Honor Watch 5 – The Affordable Alternative to the Apple Watch
Here we are once more with Honor aiming to dethrone Apple. They’ve unveiled the Magic V3 in Berlin (a foldable phone that most people still aren’t interested in), but what truly grabbed my attention is the Honor Watch 5.
Honestly, it seems like someone at Honor glanced at the Apple Watch, thought “Nope, we’ll just mimic that,” enhanced the battery life, and called it complete. But you know what? That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’re looking for something that outlasts the latest TikTok craze.
Appearance & Construction
The Honor Watch 5 is featherlight at just 35g, even less than a chicken breast. With a thickness of 11mm, it won’t cause any discomfort if you wear it throughout the day. It features a squared design with rounded edges similar to the Apple Watch, which might leave Apple enthusiasts misty-eyed into their cappuccinos.
The highlight is a 1.85-inch AMOLED display that’s colorful, bright, and boasts a resolution of 450 x 390 pixels at 322 PPI. Quite impressive. You also get a physical crown on the side, but let’s be honest, you’ll likely be tapping the touchscreen 99% of the time.
Software – Not Based on Wear OS
Here’s the catch – it doesn’t operate on Google’s Wear OS. Nope, Honor opted for their own less-than-stellar software. Before you start complaining, it might actually benefit the battery life. However, it does mean no third-party apps. If you enjoy fiddling with Spotify from your wrist, you won’t be able to do that.
Battery Duration – 15 Days? Yeah, Right
The major claim here is a supposed 15-day battery life, powered by a 480mAh Silicon-carbon battery. Sure thing, Honor. We’ve heard it before. They boasted the Watch 4 would last 14 days, and from my experience, it barely made it past 6 days with typical use. So take that 15-day claim with a hefty dose of skepticism.
They’re also touting their ‘Turbo X Smart Power Management’ system, which sounds like something you’d encounter on a shady used car lot. Hopefully, it works to extract some extra hours – but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Fitness & Wellness Features – The Usual Offerings
Of course, it’s loaded with health features – just like any other smartwatch. Heart-rate monitoring, SpO2 (blood oxygen measurement, for those who don’t know) – it has it all. If you thrive on tracking every step, inhalation, and release, you’ll be quite pleased.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s built-in GPS, and Honor’s hyping up their new AccuTrack technology, which they claim will provide more precise tracking. I’ll put that to the test next time I’m out with my Jack Russell.
Colors & Cost
The Honor Watch 5 is available in three shades: Black, Gold, and Green. Nothing too outrageous – they’re clearly being cautious. Regarding the price, they haven’t revealed anything yet, but if it’s anything like the Watch 4, expect it to be around £129.99. Not too shabby for a watch that aims to compete with the big names while maintaining an affordable price tag.
Is the Honor Watch 5 Worth Considering?
Look, if you’re after a budget-friendly replica of the Apple Watch without the hefty price tag, then the Honor Watch 5 could be worth a shot. It appears decent, includes standard health-tracking features, and if their battery life claims hold true, it could be perfect for anyone who dislikes recharging their watch nightly.
But don’t anticipate miracles – we’ve been down this road before with Honor’s overly ambitious promises. We’ll see how it performs once it’s available in stores.
Summary – “It’s Like the Apple Watch, But With Less Apple”
The Honor Watch 5 is your economical option if you’re willing to forgo apps and deal with an iffy battery life. It’s lightweight, stylish, and will cost significantly less than an Apple Watch. But let’s not deceive ourselves – this is the imitation designer handbag of smartwatches. Good enough, but nobody’s being fooled.
