Honor Launches the Watch 5 Ultra: A Stylish Smartwatch with Impressive Battery Life
For the past six months, I have been primarily using the Apple Watch Series 10, but recently switched to the Withings ScanWatch Nova. While I appreciate the consistency and reliability offered by the Apple Watch, I find the ScanWatch Nova's design to be superior, particularly because it is a hybrid model. This type of watch combines traditional analog aesthetics with smart features, allowing for an impressive battery life of over two weeks, which is a significant advantage.
Now, Honor is stepping into the smartwatch arena with its latest release, the Watch 5 Ultra, which aims to strike a perfect balance between functionality and design. This smartwatch is comparable to other high-end devices like the Galaxy Watch 7; however, it notably lacks Wear OS 5. Instead, Honor has equipped the Watch 5 Ultra with a more streamlined version of its Magic OS interface, which, while limited in terms of app availability, contributes positively to battery longevityâthe device can easily last up to two weeks on a single charge.
The name 'Ultra' may give a misleading impression, as the Watch 5 Ultra does not quite reach the same level of software finesse or desirability found in the Galaxy Watch Ultra or the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Nonetheless, it is much more budget-friendly, with a price tag of â¬279 (approximately $306) once it hits the market in the upcoming weeks. The most significant drawback remains its lack of Wear OS, but Honor has done a commendable job with the built-in features, and the watch effectively meets a number of expectations.
One of the standout aspects of the Watch 5 Ultra is its design. Honor has truly excelled in this area, crafting a smartwatch that unmistakably exudes high-end appeal. The watch case is constructed from a durable titanium alloy, and its unique octagonal shape sets it apart from the typical array of Android smartwatches. This blend of materials ensures that the watch is lightweight yet incredibly strong, leading to no complaints regarding its design integrity.
Standard with the Watch 5 Ultra is a fluoroelastomer band that offers an excellent range of adjustability. It is comfortable to wear and light enough that it doesnât add excessive weight. Additionally, the watch is designed to accommodate easily interchangeable bands, utilizing standard 22mm lugs for effortless customization.
The angular aesthetics of the Watch 5 Ultra are complemented by a functional button on the right side, which doubles as a rotating crown. This red-accented crown enhances the otherwise minimalist design and allows for smooth navigation through the interface. Accompanying this is a second configurable button that defaults to launch workout tracking.
The watch boasts a notable 46mm size, contributing significantly to its visual presence and making it appear larger than many competitors. This size advantage comes hand-in-hand with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display that refreshes at 60Hz, ensuring vibrant viewing even in bright outdoor settings. Notably, the watch employs LTPO technology, which optimizes battery consumption effectively.
During outdoor usage, I encountered no problems with visibility or performance. While the customization options are not as extensive as those offered through Wear OSâsuch as installing third-party watch facesâthe watch comes with a plethora of pre-installed options, which mitigated any feelings of limitation on my part. The slim bezels further contribute to the premium look of the device.
Despite its sizeable dimensions, the Watch 5 Ultra weighs in at only 51g, making it lighter than the ScanWatch Nova. However, it is worth noting that the watch is available in just one sizing option and does not support cellular connectivity. Still, if you are in the market for a larger smartwatch with a distinctive design, the Watch 5 Ultra checks all the right boxes.
However, it's the software that reveals some significant drawbacks. Although Honor has implemented a functional and responsive interface, it remains basic, lacking popular apps such as Spotify or Uber. On the brighter side, the watch effectively mirrors notifications from your smartphone, and its built-in speaker allows for making calls and listening to music locally. The Honor Health app also provides a user-friendly interface for adjusting settings through your smartphone.
The activity monitoring capabilities of the Watch 5 Ultra are commendable, offering support for over 100 different exercises along with insightful metrics like VO2Max during runs. Additionally, it efficiently tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and stress, providing consistent data accuracy. While I personally did not test its diving capabilities, the smartwatch can be used safely at depths of up to 40 meters.
Even though the software may be simplistic, the battery performance is outstanding. The Watch 5 Ultra consistently lasted more than two weeks on a single charge. With the always-on display and continuous heart rate monitoring activated, I still managed to get a full week of usageâan impressive feat for any smartwatch. A standout feature is the ability to charge the device using any Qi-compatible charging mat; although Honor includes its own custom charger, the standard Qi compatibility makes it extremely convenient for charging on the go.
In conclusion, the Watch 5 Ultra offers numerous appealing features. Its sophisticated styling, combined with a robust titanium chassis, allows it to stand out in the crowded smartwatch market. The 1.5-inch AMOLED display ranks among the best in its category, and it excels in both activity and health monitoring. While it may not provide extensive software capabilities, its exceptional battery life is a significant advantage over many other Android smartwatches. While it is positioned at a higher price point considering its features, for those seeking a larger smartwatch that performs well in the essential areas, the Watch 5 Ultra emerges as an excellent choice.
