Huawei has launched a host of new devices, most of them wearable, at its “Fashion Next” launch event in Berlin, Germany, today, 15 May. The star of the show this time around is the Watch 5, the company’s latest tech-focused smartwatch. It was joined by two new entries to the Watch Fit series, the new in-ear Freebuds 6, and a refreshed MatePad Pro 12.2in.
It’s Watch 5 o’clock
The Watch 5’s headline feature is its “significantly enhanced” TruSense system, which now uses what the company calls ‘multi-sensing X-TAP technology’. That’s what the new side-mounted sensor array is for. It allows for health monitoring through your finger, just in case you don’t trust your own wrist.
If that wasn’t enough, the Watch 5 also gains new gesture controls, because just tapping on your smartwatch is kinda old-school these days. There is of course the customary rotating digital dial and action button too.
Additional hardware specs include the 1.43in sapphire glass-protected 466 x 466px LTPO 2.0 display and its IP68 rating.
Huawei South Africa has confirmed that the Watch 5 will be available in South Africa from its online platforms from 2 June, and from ‘selected retailers’ from July. When it launches, you’ll need to cough up at least R10,000 to take one home with you.
Get Fit like a pro
In contrast to the round, tech-packed Watch 5, the Watch Fit 4 series strips back the tech for a more purpose-driven, fitness-focused device. The Watch Fit 4 Pro’s slight frame comes in at 9.3mm thick, while both new entrants retain their squarish face.
It doesn’t have ‘pro’ in the name for nothing; expect ‘pro-level’ sport tracking, including trail running, a golf course mode, and a dive depth of up to 40m.
The Watch Fit 4 and Fit 4 Pro will join the Watch 5 in South Africa on 2 June on Huawei’s online platform with retail prices of R3,000 and R5,000, respectively. They will also be available at “selected authorised Huawei retailers” on 36-month contracts.
Tandem OLED comes to MatePad
While you can technically wear it, that’s not really what the refreshed MatePad Pro 12.2 was designed for. It joins its larger 13.2in brother in South Africa but brings with it Huawei’s Tandem OLED PaperMatte display.
That’s basically two OLED panels stacked together for higher brightness, a longer lifespan, and reduced power consumption. It comes with Huawei’s new Glide Keyboard but no stylus, unfortunately.
While we don’t yet have a confirmed local price, we do know that the MatePad Pro 12.2in will be available in South Africa towards the end of July.
Now ‘ear this
Back to things that were made to be worn, the new Huawei Freebuds 6 are said to be the company’s first open-fit earbuds to feature dual-magnetic drivers, somewhere in their small droplet design.
While they offer active noise cancellation, seeing as these are semi-open, we wouldn’t count on them to block out every external sound. But if you crank the volume high enough, you might not even notice.
Local pricing and availability for the Freebuds 6 will be confirmed at a later stage.
