Huawei Watch 6 Pro Space Edition review: Luxury meets health

Case and Build Quality

The Space Edition is a masterclass in premium construction. The 46.4 mm case is crafted from a titanium alloy, paired with a black Nano-Tech ceramic bezel. Gold-colored accents and a titanium bracelet give the smartwatch a distinctive, high-end look that is best suited for larger wrists. Weighing approximately 60 grams (without the bracelet), it is a substantial piece of hardware. A black fluoroelastomer strap is also included for sports activities.

The device holds IP68, IP69, and 5 ATM ratings, with official support for freediving up to 40 meters (though it is not intended for scuba diving). Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring eSIM for independent calling, NFC via Curve Pay, and dual-band GNSS for reliable outdoor tracking.

Interface and Connectivity Limitations

Running on HarmonyOS 7, the interface is intuitive, utilizing a touchscreen, a rotating crown, and a side button. Gesture controls, such as double-pinching, work reliably in our testing. However, the limited app ecosystem on HarmonyOS remains a significant drawback. For instance, WhatsApp cannot be installed directly on the watch. This means that while you can use eSIM for calls, you cannot use WhatsApp independently of your smartphone, which limits the practical utility of the LTE feature when you are away from your phone.

Health and Fitness: The X-Tap Advantage

The centerpiece of the health suite is the revised X-Tap sensor on the side of the case. It combines optical measurements with ECG functionality and a pressure-sensitive sensor. Huawei claims it can record up to eleven health metrics within 60 seconds. All data is consolidated in the Huawei Health app, which provides deep insights without requiring a paid subscription.

In our testing, the heart rate monitoring was highly accurate, showing only a 2.3% mean deviation when compared to a Polar H10 chest strap during cycling. While the optical sensor tracks overall exertion patterns well, it can show a slight delay in responding to rapid heart rate spikes compared to a chest strap. SpO2 monitoring is also reliable, though it may read 1–2 percentage points higher than a dedicated pulse oximeter.

Display and Navigation Performance

The Watch 6 Pro features an exceptional 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display. With ambient light enabled, we measured a peak brightness of 3,637 cd/m², making it incredibly legible even in direct sunlight. However, the thick sapphire glass cover causes distracting reflections at certain viewing angles.

The dual-band GNSS performs well for route tracking, showing only a 0.5% error margin when compared to a Garmin Venu 2 during a 9 km ride. However, we noted significant discrepancies in elevation gain; the watch recorded 81 meters of ascent compared to the Garmin's 36 meters. While terrain data comparison is complex, such fluctuations are worth noting for serious hikers.

Battery Life and Performance

Powered by the Kirin W80, the watch provides a smooth, responsive experience under HarmonyOS 7, with no noticeable stutters during menu navigation. Battery life is a strong suit: with Always-on Display (AoD) disabled, the watch lasted about six days in our tests. Enabling AoD reduces this, but the device remains competitive. Charging is efficient, reaching 100% from 8% in just 62 minutes via the included magnetic charger.

Verdict

The Huawei Watch 6 Pro Space Edition is a premium powerhouse for those prioritizing build quality, display brightness, and long battery life. It is an excellent tool for health monitoring and fitness tracking. However, the limited app selection on HarmonyOS prevents it from being a truly independent communication device via LTE. If you need a smartwatch that can fully replace your phone for messaging, this might not be the one—but for everything else, it is a top-tier contender.