REVIEW – I am a watch fanatic, and for many years I avoided any device other than the traditional analog automatic watch. It took quite some time for me to try a digital smartwatch, and when I did, I opted for a relatively expensive and higher end brand. Even then, I used it for time, and messaging, and other such functions, but completely disregarded the fitness tracking options. However, when I was offered the opportunity to review the Huawei Band 3 Pro, curiosity got the better of me, and I accepted. Let’s see how it turned out.
What is it?
The Huawei Band 3 Pro is an all-inclusive activity tracker that detects and monitors your exercises and activities and provides metrics for all activities. It can monitor your health including your heart rate and quality of sleep and when paired with your smartphone it provides smartphone notifications. It also tells time as a conventional digital watch.
What’s in the box
1 x Charging Cradle
1 x Micro USB Cable
1 x User Guide
1 x Warranty Card
Design and features
Specifications:
Display Size: 0.43 x 0.85″ / 10.8 x 21.6 mm
Display Type: OLED
Screen Resolution: 120 x 240
Pixel Density: 283 ppi
Touchscreen: Yes
Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2
Global Positioning: GPS
CPU: Apollo 3
RAM: 384 KB
Sensors: Optical Heart Rate
OS Compatibility: Android 4.4 or Later, iOS 8.0 or Later
Memory: 16 MB
Rechargeable Battery Capacity: 100 mAh
Charging Time: 1 to 2 Hours
Water Resistance Depth: 5 ATM (Pressure Equivalent to 164.04′ / 50 m)
Operating Temperature: 14 to 113°F / -10 to 45°C
This device is narrow and sleek and the one I have has a blue silicone band. The colors on the device screen are brilliant and when you touch the screen you see the time, the date, and the values for the metrics that you are monitoring.
On the underneath of the device there are the sensors that make contact with your hand and manage the monitoring, and below them are the two contacts that connect to the charging base.
Below is the charging base with the contact pins that connect to the device.
On the side of the charging base is the micro USB port that is used to connect to power for charging.
Performance
Once I charged the Huawei, and downloaded the app, setting it up and connecting to the app was easy. Once set up, I was able to select the specific activity like walking or running and if it was indoor or outdoor. For exercising you go through the screens on the watch and select the type of activity and the duration and the device will monitor and provide metrics for heart rate and cycles and calories burned. For example, if swimming is selected it indicates that it will even count the laps. I did not use it for swimming, but I did for walking and running and it worked well and provided the relevant information. It also provides historical data for your exercises so that you can measure your progress over time. There are other metrics depending on your use of the device. Of course, the device sends push notifications and alerts also depending on your choices. When I used it constantly, the charge lasted approximately 3 1/2 to 4 days before I needed to recharge. You can click here to read more about the Huawei Band 3 Pro via the FAQS or to download the manual.
The following are some screenshots from the app:
What I like
- It provides multiple choices for display faces
- Once you lift your hand the face lights up to reveal info
- The sleep tracker seems to be really accurate
- Suggestions for a better sleep experience
What can be improved
- Temperature readings are in Celsius only
- Find your phone feature does not work most times
- The time setting did not reset as quickly as it should
Final thoughts
The Huawei Band 3 Pro is very easy to set up and operate. It does a very good job as a tracker for steps and calories burned, for sleep measurement and suggestions for better sleep, and the touchscreen is easy to manipulate. I did have a slight reaction to the watch band on my skin, but that is likely specific to me and my body chemistry. In my opinion, it is a good device but not what I would call an outstanding device. It is well priced and does many of the important functions quite well. I think that with a minimal software upgrade, it would be a very good purchase.
Price: $69.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Huawei.
Filed in categories: Reviews
Tagged: Health and fitness, Watches and Clocks
Huawei Band 3 Pro fitness tracker watch review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 4, 2019 at 9:00 am.
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