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MagyarHuawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition smartwatch review - Titanium model received a facelift
With the Space Edition, Huawei is offering a special model of the Watch 4 Pro. It stands out in particular due to its different design details. However, the features of both smartwatches are identical.
We have already tested the normal Watch 4 Pro, and are now particularly excited about the new features that have since found their way onto the smartwatch via a software update.
The Watch 4 Pro Space Edition is only available in one size - 46 millimeters - one configuration and one color: dark grey. This model has an RRP of 649 euros. The Watch 4 Pro Space Edition can be paired with Android and iOS devices.
Case and features - Coated titanium on the Watch 4 Pro
The case of the Huawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition is made of aerospace-classified DLC titanium. In this case, DLC stands for a diamond-like carbon coating. This coating is applied to the case and strap and is designed to protect from scratches, which is something the Space Edition has over the normal Watch 4 Pro.
In addition to the coating and the color, the Space Edition is distinguished by a differently designed crown and bezel. The bezel is two-tone and is made of "nanocrystal ceramic", according to the manufacturer. Like the crown, the shape is reminiscent of a Laval nozzle on a drive. There is an edge between the display and the bezel, which is structured by silver markings.
The watch has a very high-quality feel, but at 109 grams it is not lightweight either. The strap and case are matte, they are made of the same material and have the same color. The surface is resistant to fingerprints. During the test period, however, we did notice minor scratches in the coating.
On the right-hand side of the case is a crown that can be turned and pressed and a button with integrated sensors. A speaker is embedded underneath the frame. There are two holes in the underside on the left-hand side. One for the microphone. The strap has a width of 22 millimeters and a standard clasp. This means there is a large selection of alternative straps.
The strap can be changed without tools. The scope of delivery includes several titanium links that can be used to adjust the bracelet to the circumference of the forearm. This can also be done without tools.
Setup and operation - Huawei Health app via detours
The Huawei Health app must be used to set up and operate the Huawei Watch 4 Pro. The current version of the software is not listed in the Google Play Store - but it is in the Apple AppStore. For use on Android devices, the app can either be downloaded as an APK or you can use Huawei's own app store, the AppGallery.
However, if the app is downloaded via APK - a QR code is on the packaging - the functions are somewhat limited. For example, the app cannot send notifications. This problem does not occur when installing via AppGallery.
Nothing has changed during setup compared to the regular Watch 4 Pro. With the software update to HarmonyOS 4.2, however, the range of functions of the Huawei Health app has been expanded. One example of this is the trends.
Like the normal Watch 4 Pro, the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition is operated via the crown, button, and touchscreen. Pressing the crown opens the app overview from the watch face. Double-tapping opens the last program used. Turning the crown scrolls through apps or zooms in and out of displays. From any menu, pressing the crown takes you back to the watch face.
Pressing the button opens a pop-up menu with three apps to choose from. By default, these are the training menu, phone app, and Health Glance. The assignment can be changed on the smartwatch. A long press of the button opens the digital assistant.
Swiping from left to right leads from the watch face to Huawei Assistant Today, an overview of the weather, sleep value, calendar, and media control. There is also access to the voice assistant.
Swiping from right to left takes you through the tiles. They are not strictly themed. Although there is an overview of daily activity, others mix the lunar cycle with the weather and quick access to maps, phone, and voice recording. The order and content of the tiles can be customized in the smartphone app.
Swiping from bottom to top opens the notification overview. Swiping from top to bottom takes you to the short menu with access to the device search, alarm clock, and various modes such as flight and energy-saving mode.
Telephony and notifications - Watch 4 Pro Space Edition with eSIM
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition has a microphone and speaker. Phone calls are possible with the smartwatch. Thanks to eSIM, the Watch 4 Pro can also be used to make calls without a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone. A special feature of the Huawei watch is that it can not only be used with a SIM card that matches the smartphone and the same number but also with a separate card and its number.
The phone app provides access to call lists, a number pad, and all contacts of the paired smartphone. Calls via the MeeTime app are only possible if the smartwatch is paired with a Huawei smartphone.
The voice quality of the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition is impressive. The smartwatch is loud enough and transmits the wearer's voice without any background noise.
The Watch 4 Pro Space Edition reliably displays notifications. The app can be used to select which programs are allowed to send notifications to the wearable. The Watch 4 Pro can also display emojis, but images are still not displayed. Unlike the current Watch Fit 3, responses are not only possible in the form of pre-formulated short answers and emojis, but also via voice input and a fully-fledged keyboard.
Typing is easy on the round display. However, typing is faster and more error-free under WearOS on the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 or the OnePlus Watch 2.
Voice assistant - Huawei continues to rely on Celica
Huawei continues to rely on its own voice assistant - Celia. Unlike the Huawei Watch Fit 3, the assistant works with any Android smartphone, not just Huawei devices. Answers are displayed on the screen and output via the speaker is also possible.
