Huawei rivals Apple with 'premium' smart watch features and 11-day battery

Apple has a new rival as a smartwatch designed to mimic a traditional timepiece is garnering high praise from experts. Merging classic watch aesthetics with modern features, the HUAWEI Watch Ultimate 2 offers a stylish alternative for those who crave the functionality of a smartwatch without the digital look.

The device is available for £899.99 at the HUAWEI website and is available in both blue and black. This next-generation smartwatch is touted as blending robust materials with state-of-the-art technology and features, while being suitable for both everyday use and extreme environments.

Built with a zirconium-based liquid metal case, a dual-colour nanocrystal ceramic bezel and sapphire glass, the HUAWEI Watch Ultimate 2 is water resistant up to 150 metres, making it perfect for deep sea diving and other water activities. One of its standout features is its underwater sonar-based communication.

Divers can send preset messages and emoticons to other watches within 30 minutes, while an underwater SOS function covers up to 60 metres, providing an extra safety measure. The HUAWEI Watch Ultimate 2 also supports music playback and calls whilst submerged.

On land, the gap antenna system and Sunflower Positioning System ensure quick and stable connectivity, with dual-band five-system positioning offering accurate navigation even in challenging outdoor conditions. What's more, the watch is compatible with an eSIM that enables standalone calls with AI-enhanced noise reduction for crystal-clear conversations, reports Birmingham Live.

The HUAWEI Watch Ultimate 2 features sophisticated health tracking via the TruSense system, monitoring up to 11 wellness indicators including pulse rate, sleep cycles and fingertip Sp02. Using battery conservation mode, users can enjoy up to 11 days of operation, whilst normal mode delivers 4.5 days of usage.

Additionally, it incorporates extra security functions such as fall detection, emergency SOS, and high altitude monitoring for those who relish a spot of adventure. As an alternative, customers could consider the Apple Watch Series 11 for £13 when spreading the cost with Sky Mobile.

Available in black, gold, grey and silver finishes, this watch offers battery life up to 24 hours, is water-resistant and swim-proof and can monitor sports, steps, distance, calories and sleep. There's also the Google Pixel Watch 4 for £349 from Argos, offering 32GB storage, Bluetooth 6 connectivity and touchscreen capability whilst providing health and fitness functions.

Technology experts and YouTubers have been assessing the HUAWEI Watch Ultimate 2, with saying: "Really premium, great materials with this smart watch. This is what really attracts me to it as I love classic mechanical watches and this resembles it.

"It is not cheap, but when comparing with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and how much that costs and factoring in the build quality, I think this watch is still an extremely great deal. I cycle a lot, I like mechanical watches, I don't want to charge my watch every day, and this smart watch is just the perfect choice."

Meanwhile, another reviewer, , said: "It tends to have phenomenal battery life. It can last up to 11 days on a single charge."

On YouTube, one individual asked: "Cool design and smartwatch, but a lot of money for a Huawei watch."

However, another person said: "The material used and the technology inside, I think it's justified."

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