HarmonyOS alone is simply not enough for the new Smartwatch
With the Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro, Huawei has introduced two smartwatches that run with the new HarmonyOS operating system. But is the operating system alone enough to conquer the market? A comment by Peter Hryciuk.
Huawei Watch 3: First Smartwatch with HarmonyOS
The wait is finally over. The Chinese company Huawei has presented the first devices with HarmonyOS, which are also sold in Germany. Including the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro. Two very chic watches that are offered in different designs and with different bracelets at prices from 369 euros. HarmonyOS naturally plays a major role. Operation should be simpler and more sophisticated. So that it works, you have it Copied digital crown of Apple Watch. It sits a little higher than the competing product, but works exactly the same way. In general, Huawei has taken over a lot from Apple, for example with the new tablet. But that’s another topic.
Just a few weeks ago, Huawei announced that future smartwatches would be equipped with new sensors. Including blood pressure and blood sugar measurements. However, none of this is used in the Huawei Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro. Much worse not even an EKG function was integrated. This is standard on the Galaxy Watch 3 and Apple Watch 6. So basically nothing changes in terms of the range of functions. The look of the software and hardware has been changed, but nothing more. Why should you then pay up to 600 euros for a watch like this?
Huawei Watch 3 always with eSIM
Now Huawei has done something that no other manufacturer has dared to do before. The Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro are available only with eSIM for the LTE network. So you can use many of the functions of the smartwatch without a smartphone if you get a contract. But which services are supported on HarmonyOS that can be used on the go and independently? You don’t have access to the Play Store, only to the Huawei store. There the selection is much smaller. In addition, the watches with eSIM are of course more expensive than expected. Not everyone needs the function, but has to pay for it, even if they don’t use it. A cheaper WiFi version would definitely be the better solution here.
In this Video you can see what Huawei has presented:
What is left in the end?
In the end, Huawei has changed the look of the Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro compared to previous versions and with the digital crown copied something from Apple that has proven itself. Technically there are no new functions, something is still missing. You will first have to find out what the software can really do. Presumably, the full potential can only be exploited together with a smartphone, tablet and television with HarmonyOS. For all those who do not want a completely new configuration, the only thing left is probably the Apple Watch or the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 with Google Wear. I really expected more. Maybe next year then.
Note: The opinions expressed in this article are solely the views of the author and are not necessarily the position of the entire GIGA editorial team.