Unfortunately, voice recognition only works moderately. In most cases, a special command must be formulated for the assistant to understand the request. Often the only message that appears is that the request was not understood. The range of functions and voice quality lag behind Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Health and fitness - Watch 4 Pro with trends and calorie deficit
The Watch 4 Pro has long been able to measure various health parameters in one minute, known as "Health Glance". The smartwatch takes an ECG measurement and determines pulse and oxygen saturation. With the help of an audio recording of a cough, it should also be able to determine respiratory health.
Another special feature of the Watch 4 Pro is the measurement of arterial stiffness. To do this, the finger must be placed on the sensor in the button - as with the ECG measurement. The smartwatch then determines how flexible the arteries are.
New since our test of the Watch 4 Pro are trends and the calculation of a calorie deficit. Meals can be entered in the Health app. The software determines the calorie content. It is also possible to record meals using pictures. The software compares the food consumed or its nutritional value with the exercise completed and calculates a calorie deficit. The overview can be displayed directly on the smartwatch.
As support, the app offers various plans for interval fasting and a nutrition analysis is also available with a paid Health+ subscription. The trends provide an overview of personal development over 30 days. This is done in several areas such as steps, training minutes, sleep duration, resting heart rate, calories burned, time spent standing, blood oxygen saturation, and stress.
Activity goals - Watch 4 Pro Space Edition with clovers and circles
Huawei also relies on two displays of daily activity for the Watch 4 Pro Space. On the one hand, the app and smartwatch offer familiar activity circles. At Huawei, these represent calories burned, training minutes, and time spent standing up.
The software also provides clover leaves that fill up over the day. The daily goals can be tracked using a timeline. The program also includes sleep measurements and stress levels.
The Health app also shows the steps taken and breaks them down into running, walking, and climbing stairs. The distance covered is also shown. The movement is displayed graphically on a timeline. The data can be displayed not only for one day but also for weeks, months, or years.
Heart rate, heart rhythm and blood oxygen saturation
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition can measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. In order to better classify the measured values, we compare them with those of reference devices.
To measure the heart rate, we take the Huawei smartwatch on a bike ride together with a Polar H10 chest strap. The resting heart rate values of the two devices are identical. We measured the performance heart rate at three different times. On average, the deviation is only 0.22 percent. The result of the Watch 4 Pro only deviates from the measured value of the chest strap in one measurement.
The deviation is somewhat greater when measuring the blood oxygen saturation. A Braun pulse oximeter 1 serves as a reference device in this test. On average from three measurements, the difference is 1.35 percent. The measured values of the smartwatch are always lower than those of the reference device.
Overall, the measured values of the Watch 4 Pro are at an impressive level. The result is particularly impressive because the smartwatch is worn with a metal link strap, which slips more easily during sport than rubber straps. The normal Watch 4 Pro was similarly precise in the test.
Sleep tracking - Watch 4 Pro Space Edition records sleep sounds
Sleep tracking is just as comprehensive as with the normal Watch 4 Pro. The smartwatch recognizes sleep time and divides it into REM, light, and deep sleep. Waking phases are also recognized. The app also indicates the times for the individual phases and the proportion of total sleep.
The software evaluates total sleep and individual categories such as deep sleep continuity and breathing quality. If the smartphone remains paired overnight, the software can also record and evaluate sleep sounds.
Various soundscapes are designed to help you fall asleep. However, the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition still does not have a smart alarm clock.
Training recording - Watch 4 Pro Space Edition with running plans
There are also no changes to the training recording for the Space Edition. In the test, the smartwatch impressed us with its large display of important training parameters. Targets can also be defined for each sport, such as calories burned or kilometers completed. More functions are available for certain sports.
There are many options for jogging, for example. The Watch 4 Pro Space Edition offers a virtual pacer, interval training, metronome, section measurements, measurement of the lactate threshold, and the completion of saved routes. In addition, running plans for different performance levels are available on the smartwatch, and AI training plans can be created.
Warm-up and stretching exercises as with the Watch Fit 3 are not available on the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition. In addition, the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition does not automatically recognize workouts on the cross trainer despite automatic workout recognition being activated.
GPS and navigation - Watch 4 Pro Space Edition more accurate
The Huawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition supports all common satellite systems. Thanks to the integration, routes can also be recorded without a paired smartphone. With the Watch 4 Pro, we criticized the GNSS measurement, as radii in particular were not detected correctly.
The Space Edition performs better in this area. During a cycling tour together with a Garmin Venu 2, the recorded route matches the course of the road. Navigation is also possible with the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition. On the one hand, training sessions can be completed according to saved routes. On the other hand, Huawei also offers its own map service Petal Maps on the smartwatch.
