Yes, you heard right! In this article, I’m going to compare the Huawei Band 8 and the Apple Watch Series 9 to see how these different wearables stack up.
Before we dive in, it’s interesting to note that the Huawei Band 8 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, while the Apple Watch Series 9 is exclusively for iOS users.
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Also, there’s a huge price difference between the two, which raises the question: should you invest in an Apple Watch or would you do just fine with the basic Huawei Band 8? To find this answer, let’s compare them and see what the differences are.
Huawei Band 8 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Price & Availability
As we’ve already touched on, there’s a pretty significant price gap between these two gadgets.
Both wearables made their debut last year, with the Huawei Band 8 launching in April 2023, and the Apple Watch Series 9 hitting the shelves in September 2023.
When it comes to affordability, the Huawei Band 8 is a real bargain, priced somewhere between $50 to $90, though this can vary depending on where you are.
In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 9 is more of a luxury pick. The basic model, which comes with GPS, will set you back about $400, and if you opt for the GPS + Cellular version, you’re looking at around $500.
Clearly, the Apple Watch Series 9 positions itself as a high-end choice in the world of smartwatches.
Huawei Band 8 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Specs Comparison
| Feature | Huawei Band 8 | Apple Watch Series 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | TPU material, Silicone straps | Aluminium, Stainless steel, Titanium options; Ion-X glass (Aluminium), Sapphire crystal (Stainless Steel), Various straps |
| Shape | Rectangular | Square |
| Dimension | 44.35 x 26 x 8.99 mm | 41 x 35 x 10.7mm and 45 x 38 x 10.7mm |
| Physical Buttons | 1 | 1 + Digital Crown |
| Display Type | AMOLED coloured 2.5D display | Always-On Retina, LTPO OLED (2000 nits active, 500 nits wrist down) |
| Resolution | 194 x 368 pixels | 41mm: 352 x 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 x 484 pixels |
| Screen Size | 1.47 inch | 41mm: 1.69 inches; 45mm: 1.9 inches |
| Weight | 14 grams (without strap) | 41mm: 32.90g (A), 42.3g (S), 37.0g (T); 45mm: 38.8g (A), 51.5g (S), 45.1g (T) (without strap) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate | Optical HR, SpO2, ECG, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Temperature, Ambient light |
| Water-Resistance | 5 ATM | WR50 (50 metres), IP6X dust certification |
| GPS | Connected GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS |
| Built-in Speaker | No | Yes |
| Microphone | No | Yes |
| NFC | China only | Yes |
| Music Storage | No | Yes |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz, BT5.0, BLE | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz), UMTS, LTE (optional) |
| Cellular Connectivity | No | Optional |
| Battery Type | 180mAh Li-po | 41mm: 282 mAh; 45mm: 308mAh (Li-po) |
| Battery Life | 14 days with normal use, 9 days with heavy use | 18 hours (standard), 36 hours (low power mode) |
| Operating System | HarmonyOS 2 | WatchOS 10 |
| Colors | Emerald Green, Magic Night Black, Cherry Pink, Vibrant Orange | Aluminium: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Pink, Product Red; Stainless Steel: Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Price | $50-$90 (depends on region) | starting form $400 |
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Huawei Band 8 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Design & Display
When it comes to design and display, the Huawei Band 8 and the Apple Watch Series 9 each have their own unique flair. Yes, they both rock a square-ish look, but that’s where the similarity ends. The Huawei Band 8 goes for a sleek and straightforward rectangular shape, made with skin-friendly TPU material – perfect for those who love a modern, minimalist vibe.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 9 is all about sophistication. You get to choose from aluminium, stainless steel, or titanium cases, with the added luxury of Ion-X glass for the aluminium models or sapphire crystal for the stainless steel ones.
Size-wise, the Huawei Band 8 sticks to one compact size of 44.35 x 26 x 8.99 mm, ideal for those who don’t want their wearable to be too noticeable. Apple, meanwhile, gives you more options with the Series 9. You can pick from two sizes – a nifty 41 x 35 x 10.7 mm or a slightly larger 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm. This means you can find just the right fit for your wrist.
Both devices keep things simple with their buttons. The Huawei Band 8 has a single button, keeping it neat and tidy. The Apple Watch Series 9 spices things up a bit with a button and its signature digital crown.
