Smartwatches have become increasingly similar, but the Huawei Watch Fit 3 stands out by embracing a design reminiscent of Apple’s iconic wearable. While some might dismiss it as a copycat, the Watch Fit 3 manages to carve out its own identity, delivering an exceptional user experience that prompted me to swap out my Apple Watch Series 7 in favour of Huawei’s wearable.
The resemblance between the Watch Fit 3 and the Apple Watch is undeniable. The squarish design, digital crown, and overall aesthetics bear an uncanny likeness to Apple’s offering. However, Huawei’s smartwatch reveals its unique personality upon closer inspection, revolving around exceptional battery life and a user-friendly interface.
In contrast to the Apple Watch’s daily charging ritual, the Huawei’s wearable boasts an impressive battery life lasting up to 10 days on a single charge. This feat is remarkable in the smartwatch world, where most devices struggle to last a day without needing to be tethered to a power source. During my time with the Watch Fit 3, I found myself forgetting about the battery entirely – a luxury few smartwatch users get to experience.
Powering the Watch Fit 3 is Huawei’s proprietary HarmonyOS, an operating system that strikes a wonderful a balance between functionality and ease of use. While lacking deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem, the Watch Fit 3 seamlessly syncs with my iPhone 15 Pro, allowing me to read and respond to notifications, control music playback, and even locate my misplaced smartphone – a handy feature partially offsetting the lack of integration with Apple’s Find My Network for other devices linked to my Apple ID. It’s worth noting that the Watch Fit 3 also works seamlessly worth Android handsets and that Huawei is the only manufacturer currently supporting three operating systems – HarmonyOS (or EMUI for those of us not in China), Android and iOS.
The Watch Fit 3 truly excels in its fitness tracking capabilities. Huawei has packed an impressive array of sensors, enabling accurate monitoring of activities from running and cycling to swimming and weight training. The companion Huawei Health app provides a comprehensive overview of fitness data, complete with personalised insights and recommendations.
However, the Watch Fit 3 falls short in third-party app support. The selection is limited compared to Apple and Google’s vast ecosystems, which could be a dealbreaker for those relying heavily on specific apps for productivity, entertainment, or specialised tasks.
Despite this, the Huawei Watch Fit 3 is a compelling offering in the smartwatch market. Its impressive battery life, robust fitness tracking capabilities, and user-friendly interface make it a worthy contender for anyone seeking a smartwatch that can keep up with an active lifestyle without constant battery worry. And while bearing an uncanny resemblance to Apple’s iconic design, the Watch Fit 3 manages to carve out its own identity, proving that imitation can sometimes lead to innovation.
