Huawei makes very good smartwatches. It's taken a while for us to be able to say that, but since Huawei decided to swap Wear OS for its own in-house software, it's become a serious contender.
The Huawei Watch 3 and Huawei Watch GT 3 along with the Huawei Watch GT Runner, currently make up the members of its full smartwatch family.
Full reviews: Huawei Watch 3 review | Huawei Watch GT 3 review
It's perfectly understandable to be wondering which of these two smartwatches actually deserves a place on your wrist. Especially as Huawei decided to give them similar names.
We've spent plenty of time with both watches, so we've broken down the key differences and similarities to help you decide whether you go Huawei Watch GT 3 or Huawei Watch 3.
Pricing and latest deals
How much does the Huawei Watch GT 3 and the Huawei Watch 3 cost?
We'll start by saying that due to the ongoing trade issues Huawei faces in the US, it's still a tough one to get Stateside. However, we've found excellent availability on both of these watches.
While the Huawei Watch 3 started with a larger price tag, you can find great deals on both of these devices.
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Design differences
Huawei Watch GT 3
Both of these Huawei Watches aim to offer classy, high grade looks and we'd say they do on the whole achieve that. The GT 3 definitely feels like more of a mix of sporty and traditional watch looks, while the Watch 3 definitely aspires to offer that classier design.
With the GT 3, you're getting the option of 46mm and 42mm case options with stainless steel up front and plastic in the case rear. There's your pick of fluoroelastomer, leather or a steel straps with different colors offered across the two case sizes.
Controls-wise, you've got a physical button and a watch crown with either a 1.43-inch, 466x466 resolution AMOLED touchscreen display or a 1.39-inch AMOLED, which is packed onto the 42mm GT 3.
Huawei Watch 3
Flipping over to the Huawei Watch 3 and you're getting just the 46mm case size option, but that's made from stainless steel and a ceramic. You're also getting three different versions of the Watch 3, with the Elegant version offering a stitched leather strap, a Classic model with a silicone band and an Elite model with a metal link bracelet
Huawei also offers a Watch 3 Pro, which gets you a lighter titanium case as well.
It matches the 46mm GT 3 in terms of screen quality and physical buttons, though that watch crown definitely adopts a more elegant look.
Both watches offer the same 5ATM waterproof rating, which means you can keep them on in the shower and take them swimming in pool and open water.
- Read our full Huawei Watch GT3 Pro review
If you want higher grade design materials and a much nicer looking watch, then it's the Huawei Watch 3 you want. The GT3 is by no means shabby in appearance and if you prefer something that can do a better job living in the gym and looking good in a meeting, then it certainly delivers on that front.
They both have great screens, similar controls and slick-running software and you can switch out those straps if you want to mix up that look.
Smartwatch features
Huawei Watch GT 3
Paying extra for the Huawei Watch 3 does get you a more complete smartwatch than the GT 3, but outside of on key difference, they're pretty evenly matched.
Both run on Huawei's Harmony OS operating system and can be paired with Android phones and iPhones. Pairing them with Android phones get you access to all features. The built-in music player for instance is only available to Android users.
With HarmonyOS, you're getting all the new UI flourishes and you're getting access to Huawei's AppGallery app store. If you're looking for big name apps here, sadly that's not the case here. There's support for third party apps, there just isn't a lot of them here.
Huawei Watch 3
Across the watches, you're getting notification support, weather forecasts, a nice array of analog and digital watch faces, and Huawei's Celia smart assistant to use to check weather forecasts or set alarms.
The key difference here is that the Huawei Watch 3 supports LTE via an eSIM, which you don't get on the GT 3. We didn't test it out in our time, but if you want that extra connectivity support, the pricier Watch 3 is the one you want.
Health and fitness features
Huawei Watch GT 3
If you care about tracking your health and fitness, the good news is that Huawei does a solid job of offering the same experience across these watches on those fronts.
With the Huawei Watch GT3 and the Watch 3, you're getting features like continuous heart rate monitoring from Huawei's latest 5.0 TruSeen sensor, which also delivers blood oxygen monitoring. There's also a skin temperature sensor to keep track of temperature highs and lows.
There's dual-band, five-system GNSS support, which means you have outdoor tracking that can grab signals from multiple satellite systems including GPS, to improve tracking accuracy. You're getting 100 sports modes including the likes of open water swimming and there's a basic route back navigation mode on board too.
Huawei Watch 3
Huawei also offers its new running-focused AI coach and advanced running metrics, which are also at the heart of its Watch GT Runner watch.
Both can count steps and track sleep and supports Huawei's new Healthy Living clover that will remind you to drink more water and smile more during the day.
The most noticeable key difference between the two is that the Watch 3 additionally includes fall detection and SOS emergency modes, which are not available on the GT 3.
Ultimately though, the experience of tracking your health and fitness on these watches is largely the same. We'd say the performance was similar too.
The GT 3 has a more exercise-friendly design than the Watch 3, so it feels like the better fit for getting all sweaty with.
Battery life
Huawei Watch 3
Battery life is a key difference between the two Huawei watches, and if you want more of it, the GT 3 is the one you want.
The Huawei Watch 3 promises 2-3 days in what Huawei calls 'normal' mode. That drops to 1.5 days if it's paired with an iPhone.
If you have the display set to always-on, we also found it lasted 2 days in our testing. There is an ultra-long battery, which sees battery jump up to 14 days, but you are restricted access to some apps and features like Huawei's Celia smart assistant.
The GT 3 battery performance depends on what size watch you go for. The 46mm Watch GT3 can go for 14 days in normal mode and 8 days in heavy usage. The 42mm Watch GT3 musters up 7 days in normal mode and 4 days in heavy usage.
Ultimately, if you want the best battery performance, you need to grab the 46mm Watch GT3 to get it.
The verdict
Now that you have all the key information about how these two Huawei smartwatches match up, which one should you go for.
We had positive experiences with both, so whichever you go for, you're getting solid smartwatches. This is how we view it if you have to pick for one over the other.
Buy Huawei Watch GT 3 if...you want the best value for money – and the Huawei smartwatch with weeks of battery life.
Buy Huawei Watch 3 if...you want a Huawei smartwatch that's elegantly designed and has the option of LTE connectivity.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.