Now, let’s talk screens. The Huawei Band 8 sports a 1.47-inch AMOLED colored 2.5D display. It’s a bit smaller but still packs a punch in terms of color and clarity. Apple steps it up with the Series 9, offering an Always-On Retina display with Force Touch and an LTPO OLED screen that brightens up to 2000 nits. This means you get crystal clear visibility, even in the sunniest of spots.
Color options? Huawei keeps it fun and fresh with emerald green, magic night black, cherry pink, and vibrant orange – lots of choices to match your style. Apple, particularly with its aluminium Series 9, offers an even broader color spectrum, letting you personalize to your heart’s content.
Finally, both are built to brave the elements. The Apple Watch Series 9 is a tough cookie with its WR50 water resistance and IP6X dust protection, ready for anything from pool laps to dusty hikes. The Huawei Band 8, while sporting a respectable 5 ATM water resistance, is more suited for everyday splashes and dips.
Huawei Band 8 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Health & Fitness Tracking
When it comes to health and fitness tracking, it’s pretty clear that the Apple Watch Series 9 takes the lead. This gadget is like a mini health lab on your wrist. It’s packed with features like an optical heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, and even an ECG (electrical heart sensor). This means it can keep an eye on your heart rhythms and even spot irregular ones – pretty handy for those focused on heart health. Plus, the Series 9’s temperature sensor is a neat addition, great for tracking fertility or catching a fever early.
But don’t count the Huawei Band 8 out just yet. It’s like your personal fitness coach, supporting over 100 sports modes – from running and cycling to swimming. It’s got this cool Huawei TruSleep 3.0 feature that not only tracks your sleep but also gives tips to snooze better. And with the Huawei TruSeen 5.0 sensor, it keeps a close watch on your heart rate and blood oxygen levels, promising sharper data than ever. The Band 8 also steps up with features like women’s health management and all-day stress monitoring, showing it’s serious about taking care of you in more ways than one.
Let’s talk GPS. The Apple Watch Series 9 is like a global explorer – it connects to GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS, making sure you’re never lost, no matter where you roam. The Huawei Band 8, on the other hand, needs to borrow your smartphone’s GPS to keep track of where you are. It’s more about connected convenience than standalone tracking.
Huawei Band 8 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Other Features
Now, let’s talk about the extra bells and whistles these devices offer. Both the Huawei Band 8 and the Apple Watch Series 9 have their own set of cool smartwatch features, but the Series 9 really brings a lot to the table. It’s like having a mini iPhone on your wrist. You can ask Siri for help, keep tabs on your health, and even sync up with other Apple gadgets. Plus, there’s a whole world of apps you can add to this watch, making it super versatile. Another big perk is its cellular connectivity. Even if you leave your phone at home, your watch keeps you in the loop.
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The Huawei Band 8 might not have its own voice assistant, but it’s still pretty nifty. It lets you know when you’ve got messages or calls, can control your phone’s camera remotely (hello, group selfies!), and even manage your music playback. So, while it’s a bit more phone-dependent, it’s still a handy sidekick for your day-to-day activities.
Huawei Band 8 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Battery Life
Let’s talk battery life, and here’s where the Huawei Band 8 really shines. Despite having a modest 180mAh Li-po battery, this little trooper can keep going for up to 14 days on a single charge with normal use, and even with heavy use, you’re looking at a solid 9 days. That’s pretty impressive!
On the flip side, the Apple Watch Series 9, with its fancy S9 SIP chip, offers about 18 hours of battery life. But don’t worry, it’s got a trick up its sleeve with a low power mode that can stretch it to 36 hours. This makes it a dependable choice for everyday wear, finding a sweet spot between performance and power-saving.
So, while the Series 9 is great for a day packed with activities, the Huawei Band 8 is the marathon runner here. If you’re more into a fitness tracker that you don’t have to charge every night, the Band 8 might just be your match.
Huawei Band 8 vs Apple Watch Series 9: Final Verdict
As you can see, both devices have quite a lot setting them apart. The main advantages of the Huawei Band 8 are its price and compatibility with Android devices.
So, for Android users, the Apple Watch is off the table. But if you’re already part of the Apple ecosystem, there’s hardly any other watch that can easily outshine the Apple Watch Series 9. It’s like a seamless extension of your iPhone, blending in perfectly with all your other Apple devices.
On the other hand, the Huawei Band 8 offers great value, especially for those who need a reliable, long-lasting wearable that works well with both Android and iOS. It’s ideal for fitness enthusiasts who are looking for basic functionality without breaking the bank.
So, depending on your needs, budget, and the type of phone you use, you should now have a clearer idea of which watch is the right fit for you.
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