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Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Huawei's new Watch Fit 4 now comes in a Pro version. The price increase isn't painless, but some of its features are in line with those of the brand's most high-end watches.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The new edition of Huawei's Watch Fit has finally been presented in Berlin, or rather the new editions, one should say. This year, the new Watch Fit 4 model is, in fact, accompanied by a Pro reference. It is therefore the Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro that we were able to test in preview. And while these two new Fit models look alike - at first glance, like two peas in a pod - the Pro brings advanced features, not to mention new ones to this range.

With its rectangular format, the Fit 4 Pro stands out from Huawei's more traditional-looking watches, inspired by the world of watchmaking with their circular dial. With its new features, does the Watch Fit 4 Pro retain the strengths that made the range so successful? Are its thin, light, and elegant design, its appeal for sports activities, and its good battery life still among its strong points? After a few days of testing, here's what we thought of the Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Price and availability

The Watch Fit 4 Pro is already available for €279.99, a price significantly higher than last year's Watch Fit 3, which ranged from €159 to €179, depending on the version. This is quite logical given its premium equipment and new features. The Watch Fit 4, on the other hand, remains at a price close to that of 2024, i.e. 169.99 euros.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The Watch Fit 4 Pro will be available in 3 versions, in black or blue with a matching fluoroelastomer strap, but also in green with a fabric strap (nylon, also matching). The Watch Fit 4 will be available in black, purple, white and gray. Both watches come with a USB-A wireless charger.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Straps will of course be available on the Huawei website for those who wish to customize their model. Changing it is still as simple and quick as ever with a single press thanks to the buttons located under the dial and the choice extends well beyond the accessories sold by Huawei thanks to a standard 20 mm strap.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro specifications

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The Watch Fit 4 shares many of the same features as its big sister, the Pro. Its screen is a little less bright (2000 vs. 3000 nits) and its case is a little thicker (9.5 mm vs. 9.3 mm). It is, however, 4 grams lighter. In terms of features, its charging time is slower (75 minutes versus 60 minutes) and it lacks certain modes like golf or diving as well as health functions like ECG. Its design is also less sought after in the choice of materials, while remaining extremely pleasant and elegant, with an aluminum case.

An even thinner design

Far from the brand's usual circular dials, the Watch Fit 4 Pro adopts a rectangular format that is rather pleasing to the eye. This is much less pronounced than on the brand's Band bracelets, which are quite narrow, or even than on the first Fit. It is in a style that inevitably recalls that of the Apple Watch. Moreover, the screen diagonal is more or less between those of the Apple Watch Series 10 of 42 mm and 46 mm, but with a much thinner case for the Fit4 pro, just 9.3 mm. As you may have guessed, there is only one model of Watch Fit 4 Pro, intended for both women and men, hence its intermediate format with a 1.82-inch screen, like last year.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The wearing is in any case very comfortable, due to the lightness of the watch which is only 3 or 4 ranges lighter than the Fit 4 model, but also thanks to the strap. Its soft and textured material makes it pleasant to wear on a daily basis, especially during sports activities. Its classic closure system allows it to be adjusted perfectly.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

To customize this Fit, you'll need to choose the color of the case and strap, as well as the many dials, free or paid, to download. The green model has a gold frame with a green crown. The black model, with a dark gray dial, is brightened up with a red crown. The blue model we received for testing is dressed in a silver case, with a blue rim and crown.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

In terms of design, this Pro model doesn't have much to envy the Apple company's flagship model, the Watch Ultra 2. The Watch Fit 4 Pro can boast of being equipped with a titanium bezel with an aerospace-grade aluminum case. Enough to withstand the abuse of intensive outdoor use! Huawei has also used sapphire glass for the screen of its latest model, to protect it from shocks and potential scratches. Completely waterproof, this Pro model can accompany you to a depth of 40 meters to enjoy the diving mode (freediving), including in salt water provided you rinse the watch after a session.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

In addition to the touchscreen, the rotating crown that appeared on the Watch Fit 3 is still present to facilitate navigation. With a single press, it opens or closes the general menu and a rotation scrolls through the functions. It is accompanied by a button which, by default, gives access, with a press, to activity tracking (called Training). With a double press, it gives access to Wallet on this test model. While it is possible to program the single press to replace quick access to training with another function, this is not the case with the double press. Since the payment app isn't available in France, a function other than Wallet will likely be assigned to the double tap.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Screen: among the brightest on the market

Despite a relatively affordable price compared to competing high-end watches, Huawei hasn't skimped on components, especially the display. The sapphire crystal that protects the large AMOLED screen is complemented by very high brightness, which is generally only found on the most expensive models. By deactivating automatic mode and pushing the slider all the way down, you can be sure to be able to check your vitals at a glance at any time, even when exercising in direct sunlight. With 3000 nits announced at peak, twice as much as the Fit 3 which reached 1500 nits, it is better to remember to reactivate the automatic brightness, in normal use, otherwise the battery will be drained prematurely.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The screen also benefits from a high resolution of 347 dots per inch which has nothing to be ashamed of compared to those found in the brand's high-end models. Combined with this almost square panel, reading data is very comfortable. Even a slightly long SMS can be read at a glance, without scrolling or squinting. For those who enjoy downloading watch faces that can display the number of steps, the number of calories burned, or even the remaining battery percentage, it's quite easy to read the small print.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The settings for this screen are just as comprehensive as usual. You can fine-tune Do Not Disturb or Sleep mode for different days or time slots, switch to Always On mode, or choose how you want to revive the display. With a downward swipe, you can access the main settings, including a flashlight whose intensity can be increased by turning the crown. Well seen.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Sports activity tracking is expanded