Navigation can be started directly on the smartwatch. Completed routes can be exported as GPX, TCX, and KML files.
Display - Watch 4 Pro Space Edition dark in comparison
Huawei uses the same 1.5-inch OLED panel in the Space Edition as in the regular Watch 4 Pro. The display continues to impress with good readability and rich contrasts. It also displays content clearly. In comparison with Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Apple Watch Series 9, the lower maximum brightness is noticeable.
We measured a maximum brightness of 663 cd/m³ with the ambient light sensor activated. Without the sensor, a maximum of 444 nits is possible. This makes the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition readable in sunlight, but it cannot outshine reflections. In contrast, the Samsung and Apple devices achieve 1897 and 1619 cd/m³ respectively, and are almost three times as bright.
In our tests, we also noticed screen flickering at a frequency of 60 Hz, which is typical for OLEDs. However, the amplitude is quite flat.
| Huawei Watch 4 Pro Space Edition | Samsung Galaxy Watch6 44mm | OnePlus Watch 2 | Google Pixel Watch 2 LTE | Apple Watch Series 9 45mm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response Times | |||||
| PWM Frequency | 60 | 60 0% | 121 102% | 120 100% | 310 417% |
| Screen | 186% | -11% | 37% | 144% | |
| Brightness middle | 663 | 1897 186% | 593 -11% | 907 37% | 1619 144% |
| Black Level * | |||||
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | 93% /
93% | 46% /
46% | 69% /
69% | 281% /
281% |
* ... smaller is better
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM detected | 60 Hz Amplitude: 17.53 % |  | |
The display backlight flickers at 60 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) . The frequency of 60 Hz is very low, so the flickering may cause eyestrain and headaches after extended use. In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 17673 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured. | |||
Performance and runtime
Huawei continues to rely on a Qualcomm chip for the SiP. We are unable to find out whether this is the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 or the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1. Because no browser can be installed on the smartwatch, no benchmark measurements are possible.
The smartwatch also runs smoothly with the current HarmonyOS version 4.2. Transitions between tiles are just as smooth as scrolling and fast inputs.
Battery life - Huawei optimizes the software
The fact that Huawei has optimized the software is evident in the battery life. When all sensors are permanently activated and the always-on display is used, we achieve a runtime of around four days, including a short workout and sleep tracking. However, we did not use an eSIM.
When testing the Watch 4 Pro we only achieved a runtime of 2.5 days. Without the always-on display, the runtime is extended to almost six days with otherwise identical usage. The Watch 4 Pro Space Edition can be charged wirelessly using the Qi charging pad. The smartwatch charges from 0 to 70 percent in 35 minutes. It is fully charged in 50 minutes. This is significantly faster than the Watch 4 Pro. We used a 33-watt power supply in the test.
Pros
Cons
Verdict - Design and software updates on the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition
Huawei is taking a cautious approach to the special edition of the Watch 4 Pro. The changes to the Space Edition only affect the design. Whether the smartwatch is prettier in silver or gray is a matter of taste. The additional coating, which is designed to protect the titanium from scratches, speaks in favor of the Space Edition. What both have in common is the great workmanship and the high-quality feel of the materials. The watches feel high-quality, but that should be the case for the price.
However, the test also shows that Huawei is constantly improving the smartwatch. New health functions include the calorie deficit and the recording of trends. The range of apps is also growing; Spotify can now be operated via the smartwatch, albeit via a third-party provider.
The progress made in terms of battery life is particularly pleasing. The Watch 4 Pro Space Edition does not match the runtimes of older models. However, the runtime has improved noticeably with software updates, although the range of functions has increased at the same time.
The health readings are impressively accurate, which has not changed over time. The GNSS measurement, on the other hand, has improved and is significantly more accurate in the current Space Edition than in our test of the normal Watch 4 Pro.
With the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition, Huawei delivers a high-quality smartwatch and shows that the watches are getting even better over time thanks to software updates.
Huawei has not yet eliminated all points of criticism. It is a shame that the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition has NFC, but no payment services are supported. The Celia voice assistant is also not on par with the competition. This also applies to the maximum brightness of the display.
An alternative could be the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic. It offers a brighter display, and more app selection thanks to WearOS and blood pressure measurement, but does not match the value and battery life of the Watch 4 Pro. The OnePlus Watch 2 lasts a similar amount of time but can do a little more with WearOS and is significantly cheaper, but there is no eSIM option for it.
Price and availability
In the EU, the RRP of the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition is 649 euros ($695). The smartwatch is available from various retailers such as Amazon and Mediamarkt. Huawei also sells the Watch 4 Pro Space Edition in its own online store.
Transparency
The present review sample was made available to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or a shop for the purposes of review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review.
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