every app can be mapped as a shortcut.
Huawei also relies on swipe gestures for navigation. Swiping gives access to quick settings, notifications and tiles. Tiles summarize key information for specific categories, and their arrangement can be customized.
Telephony and notifications - Watch Ultimate with eSIM and full keyboard
Thanks to eSIM support, the Watch Ultimate 2 can make calls and receive messages even without a paired smartphone. The smartwatch provides access to call logs and all contacts stored on the phone, and numbers can also be entered manually via an on-screen keypad.
Call quality was impressive in testing. Huawei promotes AI-based wind-noise reduction, and in everyday use the watch is perfectly suitable for short calls. The speaker is loud enough to remain usable outdoors.
Notifications are delivered reliably. Whether longer messages are fully displayed depends on the app: WhatsApp shows entire texts, while Gmail only displays the sender and subject line. Emojis appear without issue, but images are not supported.
Response options are extensive. The watch includes customizable quick replies and emoji support. It also features a full QWERTY keyboard, which worked accurately in testing.
Voice assistant - Missing on the Watch Ultimate 2
Huawei does not offer a voice assistant on the Watch Ultimate 2.
Health and fitness - Watch Ultimate 2 delivers health reports
The Watch Ultimate 2 offers a wide range of health features. It tracks stress levels and general mood, and it can also monitor skin temperature. A fall-detection sensor is included; if the watch detects a fall and the wearer doesn’t respond, it can alert designated emergency contacts.
The software compiles key health metrics into Health Glance reports, including average heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen saturation, skin temperature, stress levels, emotional trends, ECG results, cardiac arrhythmia analysis, arterial stiffness, a breathing test, and sleep-breathing data.
Tests can be launched manually on the watch by placing a finger on the X-Tap sensor, and they take only about a minute. Beyond the individual readings, the software also provides Health Insights, highlighting changes and trends such as an unusually high resting heart rate.
Activity targets - Huawei with shamrocks and trends
Huawei offers several visual formats for activity targets. Alongside the familiar rings, there’s also a cloverleaf layout. Its leaves fill up over the course of the day, with the smartwatch tracking daily patterns and setting goals such as waking up within a specific time window or staying active throughout the day.
If enabled, the watch reminds you to get up regularly. The Watch Ultimate 2 doesn’t just count steps; it also reports distance traveled and altitude gained. Activity data can be viewed by day, week, or month.
The software additionally highlights broader activity trends.
Heart rate, heart rhythm and blood oxygen saturation
The Watch Ultimate 2 measures heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and ECG. To better assess the accuracy of these readings, we compare them with reference devices. We’ve covered the challenges of such comparisons in a separate article.
For heart rate, we use a Polar H10 chest strap as the reference. The resting heart-rate deviation is one beat per minute, equivalent to 1.75 percent. We also measured performance heart rate at three different times. Across these tests, the average deviation is 0.96 percent, with the largest single deviation being two beats per minute.
For blood oxygen saturation, we use a Braun pulse oximeter as the reference device. Across three measurements, the average deviation is 1.01 percent, and the highest deviation in a single reading is two percentage points.
Sleep tracking - Huawei with music to fall asleep to and sleep recommendations
The Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 offers extensive sleep tracking. It records the different sleep stages and shows both their timing and their proportion of total sleep. These stages are visualized on a timeline.
The watch also tracks deep-sleep continuity, breathing quality, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate. Detecting sleep sounds requires a paired smartphone nearby. Overall sleep is rated using a score and a star system, and the software provides analyses and recommendations to improve sleep quality.
Any deviations from typical values are highlighted. The app also includes a selection of music and ambient sounds to help with relaxation and falling asleep. The Watch Ultimate 2 does not offer a smart alarm.
Training recording - Watch Ultimate 2 transmits underwater
The Watch Ultimate 2 supports a wide range of sports. You can set goals for individual activities and customize the data fields shown on the display. Depending on the sport, additional features are available, such as course recognition for sports fields or a virtual pacer. Automatic workout detection performed very well in testing, though it still requires confirmation before recording starts.
One standout feature is the dive mode. The smartwatch is rated for depths of up to 150 meters, and a dedicated diving app assists with timing. The manufacturer highlights sonar-based underwater communication, which works without any additional equipment. The Watch Ultimate 2 can send text messages and SOS alerts underwater, with a stated range of up to 30 meters.
The watch also includes an expedition mode. Offline maps can be stored, and waypoints can be set to help navigate unfamiliar terrain. Return navigation is supported, and the Watch Ultimate 2 can emit an audible SOS signal.
Another new addition is a golf-course mode, featuring 1,000 stored courses across 19 countries. The smartwatch is designed to aid navigation on the course and provides digital point maps.
GNSS and navigation - Petal Maps and offline maps on the Watch Ultimate 2
The Watch Ultimate 2 supports all major satellite systems with dual-band reception. The new antenna performs well, and we experienced no connection dropouts during testing. Positioning is quick and reliable.
