Huawei Watch D2 Review: Hands-On With the Latest Smartwatch Offering
Huawei Watch D2 Review: A Blood Pressure Monitoring Smartwatch
Design and Build Quality
The Huawei Watch D2 is a stylish smartwatch that boasts a familiar design, but with a unique twist – it comes equipped with a built-in inflatable cuff for blood pressure monitoring. Our review unit’s white composite leather strap and subtle golden body make it look exceptionally stylish. In the box, you’ll find a magnetic charging puck with a built-in USB-A cable, as well as straps in two sizes. The strap itself is incredibly comfortable to wear and easy to adjust, making it a great option for daily use. The watch is also very light, making it easy to forget you’re even wearing it.
However, the body is made of aluminum, and we found that it scuffed easily in everyday activities. This may not be as durable as Huawei’s Pro series watches. The watch has a 1.82-inch OLED screen with a pixel density of 347ppi, which is excellent in direct sunlight. The body measures 48 x 38mm and is slightly thicker than usual, but this is necessary to accommodate the miniature air pump inside the inflatable cuff.
Software
The Watch D2 runs on HarmonyOS 5.0, Huawei’s latest wearable OS. This version comes with more frequent prompts about reaching your daily activity goals and access to sleep breathing assessment at night. You also get first-party apps like a Calculator and Barometer, as well as the option to download a few third-party apps. However, HarmonyOS 5 still has its limitations, including the lack of auto exercise detection and some regional limitations on features like Wallet or Mental health assessment.
Blood Pressure Monitoring
The Watch D2’s blood pressure monitoring system is unique, but it also comes with some caveats. To get accurate readings, you need to ensure consistent measuring conditions and proper form. We found that using the watch’s wrist cuff monitor resulted in less consistent accuracy compared to dedicated blood pressure monitors. Additionally, measuring blood pressure lying down with the watch’s wrist cuff monitor produced unreliable results.
Verdict
The Watch D2 costs £350/€400, which is more than the current flagship Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro. While the built-in inflatable cuff for blood pressure monitoring is a unique proposition, it comes at a cost. If you’re looking for a smartwatch with long battery life, you can get 90% of the features with the Huawei Watch Fit 3 for less than half the price. However, if the convenience of having the Watch D2 on your wrist gets you to check your blood pressure regularly, then the price may be worth it.
Pros:
- Upmarket look and feel
- Sharp and performing well in any environment
- Intuitive user interface with fluid performance
- Great battery life
- Fast and solid GPS lock during exercise tracking
- Accurate blood pressure measurement (with a few caveats)
Cons:
- Metal and glass scuff more easily than other Huawei watches
- Not suitable for swimming or showering despite IP68 rating
- HarmonyOS 5 still has some odd limitations, and apps are limited
- Accurate blood pressure measurement requires proper form and conditions (valid for any wrist cuff monitor)
- Individual blood pressure measurements are often off (valid for any wrist cuff monitor), and the watch does not automatically average consecutive measurements.
