Huawei HarmonyOS 5.1 Smartwatch Features, Price, and Launch Date

HarmonyOS 5.1 & AI: Ships with HarmonyOS Next 5.1 and a built-in AI assistant (Xiaoyi/Celia). It integrates two on-device AI models (Pangu and DeepSeek) for smarter voice search, context analysis, and health data processing. The Watch 5 is billed as Huawei’s first AI-powered smartwatch (“Harmony AI”), enabling new intelligent features on the wrist.

Voice Controls & Gestures: Supports voice commands via the AI assistant. New gesture controls let you answer calls or control timers with a simple hand wave. The latest update (HarmonyOS 5.1) adds a smart car key feature: you can unlock compatible cars directly from the watch using NFC, Bluetooth sensorless, or UWB digital keys (UWB on the 46 mm model). Other added features include fall-detection and SOS alerts, a voice-memo app, one-touch mobile payments on the lock screen, and enhanced gesture/timer control.

Health & Fitness Tracking: Equipped with Huawei’s new X-TAP multi-sensing tech (combining ECG electrodes, a fingertip SpO₂/PPG sensor, and a pressure sensor) for more accurate readings. It provides continuous fingertip SpO₂ monitoring (industry-first on a smartwatch), ECG and heart rate tracking, and advanced health checks (heart rate variability, stress levels, etc.). A one-tap “Health Overview” app summarizes multiple metrics (heart health, sleep, activity) in one glance. Sports and wellness features include sleep tracking (with HRV analysis), numerous exercise modes, and climbing altitude tracking for workouts.

Design & Display: Comes in two sizes with “male” (46 mm) and “female” (42 mm) variants. The 46 mm model uses aerospace-grade titanium (and comes in a new purple/silver finish), while the 42 mm uses 904L stainless steel. Both have high-quality straps (fluoroelastomer, leather or metal options). The watch face is a bright LTPO AMOLED panel – 1.5″ (46 mm) or 1.38″ (42 mm) – at 466×466 pixels and up to 3000 nits peak brightnessc. Always-on display mode is supported for both sizes.

Connectivity: Supports standalone cellular via built-in eSIM and 5G (making it Huawei’s first 5G-capable wearable). It also has Bluetooth 5.2 (for calling/music), dual-band Wi-Fi 6, NFC (for mobile payments and digital keys), and GPS (L1/L5). On a paired phone, it handles call notifications, music controls, and app alerts; it can also store playlists and take calls directly on the watch via eSIM.

Durability: Rated 5 ATM water-resistant (up to 50 m) and IP69 dust/waterproo. It meets EN13319 diving gear standards (tested to 40 m), so it’s safe for swimming and snorkeling (though Huawei advises against hot showers or soapy water).

Battery Life: Huawei claims up to ~4.5 days use on the 46 mm model (standard mode) and ~3 days on the 42 mm. In power-saver mode, those extend to about 11 days and 7 days respectively. (Using always-on display or heavy GPS use will reduce these in practice.)