Petal Maps comes preinstalled on the smartwatch, enabling on-watch navigation. The companion app also needs to be installed on the paired smartphone. Both arrow-based guidance and map navigation are available.
Offline maps for selected regions can be downloaded directly to the Watch Ultimate 2, allowing navigation even without an internet connection.
Display Watch Ultimate 2 with new peak brightness value
Huawei has equipped the Watch Ultimate 2 with a 1.5-inch AMOLED panel. In our tests, the display reached a peak brightness of 3,675 cd/m², setting a new record. This makes the smartwatch easy to read even in direct sunlight.
Content appears sharp at 310 ppi. Without the ambient light sensor, the maximum brightness is 543 nits. We did observe screen flickering at 60 Hz. The Watch Ultimate 2 also includes a customizable always-on display and reliable raise-to-wake detection.
| Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 | Apple Watch Series 11 42mm | Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 | Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro | OnePlus Watch 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response Times | ||||||
| PWM Frequency (Hz) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 121 |
| Screen | -42% | -14% | -17% | -18% | -84% | |
| Brightness middle (cd/m²) | 3675 | 2117 -42% | 3174 -14% | 3052 -17% | 3020 -18% | 593 -84% |
| Black Level * (cd/m²) | ||||||
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -42% /
-42% | -14% /
-14% | -17% /
-17% | -18% /
-18% | -84% /
-84% |
* ... smaller is better
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM detected | 60 Hz |  | |
The display backlight flickers at 60 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) . The frequency of 60 Hz is very low, so the flickering may cause eyestrain and headaches after extended use. In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8121 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. | |||
Performance and runtime - Watch Ultimate 2 runs smoothly
Huawei does not disclose any details about the SiP used in the Watch Ultimate 2. Information about RAM and storage is also not provided. Because the smartwatch lacks a browser, we cannot run benchmarks. In everyday use, however, the Watch Ultimate 2 delivers consistently smooth performance.
Apps open quickly, and transitions between tiles are fluid. The watch also remains cool to the touch, even under load.
Battery life - Watch Ultimate 2 lasts at least 3 days
Huawei claims the Watch Ultimate 2 can run for up to 4.5 days when paired with an Android smartphone, and around three days with the always-on display enabled. In testing, we wore the smartwatch continuously and enabled all tracking features.
Our results match Huawei’s claims. Without eSIM, we achieved five days of use with the AoD off and four days with the AoD on. When the watch is used without a paired smartphone and worn heavily during sports activities, battery life decreases accordingly.
Huawei includes an 867 mAh battery. Charging is wireless via a Qi pad. Using an Anker 355 power supply, the Watch Ultimate 2 went from 3 to 50 percent in 40 minutes, and a full charge required roughly 90 minutes.
Possible alternatives in comparison
Image | Model | Price | Size | Weight | Battery Capacity | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.  | Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 | Amazon: 1. $299.00 HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro 46 mm ... 2. $279.00 HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro 46 mm ... 3. $9.89 UYRUREL Screen Protector for... List Price: 999€ | 1.50" | 80.5 g | 867 mAh | 1.50" 466x466 310 PPI AMOLED |
2.  | Apple Watch Series 11 42mm S10 | Amazon: 1. $329.00 Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 4... 2. $329.00 Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 4... 3. $371.07 Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 4... List Price: 449€ | 1.27" | 37.7 g | 327 mAh | 1.27" 374x446 326 PPI OLED |
3.  | Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro | Amazon: 1. $299.00 HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro 46 mm ... 2. $279.00 HUAWEI Watch GT 5 Pro 46 mm ... 3. $7.99 Suttkue Compatible For Huawe... List Price: 379€ | 1.47" | 54 g | 867 mAh | 1.47" 466x466 317 PPI AMOLED |
4.  | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Exynos W1000, Mali-G68 MP2 | Amazon: 1. $249.99 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025... 2. $249.99 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025... 3. $279.99 Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025... List Price: 459€ | 1.50" | 52.1 g | 435 mAh | 1.50" 480x480 AMOLED |
5.  | Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro | Amazon: 1. $403.08 HUAWEI Watch FIT4 Pro Smart ... 2. $13.99 Lamshaw Compatible with Huaw... 3. $129.00 HUAWEI Watch FIT 3，1.82" A... List Price: 279€ | 1.82" | 30.4 g | 400 mAh | 1.82" 480x408 347 PPI AMOLED |
6.  | OnePlus Watch 2 SD W5 Gen 1 | Amazon: $209.66 List Price: 299 329 | 1.43" | 80 g | 500 mAh | 1.43" 466x466 326 PPI AMOLED |
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
This is how Notebookcheck is testing
Every year, Notebookcheck independently reviews hundreds of laptops and smartphones using standardized procedures to ensure that all results are comparable. We have continuously developed our test methods for around 20 years and set industry standards in the process. In our test labs, high-quality measuring equipment is utilized by experienced technicians and editors. These tests involve a multi-stage validation process. Our complex rating system is based on hundreds of well-founded measurements and benchmarks, which maintains objectivity. Further information on our test methods can be found here.
