HONOR WATCH GS PRO REVIEW: AN INDESTRUCTIBLE SMARTWATCH
Honor has launched headlong into the world of smartwatches, one of the fastest growing sectors among the technology markets. After the review of the Magic Watch 2 let's move on today to tell the new Watch GS Pro , a smartphone with a very different setting and look.
If the Magic Watch 2 aimed at a male and female audience,
thanks to the two variants of different sizes and a unisex design, with the GS
Pro we are facing a product aimed mainly at the male audience, thanks to
decidedly rugged and sporty lines , as well as that generous in size. The end
result is a rock solid smartwatch, with a long battery life and usable on all
smartphones.
Aggressive design
The neutral lines of the Magic Watch 2 are just a distant
memory, the GS Pro was created to be used even in difficult conditions. Case
and strap immediately convey a clear sensation of solidity, with a decidedly
muscular line that is very similar to the classic sports chronographs.
Resistance is one of the strong points of the product, which can count on 14
military certifications MIL-STD-810G . In fact, it can withstand temperatures
up to 70 degrees or up to -40, as well as water (up to 5 ATM) and sand. There
is even a certification of resistance to fluid contaminants. In short, the
resistance of this smartwatch transpires from the first time you wear it. The
dimensions are important, as is the weight of 45.5 grams. During the test we
did not treat it well, not being used to such a large smartwatch there was no
lack of hits, but the body always held up without ever even getting scratched.
The case is made of polycarbonate but with a particular
texture, which is also echoed by the rubber strap. A very eye-catching metal
ring surrounds the display, to emphasize even more the sporty soul of the
smartwatch, while on the right there are two physical buttons, which together
with the touch are used to manage the watch.
On the back, in contact with the skin, you can see the
heartbeat sensor and the connector for charging, which takes place via a
charger supplied in the package ( about 2 hours for a full charge ). On the
body there is also a small speaker for calls, practically invisible.
Really complete technical features
Watch GS Pro is a modern smartwatch with everything you
could want from such a device. The screen is 1.39-inch AMOLED type, with a
resolution of 454x454 and a definition of 326 PPI, equipped with a touch screen
and customizable dials. At the base we find the Kirin A1 processor , the same
seen in the latest smartwatches from Huawei and Honor, along with 4 GB of
internal memory for storing music files. The 700 mAh battery promises up to 25
days of autonomy, but it all depends on the settings used, for example whether
or not the Always On Display is used, or the frequency with which you train, a
time when all the sensors work to the best of their ability.
In our case we managed to do thirteen days without having to
recharge,an autonomy that still remains first in the class , especially if you
are used to Apple Watch, as in our case. Watch GS Pro is therefore the perfect
smartwatch for those who do not want to charge their watch every day, under
this front it is really difficult to find better.
Continuing with the specifications we find the Bluetooth 5.1
and full compatibility with the GPS and GLONASS standards. The inclusion of
Route Back mode is interesting , which can be useful when venturing into
unexplored areas. In fact, the smartwatch keeps track of the path taken and is
able to show it directly on the screen to facilitate retracing one's steps.
Other sensors available include heart rate and SpO2
monitoring sensors. We tested the heartbeat detection of the GS Pro comparing
it to that of the Apple Watch 5 during a training session, the difference
between the two was minimal, of about 2-3 beats, confirming the excellent
quality achieved by Honor in this area. .
Complete software
The software experience designed by Honor is very
all-encompassing, all the functions that can be found today in a smartwatch are
in fact available. On the one hand we find LiteOS, installed on the smartwatch,
on the other hand it is the Huawei Health application that manages the
synchronization with the smartphone, available for both iOS and Android. Let's
start from the latter, which compared to our test of the Magic Watch 2 has
solved all the problems we had encountered. In the past, it was complicated to
pair with phones from brands other than Huawei and Honor, but now everything is
back to normal. The test was done with a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, once Huawei
Health was downloaded, the two devices started talking immediately .
From the application you can see the daily distance
traveled, such as calorie consumption, workouts, a detailed heart rate chart
and much more.
In fact, we find monitoring of sleep, stress level and SpO2,
as well as advice on exercises to do to keep fit. The application is really
complete and manages to provide a glimpse of one's health and training.
Turning instead to LiteOS, the first thing that needs to be
clear is that this operating system comes with a series of predefined
applications that can not be expanded , except through Honor's software
updates. There is no application store but those present already cover all the
main functions that are expected from a smartwatch.
From the main menu it is possible to access the training
screen, in which there are 15 disciplines treated to perfection plus another 85
additional activities, which cover a huge number of different sports. Also from
the main menu you can access the monitoring of cardiac activity, the SpO2
reader, the analysis of sleep and stress, the contacts for making calls and the
weather, and there is no shortage of barometer and compass.
The offer is very complete and meets the needs of most
people. An aspect that still needs to be improved is the smoothness of this
operating system, which in the transitions between the different screens shows
slowdowns and lag.