Video summary

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro - NEW SLEEP TRACKING! (+ HR and GPS Scientific Review)

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro — tested for heart rate (HR), sleep stage tracking (“True Sleep 5.0”), and GPS.

Key features mentioned

  • New sleep stage model: True Sleep 5.0 (claimed improved deep/light/REM tracking).
  • Algorithm rollout policy:
    • Older devices keep the old sleep algorithm for now.
    • Newer devices use True Sleep 5.0.
  • Sleep processing on-watch:
    • The sleep algorithm runs directly on the watch, so sleep scoring can be viewed even without Bluetooth.
    • However, syncing to the phone/app is still required.
  • Premium design / display:
    • Bigger screen than prior models; up to ~3000 nits brightness.
    • Screen size: 1.92 inches.
    • More symmetric bezels (same size on all sides).
    • Sapphire glass + titanium alloy bezels on the Pro version.
    • Adaptive refresh rate.
  • Connectivity ecosystem note:
    • Works on Android and iOS.
    • Apple Watch is described as having better iOS integration.

Testing approach (user experience / methodology)

  • HR tracking:
    • Compared against an ECG reference device across workouts:
      • Running (outdoor), indoor cycling, outdoor cycling, weightlifting.
  • Sleep tracking:
    • Compared against an EEG headband designed for sleep studies over 4–5 nights.
  • GPS tracking:
    • Checked by exporting and visually reviewing overlap of repeat routes (Strava tracks).
  • Includes an on-screen 1–100 scoring system for: 1) HR during cardio, 2) sleep stage performance, 3) GPS performance.

Reported results & unique points (with scores)

1) Heart rate tracking (Pros / Cons)

Pros

  • Indoor cycling: essentially perfect alignment
    • Correlation = 1.00
    • Lines overlapped closely; sessions looked near-identical to the reference.
  • Outdoor running: very strong
    • Correlation = 0.99
    • Minor deviations mainly at lower heart-rate ranges.
  • Overall cardio HR performance:
    • Average correlation across three cardio exercises = 0.97
    • Score = 97/100 (“great”)
  • Compared to other devices (2025+ group):
    • Huawei Fit 5 Pro is described as top-tier for cardio HR, similar to other Huawei models.

Cons

  • Outdoor cycling: weaker than running
    • Correlation = 0.92 (still “okay” but not great)
    • Observed “horizontal line” artifacts where HR appears to stop/detect stable HR for periods.
    • Sometimes detects heart rate too low.
  • Weightlifting: not great (and framed as hard for any watch)
    • Single session; peaks not fully detected.
    • Reviewer generally doesn’t recommend watches for weightlifting HR.

Comparison mentioned

  • Similar performance among Huawei devices for indoor cycling:
    • Fit 4 Pro, Fit 4, GT Runner, etc.
  • Some competitors may be better:
    • Apple Watches and Pixel Watch could be slightly better in places.
    • Huawei is still considered “good enough.”

2) Sleep stage tracking (“True Sleep 5.0”) (Pros / Cons)

Pros

  • Reviewer sees improvement vs Huawei’s older sleep algorithm, especially for:
    • Deep sleep: ~75% agreement
    • Light sleep: ~75% agreement
  • Overall sleep-stage score (deep/light/REM sensitivity combined):
    • Score = 60.1/100 (“okay”, middle category)
  • Huawei devices improved vs prior Huawei models using the old algorithm.
  • Sleep algorithm runs directly on the watch, reducing dependence on phone connection for viewing scores.

Cons (main issue)

  • REM sleep tracking is poor
    • ~30% agreement with EEG reference (major weakness)
    • Example night behavior: watch over-detected REM early and missed REM later
    • Because REM is weak, overall sleep scoring drops to “okay” (60.1/100).

Comparison / positioning

  • Best sleep-stage performers named (overall reviewer view):
    • Apple Watch (iOS), Pixel Watch (Android), Fitbit, Oura Ring, Whoop Strap
    • Plus Eight Sleep Pod (not a wearable tracker; sleep environment improvement).
  • Conclusion: Huawei is “on the right track” but not yet at the top due to REM issues.
  • Reviewer explicitly suggests: if you want really good sleep staging, consider other brands.

Algorithm rollout controversy (unique point)

  • Huawei keeps the old algorithm on previously released devices and uses True Sleep 5.0 mainly on newly released ones.
  • Reviewer understands the logic (comparability issues after updates), but personally prefers user control over algorithm changes.
  • Mentions Aura Ring had a similar experience: more accurate algorithms produced “less deep sleep” and upset users.

3) GPS tracking (Pros / Cons)

Pros

  • Cycling outside: generally close/overlapping, but not perfect (limited to two tracks).
  • Running: described as pretty good
    • Works well even near areas that can challenge GPS (reviewer mentions a big wall scenario).
  • Subjective GPS score range:
    • 75–80, categorized as “good.”

Cons / limitations

  • Cycling: only two Strava tracks exported, so evidence is limited.
  • Some deviations observed (a couple sections where tracks spread more).

Comparison mentioned

  • Huawei isn’t “up there with the best GPS devices like Garmin,” but is still “very good” for this reviewer’s use cases.

Overall verdict (concise recommendation)

  • Best for: sports tracking—especially heart rate during cardio and solid GPS.
  • Not best for: high-quality sleep stage tracking, mainly due to weak REM detection despite improved deep/light tracking.
  • Recommendation:
    • Choose Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro if you prioritize exercise/HR + decent GPS and want a premium-looking smartwatch.
    • If sleep stage accuracy (especially REM) is your priority, the reviewer suggests looking at Apple Watch / Pixel / Fitbit / Oura / Whoop, etc.

Unique points mentioned about product tradeoffs

  1. Premium build (sapphire glass, titanium bezels), bright display, symmetric bezels.
  2. True Sleep 5.0 improves deep/light sleep vs older Huawei, but REM remains inaccurate.
  3. Algorithm update policy avoids breaking historical comparability, but is somewhat controversial.
  4. Heart rate is excellent for indoor cycling and running; weaker for outdoor cycling with artifacts.
  5. GPS is good (subjective 75–80), not as strong as Garmin’s best, but solid.

End: speakers / multiple-view contributors

  • Single main speaker/reviewer provides all testing, scoring, comparisons, and conclusions.
  • No other speakers are described in the subtitles.

Original video