Huawei has equipped its watch with numerous sensors and components, some of which are usually reserved for the premium Watch and Watch GT models. In addition to classic sensors such as accelerometers or even heart rate monitors, there is a device capable of performing an ECG, measuring blood oxygen levels or even taking skin temperature.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

More rarely, the Watch 4 Pro is capable of detecting the flexibility of the arteries, as offered by the Watch GT 3 Pro from 2022. A complete piece of equipment for taking care of your health and in particular benefiting from activity tracking rich in information and precise, including sleep.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

As a result, Huawei is expanding its activity tracking capabilities with its new Fit, which is still as numerous as ever, joining those of its latest Watch GT 5. Water sports now include freediving, while barometric data allows for better tracking of activities such as trail running or hiking.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Even the GPS has been improved, with the integration of the new Sunflower positioning system also discovered on the Watch GT 5, very useful for running or cycling. In practice, the GPS is triggered quickly and the route is precise. You can also take advantage of adding routes with the integration of RouteDraw, compatible with the specialist Komoot.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Athletes will appreciate, particularly for activities like running, the large amount of data recorded: stride length, average pace, VO2 max, altitude, aerobic time, anaerobic time, and recovery time. This is valuable information for those who train regularly. Some strategic information, such as pulse or distance covered, can be accessed directly from the watch to be consulted during the session. Others are saved in the Health app, which, although in a new version (tested here in beta), does not change too much. We won't complain about it given its richness and clarity.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

With the constantly improving TruSense system, sensor data is used to help you improve your well-being. Sleep tracking is particularly accurate with the ability to record sounds during the night such as snoring.

However, we regret that, to go further and take advantage of the watch's many possibilities, it is necessary to subscribe to a paid offer, santé+ (7.99 euros per month or 59.99 euros per year). Many "VIP" programs and functions like Stay Fit, some premium classes or some sleep music (now accessible directly from the health tab of the application) will only be accessible under this condition.

Proper management of calls and SMS

While Huawei focuses on sports and health, the communication functions that make the Watch Fit 4 Pro even smarter are not forgotten. However, if you expect this watch to provide the service provided by an Apple Watch or a Google Watch, you will inevitably be disappointed. Managing emails or appointments is limited to receiving notifications.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

On the other hand, SMS management is more developed. The display of smileys is supported and, above all, it is possible to reply to messages via a quick response system or even detailed, thanks to an azerty keyboard. This requires dexterity given the size of the keys, even if predictive suggestions are available to help. We were never able to receive WhatsApp notifications (probably a bug in this beta version of the Health app). It is therefore impossible to know if it will be possible to respond.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

With the watch, it is however possible to make and receive calls via Bluetooth thanks to the microphone and the integrated speaker, of sufficient quality to hold an audible conversation, if the environment is not too noisy. Of course, the smartphone must be near the watch, the latter being only available in Bluetooth version (no eSIM model like with an Apple Watch, for example). You can reject a call by sending a quick pre-recorded response, practical!

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Not as scalable as we would like

Like all Huawei watches, the Watch Fit 4 Pro runs on Harmony OS, here in its latest version 5.1. The advantage of this OS is that it can work with an Android smartphone as well as an iPhone (with functional restrictions on the latter). However, some functions are reserved for Huawei smartphones running EMUI. This is particularly the case for the AI Voice voice assistant. It's a shame, because the easiest way to respond to text messages would be to use this assistant, but it's impossible with an Android smartphone.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The most frustrating thing is the lack of opportunities to access new features through downloading third-party applications. Not that a store doesn't exist; you can access the AppGallery from the Health application and find some programs there. However, it's nothing like the Google or Apple store. There are barely more than twenty applications (some of which are paid, moreover), and not always of the greatest interest to a French audience! Among the most attractive, we find Huawei's Petal Maps for GPS navigation or Opus Camera to trigger the camera from the watch... but the latter is limited to low-quality shots in its free version (2.8 Mpx instead of 12 Mpx on our test phone).

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

Satisfactory battery life and ultra-fast charging

As is often the case with Huawei watches, you won't have to recharge your watch every night! The battery life announced by the brand turns out to be accurate. The Watch Fit 4 Pro lasted almost 8 days without recharging, with typical use interspersed with 5 or 6 activity sessions with tracking. Enough to spend a long weekend in peace, or even a short week in the countryside without a charger in your luggage.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro Review: A Step Up in All Levels

The charging speed is also one of the Watch Fit 4 Pro's strong points. Huawei advertises a charging time of 60 minutes, which, in our tests, turned out to be shorter. With a Huawei charger plugged into the mains, it took us 15 minutes to recover 40% of battery life and just over 45 minutes to reach 100%.

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