Garmin and Huawei have both stepped up their game, recently unveiling their midrange smartwatches: the Vivoactive 5 and the Watch GT 4 series, respectively.
At first glance, their price tags might suggest they’re in direct competition, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find that these are two very distinct offerings.
They differ not only in their operating systems but also in a myriad of features that might sway your buying decision. If you’re on the fence between these two, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll delve deep into the unique offerings of both watches, helping you make an informed choice.
So let’s Dive in and compare Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Huawei Watch GT 4.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Huawei Watch GT 4: Pricing
Garmin Vivoactive 5: This smartwatch comes with a suggested retail price of $300.
While it’s not the most budget-friendly option on the market, it offers excellent value for its features, making it a competitive choice in its price range.
Huawei Watch GT 4: The Huawei Watch GT 4 is available in two dial sizes, 41mm and 46mm, with varying strap options.
The prices range from EUR 229 to EUR 349 for the 41mm variant and from EUR 229 to EUR 299 for the 46mm version. It offers a compelling balance between price and features.
Where to buy?
Huawei Watch GT 4:
- View on Amazon
- GT 4 – 46mm: View on Aliexpress
- GT 4 – 41mm: View on Aliexpress
Garmin Vivoactive 5:
- View on Amazon
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Huawei Watch GT 4: Specs Comparison
| Category | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Huawei Watch GT 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | 42.2 mm Silicone Starp | 46mm octagonal or 41mm pendant design with various strap options |
| Health Features | heart rate, Spo2, Sleep tracking, and more. | Menstrual Cycle Management 3.0, Sleep Breathing Awareness, TruSeen 5.5+ |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | Up to 50 meters |
| Price | $299.99 | Starting at £229 (41mm) and £249 (46mm) |
| Display | 1.2″ AMOLED | 1.43-inch or 1.32-inch AMOLED screen (466×466 pixels) |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 days | Up to 14 days (46mm), 7 days (41mm) |
| Compatibility | Android and iOS | Android and iOS |
| Additional Features | Dual-band GNSS | Dual-band GNSS, Activity Rings 2.0, TruSleep 3.0, Stay Fit |
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Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Huawei Watch GT 4: In-Depth Review
Design & Display
Garmin Vivoactive 5: The Vivoactive 5 boasts a sleek and modern design, featuring a lightweight aluminum bezel and a comfortable silicone band.
It offers multiple color options, allowing users to select a style that suits their preferences.
The watch’s dimensions are 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm, fitting wrists with a 125-190 mm circumference.
Its 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a 390 x 390-pixel resolution provides vibrant and sharp visuals, and it even offers an optional Always-On mode for quick data glances.
Huawei Watch GT 4: Huawei’s offering features a stainless-steel case and a rotating crown with a side button, exuding a premium feel.
The watch comes in 41mm and 46mm dial sizes, both equipped with AMOLED color displays boasting a resolution of 466 × 466 pixels.
The design is elegant and stylish, appealing to fashion-conscious users.
Health & Activity Tracking
Garmin Vivoactive 5: The Vivoactive 5 is more than just a smartwatch; it’s a comprehensive fitness and wellness companion.
It offers over 30 preloaded GPS and indoor sports applications, covering a wide range of activities.
Garmin Connect allows users to create personalized workouts from a library of more than 1,600 exercises.
The watch offers continuous tracking of crucial health metrics, including heart rate, respiration rate, pulse oximetry, and stress levels.
It also features dedicated functions for women, including menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking, as well as sleep tracking with detailed insights and recommendations.
Huawei Watch GT 4: Huawei’s smartwatch also excels in health and fitness tracking.
It features various sensors, including Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Optical heart rate sensor, Barometer, and Temperature sensor.
It includes Huawei’s TruSeen 5.5+ heart rate sensor and the Huawei TruSleep 3.0 tracker for comprehensive sleep monitoring. The watch even offers a smart menstrual cycle calendar.
Both smartwatches prioritize health tracking, making them valuable tools for fitness enthusiasts.
OS & Apps Compatibility
Garmin Vivoactive 5: The Vivoactive 5 operates on Garmin’s own operating system and provides access to the Connect IQ platform.
It supports Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring seamless integration with various devices and services.
It is compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones, offering a wide range of options for users.
Huawei Watch GT 4: Huawei’s smartwatch operates on its proprietary Harmony OS, providing a smooth and efficient user experience.
It offers Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC connectivity and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
While it may have a more limited app ecosystem compared to some other smartwatches, it focuses on essential functions, ensuring reliable performance.
Smart Features
Garmin Vivoactive 5: The Vivoactive 5 is packed with smart features to cater to various needs.
It offers Garmin Pay for convenient payments, Wheelchair Mode for specialized tracking, and Incident Detection for safety.
Users can receive smart notifications directly on their wrists, and Android users can even respond to texts and view photos on the watch screen.
The watch also provides music control and storage, making it an excellent companion for workouts.
Huawei Watch GT 4: Huawei’s offering supports Bluetooth calling with an in-built microphone and speaker.
It offers Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC connectivity. While it may not have as extensive a feature set as the Vivoactive 5, it covers essential functions and delivers them effectively.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 5: Battery life is often a concern with smartwatches, but the Vivoactive 5 shines in this department.
In smartwatch mode, it can last up to 11 days on a single charge, and even with the display always on, it can manage up to 5 days.
Battery Saver Smartwatch mode extends this to an impressive 21 days.
For GPS activities, it offers up to 21 hours of battery life, depending on the mode, ensuring users can wear it throughout the day and night without frequent recharging.
Huawei Watch GT 4: Huawei claims the Watch GT 4 offers up to two weeks of battery life, which is impressive.
In power-saving mode, it can last up to 14 days, and even with the always-on display enabled, it can deliver up to four days of use.
With regular usage and the always-on display turned off, users can expect up to eight days of battery life.
This extended battery life ensures users can rely on the watch for extended periods.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Huawei Watch GT 4: Which Should You Buy?
Buy Garmin Vivoactive 5 if:
- You value a sleek and modern design with a lightweight aluminum bezel.
- Comprehensive fitness and wellness tracking is essential for you, covering a vast range of activities and health metrics.
- You prefer a watch with dedicated functions for women’s health.
- The Connect IQ platform and compatibility with both iPhone and Android are important to you.
- Long battery life is crucial, with up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 21 hours with GPS activities.
- You appreciate the convenience of Garmin Pay and specialized features like Wheelchair Mode and Incident Detection.
Buy Huawei Watch GT 4 if:
- A premium feel with a stainless-steel case and rotating crown is more your style.
- You’re looking for a watch available in two different dial sizes.
- Comprehensive health tracking with sensors like Huawei’s TruSeen 5.5+ heart rate sensor and Huawei TruSleep 3.0 tracker is a priority.
- You prefer a watch with a smart menstrual cycle calendar.
- LiteOS and compatibility with both Android and iOS are essential for you.
- You need a long battery life, with up to two weeks on a single charge.
- Bluetooth calling with an in-built microphone and speaker is a feature you’d use frequently.
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